bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microbial Fuel Cells for Simultaneous Electricity Generation and Organic Degradation from Slaughterhouse Wastewater
Authors: Christwardana Marcelinus , Prabowo Adrianus Kristyo , Tiarasukma Agnes Priska , Ariyanti Dessy
Published: September 2016

Microbial fuel Cell (MFC) has gained a lot of attention in recent years due to its capability in simultaneously reducing organic component and generating electricity. Here multicultural rumen microbes (RM) were used to reduce organic component of slaughterhouse wastewater in a self-fabricated MFC. The objectives of this study were to determine the MFC configuration and to find out its maximum capability in organic degradation and electricity generation. The experiments were conducted by employing, different types of electrode materials, electrode size, and substrate-RM ratio. Configuration of MFC with graphite-copper electrode 31.4 cm2 in size, and substrate-RM ratio 1:10 shows the best result with current density of 318 mA m-2, potential  2.4 V, and achieve maximum power density up to 700 mW m-2. In addition, self-fabricated MFC also shows its ability in reducing organic component by measuring the chemical oxygen demand (COD) up to 67.9% followed by increasing pH from 5.9 to 7.5. MFC operating at ambient condition (29oC and pH 7.5), is emphasized as green-technology for slaughterhouse wastewater treatment. Article History: Received March 26, 2016; Received in revised form June 20, 2016; Accepted June 25, 2016; Available onlineHow to Cite This Article: Prabowo, A.K., Tiarasukma, A.P., Christwardana, M. and Ariyanti, D. (2016) Microbial Fuel Cells for Simultaneous Electricity Generation and Organic Degradation from Slaughterhouse Wastewater. Int. Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 5(2), 107-112.http://dx.doi.org/10.14710/ijred.5.2.107-112
Energetic and exergetic Improvement of geothermal single flash cycle
Authors: Nazari Navid , Porkhial Soheil
Published: September 2016

This paper presents a detailed analysis of a new method for improving energetic and exergetic efficiencies of single flash cycle. The thermodynamic process of the new method consists of extracting a fraction of hot wellhead geothermal brine for the purpose of superheating saturated steam entering the turbine. Computer programming scripts were developed and optimized based on mathematical proposed models for the different components of the systems. The operating parameters such as separator temperature, geofluid wellhead enthalpy and geothermal source temperature are varied to investigate their effects on both net power output and turbine exhaust quality of the systems. Also, full exergy assessment was performed for the new design. The results of separator temperature optimization revealed that specific net power output of the new design can be boosted up to 8% and turbine exhaust quality can be diminished up to 50% as compared to common single flash cycle. In addition, for wells with higher discharge enthalpy, superheating process improve specific net power output even up to 10%. Finally, it was observed that the overall system exergy efficiency was approximately raised 3%. Article History: Received January 5th 2016; Received in revised form June 25th 2016; Accepted July 3rd 2016; Available onlineHow to Cite This Article: Nazari, N. and Porkhial, S. (2016). Energetic and Exergetic Improvement of Geothermal Single Flash Cycle. Int. Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 5(2),129-138.http://dx.doi.org/10.14710/ijred.5.2.129-138
Modeling Operation Problem of Micro-grids Considering Economical, Technical and Environmental issues as Mixed-Integer Non-Linear Programming
Authors: Salahi Samira , Bahramara Salah
Published: September 2016

Reduction of fossil resources, increasing the production of greenhouse gas emissions and demand growth lead to greater use of distributed energy resources in power system especially in distribution networks. Integrating these resources in order to supply local loads creates a new concept called micro-grid. Optimal operation of micro-grid in the specific time period is one of the most important problems of them. In this paper, the operation problem of micro-grids is modeled considering the economical, technical and environmental issues, as well as uncertainties related to loads, wind speed and solar radiation. The resulting model is a Mixed-Integer Non-Linear Programming (MINLP). To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model, Bisheh village in Iran is considered as a case study. The results showed that considering load curtailment costs, the power losses of the main grid, the penalties of pollutant gasses emissions and the elimination of energy subsides will tremendous impacts on the operation of microgrids. Article History: Received March 12, 2016; Received in revised form June 20, 2016; Accepted July 2nd 2016; Available onlineHow to Cite This Article: Salahi, S., and Bahramara, S. (2016) Modeling Operation Problem of Micro-grids Considering Economical, Technical and Environmental issues as Mixed-Integer Non-Linear Programming. Int. Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 5(2), 139-149.http://dx.doi.org/10.14710/ijred.5.2.139-149
Evaluating the potential energy of a heliostat field and solar receiver of solar tower power plants in the southern region of Turkey
Authors: Al-Dualimi Raad Kadhim , Söylemez Mehmet Sait
Published: September 2016

A prior study on the performance of high-efficient models for a heliostat field and solar receiver at various candidate locations (e.g., certain regions in the south of Turkey) helped determine suitable locations for installing solar tower power plant units. This study considered the fact that solar tower power plants are affected by the working conditions of a particular site, which helps realize the highest performance of the solar power tower plant. An optimized heliostat field consisting of 2650 SENER heliostats and a model of a solar receiver based on the data obtained using Gemasolar in Seville, Spain, was used as a reference in this work. Each heliostat position is specified using an optimization algorithm that refines previously proposed models, and two parameters are added to this model to further optimize the heliostat layout. Then, a sample analytical thermal model is used for predicting the radiative and convective heat losses from the receiver system. Article History: Received March 13rd 2016; Received in revised form Jun 22nd 2016; Accepted July 3rd 2016; Available onlineHow to Cite This Article: Ra'ad, K, M, A. and Mehmet, S, S. (2016), Evaluating the potential energy of a heliostat field and solar receiver of solar tower power plants in the southern region of Turkey. Int. Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 5(2), 151-161,http://dx.doi.org/10.14710/ijred.5.2.151-161
Thermal and Ash Characterization of Indonesian Bamboo and Its Potential for Solid Fuel and Waste Valorization
Authors: Purbasari Aprilina , Samadhi Tjokorde Walmiki , Bindar Yazid
Published: September 2016

Bamboo has been widely used in Indonesia for construction, handicrafts, furniture and other uses. However, the use of bamboo as a biomass for renewable energy source has not been extensively explored. This paper describes the thermal and ash characterization of three bamboo species found in Indonesia, i.e. Gigantochloa apus, Gigantochloa levis and Gigantochloa atroviolacea. Characterization of bamboo properties as a solid fuel includes proximate and ultimate analyses, calorific value measurement and thermogravimetric analysis. Ash characterization includes oxide composition analysis and phase analysis by X-Ray diffraction. The selected bamboo species have calorific value comparable with wood with low nitrogen and sulphur contents, indicating that they can be used as renewable energy sources. Bamboo ash contains high silicon so that bamboo ash has potential to be used further as building materials or engineering purposes. Ash composition analysis also indicates high alkali that can cause ash sintering and slag formation in combustion process. This implies that the combustion of bamboo requires the use of additives to reduce the risk of ash sintering and slag formation. Article History: Received May 15, 2016; Received in revised form July 2nd, 2016; Accepted July 14th, 2016; Available online How to Cite This Article: Purbasari, A., Samadhi, T.W. & Bindar, Y. (2016) Thermal and Ash Characterization of Indonesian Bamboo and its Potential for Solid Fuel and Waste Valorization. Int. Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 5(2), 95-100.http://dx.doi.org/10.14710/ijred.5.2.96-100
Efektivitas Kelembagaan Pemerintah dalam Integrasi Pola Pengelolaan Sumber Daya Air dalam RTRW (Studi Kasus: Provinsi Jawa Tengah)
Authors: Junita Silviani , Buchori Imam
Published: September 2016

The effectiveness of integration in water resources management in spatial planning can be achieved if there is a harmonious coordination between central government and local government. This research is aimed to analyze the role and the coordination pattern of inter-sectoral institutions relate to water resource planning and management in RTRW. This research is using quantitative approach. The analysis is conducted to analysis the role and the coordination in inter-sectoral institutional and to analysis the effectiveness of the successful integration of water resources management in spatial planning. The analysis result shows that there the government institutions integrated with the water resources management in spatial planning is still ineffective because there are the differences of substance regulation between water resources management and spatial planning. So, the recommendation is to make a coordination forum to accommodate the interests of water resources and spatial planning so there is an agreement in the water resources management in the spatial planning regulation.
Mesothelial cell transplantation: history, challenges and future directions
Authors: Kawanishi Kunio
Published: September 2016

Mesothelial cells line the surface of the pleura, pericardium, peritoneum and internal reproductive organs. One of their main functions is to act as a non-adhesive barrier to protect against physical damage, however, over the past decades their physiological and pathological properties have been revealed in association with a variety of conditions and diseases. Mesothelium has been used in surgical operations in clinical settings, such as omental patching for perforated peptic ulcers and in glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium for aortic valve reconstruction. Various methods for mesothelial cell transplantation have also been established and developed, particularly within the area of tissue engineering, including scaffold and non-scaffold cell sheet technologies. However, the use of mesothelial cell transplantation in patients remains challenging, as it requires additional operations under general anesthesia in order to obtain enough intact cells for culture. Moreover, the current methods of mesothelial cell transplantation are expensive and are not yet available in clinical practice. This review firstly summarizes the history of the use of mesothelial cell transplantation in tissue engineering, and then critically discusses the barriers for the clinical application of mesothelial cell transplantation. Finally, the recent developments in xenotransplantation technologies are discussed to evaluate other feasible alternatives to mesothelial cell transplantation.
Peripheral blood leukocyte populations and urinary neopterin during chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer
Authors: Králíčková Pavlína , Vokurková Doris , Haviger Jiří , Řezáčová Vladimíra , Solichová Dagmar , Krčmová Lenka Kujovská , Melichar Bohuslav , Havlík Roman
Published: September 2016

The aim of the present study was to investigate serial changes in urinary neopterin and the populations of peripheral blood lymphocytes in breast cancer patients treated with primary chemotherapy. Thirty patients with breast cancer, including 20 patients undergoing primary chemotherapy treated with the combination of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide with sequential administration of paclitaxel-based therapy (cohort A), and 10 patients presenting for first-line therapy of metastatic disease and treated with the combination of bevacizumab, taxane and carboplatin (cohort M) were studied. Healthy female blood donors served as control group. Significant differences were observed in baseline relative and absolute counts of peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations between both patient cohorts and controls. Significant changes of peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations were also observed during the course of chemotherapy. However, no significant changes of urinary neopterin concentrations and no correlation between urinary neopterin and peripheral blood lymphocyte counts were observed. In conclusion, present data demonstrate the presence of significant differences in peripheral blood leukocyte phenotype in breast cancer patients even before the start of primary chemotherapy. Significant changes were observed during the course of chemotherapy.
Sorption behavior of cesium, cobalt and europium radionuclides onto hydroxyl magnesium silicate
Authors: Hamed Mostafa M. , Holiel M. , Ahmed I. M.
Published: September 2016

The radioactive wastes from different activities have to be safely disposed of and isolated from the human environment. The retardation of radioactive materials by designed barriers is originally controlled by the sorption ability of the mineral compositions. In this work, a naturally available mineral composite, a hydroxyl magnesium silicate (HMS) was investigated as potential natural inorganic sorbent for the retention of long-lived radionuclides (134Cs, 60Co and 152+154Eu) from aqueous solutions. The factors affecting the sorption process, such as contact time and pH were evaluated. Furthermore X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal and thermogravimetry analyses (DTA/TGA) measurements were examined in order to assess the physicochemical properties of the magnesium silicate mineral. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms fitted the result s substantially better than the Flory–Huggins isotherm and the sorption was found to follow pseudo-first order kinetic model. The proposed mineral has been successfully applied for the sorption of 134Cs, 60Co and 152+154Eu radionuclides from real radioactive waste. The results indicated that about 97.4–99% of 134Cs, 60Co and 152+154Eu radionuclides were efficiently retained onto the HMS mineral. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that the HMS mineral is an economic and efficient retaining material for environmental hazardous migration and/or leakage of some radionuclides such as 134Cs, 60Co and 152+154Eu and trivalent actinide (241Am, 242mAm and 243Am) ions. Therefore, this study could be used as a starting point to establish and consider that mineral as an engineered barrier around the disposal facilities at the nuclear activity centres.
Silver-based getters for 129I removal from low-activity waste
Authors: Asmussen R. Matthew , Neeway James J. , Lawter Amanda R. , Wilson Andrew , Qafoku Nikolla P.
Published: September 2016

A prominent radionuclide of concern in nuclear wastes, 129I, is present in low-activity wastes (LAW) at the Hanford site. Several Ag-containing materials were tested as immobilization agents, or “getters”, for I (as iodide, I−) removal from deionized (DI) water and a liquid LAW simulant: Ag impregnated activate carbon (Ag–C), Ag exchanged zeolite (Ag–Z), and argentite. In anoxic batch experiments with DI water, the Ag–C and argentite were most effective, with maximum Kd values of 6.2 × 105 mL/g for the Ag–C and 3.7 × 105 mL/g for the argentite after 15 days. Surface area and Ag content were found to influence the performance of the getters in DI water. In the anoxic batch experiments with LAW simulant, Ag–Z vastly outperformed the other getters with Kd values of 2.2 × 104 mL/g at 2 h, which held steady until 15 days, compared with 1.8 × 103 mL/g reached at 15 days by the argentite. All getters were stable over long periods of time (i.e. 40 days) in DI water, while the Ag–Z and argentite were also stable in the LAW simulant. Ag–Z was found to have consistent I removal upon crushing to a smaller particle size and in the presence of O2, making it a strong candidate for the treatment of LAW containing I.
Rawls on Kantian Constructivism
Authors: Jezzi Nathaniel
Published: September 2016

John Rawls’s 1980 Dewey Lectures are widely acknowledged to represent the locus classicus for contemporary discussions of moral constructivism. Nevertheless, few published works have engaged with the significant interpretive challenges one finds in these lectures, and those that have fail to offer a satisfactory reading of the view that Rawls presents there or the place the lectures occupy in the development of Rawls's thinking. Indeed, there is a surprising lack of consensus about how best to interpret the constructivism of these lectures. In this paper, I argue that the constructivism presented in the Dewey Lectures is best understood as involving the view that moral truth is correspondence with procedurally-determined, stance-dependent facts. Employing Rawls’s discussion of rational intuitionism as a foil, I defend this reading against textual discrepancies from within the lectures, as well as those one finds across Rawls’s other works. In addition to settling interpretive disputes, I draw out the ways in which this understanding of Kantian constructivism fits within the broader comparative project in ‘moral theory’ that Rawls inherits from Sidgwick.
Neural Correlates of the Time Marker for the Perception of Event Timing
Authors: Amano Kaoru , Qi Liang , Terada Yoshikazu , Nishida Shin’ya
Published: September 2016

While sensory processing latency, inferred from the manual reaction time (RT), is substantially affected by diverse stimulus parameters, subjective temporal judgments are relatively accurate. The neural mechanisms underlying this timing perception remain obscure. Here, we measured human neural activity by magnetoencephalography while participants performed a simultaneity judgment task between the onset of random-dot coherent motion and a beep. In a separate session, participants performed an RT task for the same stimuli. We analyzed the relationship between neural activity evoked by motion onset and point of subjective simultaneity (PSS) or RT. The effect of motion coherence was smaller for PSS than RT, but changes in RT and PSS could both be predicted by the time at which an integrated sensory response crossed a threshold. The task differences could be ascribed to the lower threshold for PSS than for RT. In agreement with the psychophysical threshold difference, the participants reported longer delays in their motor response from the subjective motion onset for weaker stimuli. However, they could not judge the timing of stimuli weaker than the detection threshold. A possible interpretation of the present findings is that the brain assigns the time marker for timing perception prior to stimulus detection, but the time marker is available only after stimulus detection.
Metabolic profiling of cholesterol and sex steroid hormones to monitor urological diseases
Authors: Moon Ju-Yeon , Choi Man Ho , Kim Jayoung
Published: September 2016

Cholesterol and sex steroid hormones including androgens and estrogens play a critical role in the development and progression of urological diseases such as prostate cancer. This disease remains the most commonly diagnosed malignant tumor in men and is the leading cause of death from different cancers. Attempts to understand the role of cholesterol and steroid metabolism in urological diseases have been ongoing for many years, but despite this, our mechanistic and translational understanding remains elusive. In order to further evaluate the problem, we have taken an interest in metabolomics; a discipline dedicated to the systematic study of biologically active metabolites in cells, tissues, hair and biofluids. Recently, we provided evidence that a quantitative measurement of cholesterol and sex steroid metabolites can be successfully achieved using hair of human and mouse models. The overall goal of this short review article is to introduce current metabolomic technologies for the quantitative biomarker assay development and also to provide new insight into understanding the underlying mechanisms that trigger the pathological condition. Furthermore, this review will place a particular emphasis on how to prepare biospecimens (e.g., hair fiber), quantify molecular profiles and assess their clinical significance in various urological diseases.
Targeting CDK9: a promising therapeutic opportunity in prostate cancer
Authors: Rahaman Muhammed H , Kumarasiri Malika , Mekonnen Laychiluh B , Yu Mingfeng , Diab Sarah , Albrecht Hugo , Milne Robert W , Wang Shudong
Published: September 2016

Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) is a key transcriptional regulator and a lucrative target for cancer treatment. Targeting CDK9 can effectively confine the hyperactivity of androgen receptor and the constitutive expression of anti-apoptotic proteins; both being main causes of prostate cancer (PCa) development and progression. In castrate-resistant PCa, traditional therapies that only target androgen receptor (AR) have become obsolete due to reprograming in AR activity to make the cells independent of androgen. CDK9 inhibitors may provide a new and better therapeutic opportunity over traditional treatment options by targeting both androgen receptor activity and anti-apoptotic proteins, improving the chances of positive outcomes, especially in patients with the advanced disease. This review focuses on biological functions of CDK9, its involvement with AR and the potential for therapeutic opportunities in PCa treatment.
Three-Dimensional Printing as an Interdisciplinary Communication Tool: Preparing for Removal of a Giant Renal Tumor and Atrium Neoplastic Mass
Authors: Golab Adam , Slojewski Marcin , Brykczynski Miroslaw , Lukowiak Magdalena , Boehlke Marek , Matias Daniel , Smektala Tomasz
Published: September 2016

Three-dimensional (3D) printing involves preparing 3D objects from a digital model. These models can be used to plan and practice surgery. We used 3D printing to plan for a rare complicated surgery involving the removal of a renal tumor and neoplastic mass, which reached the heart atrium. A printed kidney model was an essential element of communication for physicians with different specializations.
A Case of Neonatal Heart Failure Caused by Left Ventricular Diverticulum: Successful ECMO Support Application
Authors: Gocen Ugur , Atalay Atakan , Salih Orhan Kemal
Published: September 2016

Congenital left ventricular diverticulum is a rare cardiac anomaly. During the newborn period, symptomatic patients are diagnosed with heart failure findings. We present a 23-day-old male newborn with congenital left ventricular diverticulum diagnosed during fetal echocardiographic examination. After the birth, the patient had heart failure symptoms and his echocardiographic examination showed low cardiac ejection fraction. Diverticulum was operated with endoventricular circular patch plasty (DOR) technique, and after, cardiopulmonary bypass venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support was performed because of low cardiac output syndrome. On postoperative day 17, he was discharged with no problem.
Pain and the Quality of Life Following Robotic Assisted Minimally Invasive Surgery
Authors: Ezelsoy Mehmet , Oral Kerem , Caynak Baris , Bayramoglu Zehra , Akpinar Belhhan
Published: September 2016

Objective: Minimally invasive bypass grafting is a promising surgical treatment in proximal LAD stenosis procedures. The main goal of this study was to make comparisons between robotically assisted minimally invasive coronary bypass surgery and conventional surgery in isolated proximal LAD lesions in terms of pain and quality of life improvement.
Methods: The study contains patients with proximal LAD lesions who were treated with robotically assisted minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery and conventional bypass surgery between June 2005 and November 2012. Fifty patients treated with coronary bypass with cardiopulmonary bypass and complete sternotomy were categorized as Group 1. Fifty patients who applied for robotically assisted minimally invasive bypass surgery were categorized as Group 2. The evaluations of pain and quality of life were done according to the Verbal Rating Scale (VRS) and SF-36 health survey questionnaire, respectively.
Results: The conventional bypass group and robotic group had 4.8 ± 1.9 years and 4.3 ± 1.6 years mean follow-up time, respectively. The robotic bypass group had a significantly shorter ICU stay and hospital stay than the conventional bypass group (P < .05). The pain score was higher in the robotic bypass group on the 1st postoperative day
(P < .05), but the score on the 4th postoperative day was higher in the conventional bypass group (P < .05). In terms of domains of the SF-36 questionnaire, patient scores were significantly higher in patients who were operated with robotically assisted minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) procedure than in patients who were operated with conventional bypass technique.
Conclusion: Patients operated with robotically assisted MIDCAB procedure had results with lesser pain, shorter ICU stay, and shorter hospital stay than the other group in isolated proximal LAD stenosis. The same group also had better quality of life results according to the SF-36 questionnaire results.
La relación entre los estilos de aprendizaje y el uso de las tecnologías de información y comunicación en educación de personas adultas
Authors: Acosta-Castillo Lorena
Published: September 2016

This research aimed to identify the learning styles and the strategies used by adult students to involve ICTs in their knowledge. To achieve this, a qualitative research approach was carried out. The participants were members of the community who participated in a project called “Literacy in the Information Management of a University Corporation”. The group consisted of 100 persons; their ages ranged between 40 and 59 years. The instruments used were the VARK inventory for learning styles, Observation and a field journal. The VARK inventory identified the learning styles used by adults. The Observation allowed the understanding of the environment or the context of these students, their relations with peers and with their teachers, and also to analyze the strategies used to develop topics through TICs integration. One of the main findings obtained was that 70% of the adult students have a multimodal learning style; for instance, they process knowledge in more than one way.
Aportaciones desde la minería de datos al proceso de captación de matrícula en Instituciones de Educación Superior particulares.
Authors: Estrada-Danell Rafael Isaac , Zamarripa-Franco Roman Alberto , Zúñiga-Garay Pilar Giselle , Martínez-Trejo Isaías
Published: September 2016

This article aims to analyze how data mining (DM) optimizes the enrollment process, with the intention of designing a predictive model to manage private enrollment for higher education institutions of Mexico. It analyzes the current status of the higher education institutions in relation to its enrollment process and the application of the DM. With a correlational method, a dataset (DS) was used to model an entropy decision tree with the help of Rapid Miner software. The results show that it is possible to build and test a predictive model management of private enrollment for higher education institutions of Mexico as the ZAM&EST model proposed by the authors.
Hacia una cultura pedagógica inclusiva: Experiencias desde la práctica universitaria
Authors: Fernández-Fernández Iliana María , Veliz-Briones Vicente Félix , Ruiz-Cedeño Ana Isabel
Published: September 2016

In this paper, we deal with conceptual and methodological elements to develop the pedagogical inclusive competence of the professors of higher education in Ecuador. We analyze the current conceptions and the main drawbacks related to the inclusion process in the university environment nowadays. We support a theoretical procedural model, and from the practical standpoint, we implemented the methodological procedures structured in a map of processes to reach an inclusive formative process. The main results are given in the development of the pedagogical inclusive competence and the increase of the inclusion culture at the university, and revealed in the improvement of university curriculum from an inclusive approach, the betterment of the physical and technological infrastructure, the permanent upgrading of professors and putting into practice policies of affirmative action.
Abordajes de la educación sexual en universidades públicas costarricenses: Un estudio exploratorio
Authors: Preinfalk-Fernández María Luisa
Published: September 2016

This research paper aims to show the panorama and scope of the current existing sex education practices carried out by the Costa Rican public universities. It analyzes different initiatives, its theoretical approaches that guide the actions, their purposes and other relevant aspects. The analysis includes secondary information as well as the point of view of students and university staff, as inputs for decision-making aimed at improving the overall education of young people. The findings take part of an exploratory research based on qualitative and quantitative methodologies based on gender and constructionism perspective. The information was gathered via the application of a questionnaire to a specific uneven stratified cluster groups, composed by 766 enrolled undergraduate students since first semester 2011 at Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica. The statistical margin of error was 1.5% and the confidence level of 95%. In addition, two focus groups with students and depth interviews with 16 persons were made. Data were tabulated with CSPRO software and analyzed using R software.  The findings suggest that Costa Rican universities recognize the importance of sex education as an essential part of overall development of students. Most of the initiatives are institutionalized; however, the lack of guidelines or policies on the subject, in most institutions, affects quality, consolidation and expansion of services. The need to strengthen and expand training activities on sexuality was identified as well. The students have a high opinion about the services offered, but few of them use these services, because they are perceived as less accessible and friendly. This paper concludes that it is a priority to maintain and strengthen existing initiatives on sexual education, so that they can effectively satisfy the needs of youth, with timely interventions and quality to enjoy a healthy and safe sexuality free from violence.
Perspectiva aptitudinal-vocacional de bachilleres de la región capital de Venezuela: Prueba diagnóstica aptitudinal-vocacional de la Universidad Nacional Experimental de la Fuerza Armada (caso de estudio)
Authors: Boada Antonio José , Montilla Ivelis , Colliva Maristella
Published: September 2016

This paper presents the findings of a comparative study which contrasts the assessment of aptitudinal and vocational profiles of secondary school graduate students with national average results; the selected students were taking the induction course at the National Experimental University of the Armed Forces (UNEFA), given in Eastern Miranda (Guarenas-Guatire), Western Miranda (Ocumare del Tuy, Los Teques, and Santa Teresa del Tuy), and Vargas State. For each location, those results are hierarchically presented in the following way: Verbal ability, numeric ability and logic-abstract knowledge. The vocational level, on the other hand, was measured with a psychometric test related to six dimensions or strengths: knowledge, courage, value, humanity, justice, temperance and level-headedness of character of the subjects in study. Thus, once the aptitudinal and vocational profiles assessment of the population, that took the diagnostic test, was consolidated, results were automatically compared with the profile criteria of the careers offered by UNEFA. By means of the percentage variance formula, it was found that the secondary school graduates of Caracas and Vargas showed an aptitudinal-vocational maturity significantly higher than those in Miranda regions and the national average results. This differed from the results obtained by the secondary school graduate students of Miranda regions whose results were lower than in relation to the national average.
El uso de recursos didácticos de la química para estudiantes, en los colegios académicos diurnos de los circuitos 09 y 11, San José, Costa Rica
Authors: Chacón-Ramírez Nancy , Saborío-García Franklin , Nova-Bustos Nidya
Published: September 2016

This article presents the results of an investigation conducted to identify which didactic materials teachers have to teach chemistry in two academic secondary schools of the school districts 09 and 11. This research responds to a study complemented with the qualitative approach, given the nature of categories of analysis and data collected. The techniques and instruments used were questionnaires, interviews and descriptive observation. The population studied consisted of two teachers and 130 students. The main results of the investigation show that one of the schools studied has a wide range of resources to carry out experimental activities with their students, while the other academic school has neither laboratory nor proper equipment for such activities. Part of the student population interviewed believes that the lessons of chemistry are interesting, but others believe otherwise, since they consider them as boring and less dynamic. It can be proposed to work in the students’ construction of knowledge so that they would be interested in chemistry and, from work and interest, they could construct their knowledge significantly.
Desigualdad en el acceso educativo en México: Un estudio con sujetos egresados de un bachillerato tecnológico de alto desempeño
Authors: Pérez-Santiago Fernando , Villarruel-Fuentes Manuel
Published: September 2016

Access to the higher education system in Mexico has been characterized by educational inequalities explained by social and reproductionist currents. The phenomenon occurs in graduate students with a high school diploma and coming from different contexts (social, cultural, economic, institutional and academic ones) that create a process of transition far away from equal opportunities. Therefore, the differences due to cultural diversity do not generate equitable access to higher education institutions. The aim of this study was to identify the social, cultural and academic factors affecting the access to or the abandonment of the academic education of students with expectations of entering the higher education system. The research was based on the results obtained from forty technicians who studied at a vocational high school with high academic performance in Mexico, and were supposed to enter the higher level. It was an exploratory descriptive investigation with qualitative approach, using two multiple-choice item questionnaires whose results were analyzed interpretively. The sampling was non-probability, with the technique of “snowball” and “convenience”. The results showed that the level of parents’ schooling, social relations, and academic career of graduates were decisive to enter the higher education; so it can be concluded that the students’ origin generate inequality in educational achievement.
Diversidad: Una mirada desde las concepciones del colectivo profesional en orientación. Retos y desafíos
Authors: Artavia-Aguilar Cindy Vanessa , Campos-Hernandez Luis Roberto
Published: September 2016

Social changes and new world paradigms require reflection on professional interventions in an increasingly diverse context. The analysis of the theory and practice of professional work in Guidance becomes a priority constant. This research aims to collect conceptions built on the diversity concept by a group of counselors during their professional excersice and from their experiences in the Costa Rican Education System and the research also tries to define the interventions and professional conditions necessary to meet diversity, as a concept, from the discipline. The research has a qualitative approach; it was performed with 10 professionals in Guidance of the Costa Rican Education System. They were selected by convenience and were interviewed using an open question questionnaire. The information obtained was systematized and presented in three categories related to analysis matrices: diversity concept, diversity in Counseling professional intervention and proposals and conditions to approach diversity from the discipline. The main findings focus on the reflection of professional work in developing the concept diversity as a socio-personal construct, the interventions rooted in daily practice and professional features to address diversity that are related to knowledge, sensitivity, innovation , flexibility, professional ethics and vocation.
La violencia nuestra de cada día: Entenderla para erradicarla
Authors: Rivera-Acevedo Manuel Antonio
Published: September 2016

The increase of violent episodes in the most diverse scenarios and the most varied manifestations makes us wonder if violence is a permanent characteristic in lives of both people and countries, or if it can be eradicated with specific actions. Mental health professions, such as counseling, psychology, and social work, in tandem with professionals working in academic scenarios, have an unavoidable social responsibility in caring for so many people and groups who have seen their lives cut short by violence. Both professional classes must work together in promoting new ways of thinking about violence and peace conducting to specific actions that eradicate the former and promote the latter.
Análisis de la política de transformación productiva colombiana, basada en la incorporación de la ciencia, la tecnología y la innovación, para el mejoramiento de la competitividad de Colombia entre los años 2010 y 2014
Authors: Lopez-Arellano Hernán , Montoya-Grajales William David
Published: September 2016

This article aims to describe and analyze the Colombian economic transformation policy, which is based in the improvement of innovation process in institutions, companies and economic clusters. It shows sluggish execution of the Colombian economic transformation policy, the objectives of this policy, and the economic and social challenges the government faced from 2010 to 2014. The authors used a document review process as the main methodology to obtain the key data, information and facts to analyze and describe that period of time.
La lectura desde el enfoque del Ministerio de Educación y el enfoque dialógico de la pedagogía “Enlazando mundos”
Authors: Del Pino-Sepúlveda Miguel , Del Pino-Sepúlveda Alejandra , Pincheira-Fuentealba David
Published: September 2016

This research aims to characterize the curriculum, the didactics and the assessment promoted by the Ministry of Education of Chili, and the dialogic pedagogy “Enlazando Mundos” (Bridging Worlds). This is a qualitative study based on the dialogic-Kishu Kimkelay Ta Che research approach, with a design of two case studies derived from documentary sources. The procedure to collect and construct knowledge is the interpretation of the dialogic speech; as a data analysis, it focuses on pedagogical definitions from the perspective of transformative, excluding and conservative dimensions, in order to compare-interpret and reflect on educational inputs in relation to reading in a course of language and communication. As a result, it is observed the incongruity from the State in communicative curriculum design and its operational proposal, and in the regionalized construction the dialogic pedagogy “Enlazando Mundos” (Bridging Worlds) is carrying out.
Analyzing the Measurement Equivalence of a Translated Test in a Statewide Assessment Program
Authors: Carvajal-Espinoza Jorge , Welch Greg
Published: September 2016

When tests are translated into one or more languages, the question of the equivalence of items across language forms arises. This equivalence can be assessed at the scale level by means of a multiple group confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in the context of structural equation modeling. This study examined the measurement equivalence of a Spanish translated version of a statewide Mathematics test originally constructed in English by using a multi-group CFA approach. The study used samples of native speakers of the target language of the translation taking the test in both the source and target language, specifically Hispanics taking the test in English and Spanish. Test items were grouped in twelve facet-representative parcels. The parceling was accomplished by grouping items that corresponded to similar content and computing an average for each parcel. Four models were fitted to examine the equivalence of the test across groups. The multi-group CFA fixed factor loadings across groups and results supported the equivalence of the two language versions (English and Spanish) of the test. The statistical techniques implemented in this study can also be used to address the performance on a test based on dichotomous or dichotomized variables such as gender, socioeconomic status, geographic location and other variables of interest.
Die Vergabe von Rettungsdienstleistungsaufträgen und -konzessionen nach neuem Vergaberecht
Authors: Jaeger Wolfgang
Published: September 2016

Keine der Vorschriften des neuen deutschen Vergaberechts ist in ihrer Auslegung und in ihrer Wirksamkeit so umstritten wie § 107 Abs. 1 Nr. 4 GWB. Mit diesem Beitrag soll versucht werden, Klarheit in diesem Streit zu gewinnen.
“Minimum Advertised Price” policies and the dividing line between price and non-price restraints – An analysis under U.S. antitrust and EU competition law in view of recent UK decisions
Authors: Schlimpert Denis
Published: September 2016

“Minimum Advertised Price” (MAP) policies prohibit retailers from advertising prices below a certain amount fixed by their suppliers. Legally, they leave the final decision on resale pricing to the retailers. However, given that, especially in the context of online sales, the communication of discounts through advertising is one of the retailers’ “key incentives” for price competition, MAP policies raise specific issues as to where the dividing line between (unlawful) price and (lawful) non-price restraints in vertical agreements is drawn. In this respect, the following contribution analyses MAP policies both under U.S. antitrust and EU competition law. With regard to the latter, it will particularly focus on two recent UK decisions.
Pratarmė
Authors: Aramavičiūtė Vanda
Published: September 2016

Leidinio 17-ąjį tomą sudaro trys skyria
Prasmė – prasmės ieška – gyvenimo prasmė
Authors: Wagner Harald
Published: September 2016

Šiuo straipsniu pradedamas keturių esė ciklas, skirtas „prasmės - prasmės ieškos - gyvenimo prasmės" temoms tyrinėti. Gyvenimo prasmės klausimas yra modernaus žmogaus rūpestis. Šis rūpestis išreiškia orientacijos netektį, saugumo ir pasisekusio gyvenimo iešką. Atsakymų į gyvenimo prasmės klausimą siūloma daug ir įvairiose srityse, deja, dažnai šios diskusijos ir pamąstymai vyksta neapibrėžus aiškių sąvokų ir įsivaizdavimo pagrindo. Šiuo straipsniu siekiama apžvelgti vykstančią diskusiją, apibrėžti gyvenimo prasmės klausimo tyrinėjimo ribas ir pasiūlyti esmines sąvokas.
Studentų kritinio mąstymo dispozicijų ir įgūdžių kaitos galimybės
Authors: Rimienė Vaiva
Published: September 2016

Straipsnyje pateikiama kritinio mąstymo samprata, struktūra, pristatomi studentų kritinio mąstymo dispozicijų ir įgūdžių tyrimo rezultatai, nagrinėjamos kritinio mąstymo ugdymo galimybės.
Internacionalizacijos iššūkiai Lietuvos aukštajam mokslui
Authors: Želvys Rimantas
Published: September 2016

Straipsnyje aptariama internacionalizacijos įtaka Lietuvos aukštojo mokslo raidai. Aukštojo mokslo internacionalizacija - vienas iš neišvengiamų globalizacijos padarinių. Daugelyje pasaulio šalių internacionalizacija laikoma prioritetine aukštojo mokslo plėtros kryptimi, tačiau jos padariniai nėra vien teigiami. Didžiausią finansinę naudą iš tarptautinio bendradarbiavimo gauna palyginti nedaug labiausiai išsivysčiusių šalių, įdiegusių rinkos santykius savo aukštojo mokslo sistemose ir įvedusių mokamas studijas. O mažesnėms šalims ir jų gimtosioms kalboms švietimo internacionalizacija gali būti ne tik naudinga, bet ir žalinga. Lietuva taip pat susidūria tiek su teigiamais, tiek su neigiamais aukštojo mokslo internacionalizacijos padariniais. Geresnis internacionalizacijos keliamų iššūkių pažinimas leistų Lietuvai sėkmingiau formuoti savo aukštojo mokslo politiką.
B. Bitino knygos „Edukologinis tyrimas: sistema ir procesas“ stiliaus ypatumai
Authors: Bitinienė Audronė
Published: September 2016

Profesoriaus Bronislovo Bitino knygos „Edukologinis tyrimas: sistema ir procesas” recenzija.
Kompetencijomis grįsto mokymosi taikymo aukštajame moksle iššūkiai
Authors: Želvys Rimantas , Akzholova Aliya
Published: September 2016

Bolonijos procesas – bendros Europos aukštojo mokslo erdvės sukūrimas – yra vienas iš ambicin­giausių pastarojo meto švietimo projektų. Sudedamų­jų Bolonijos proceso dalių – perėjimo prie tripakopio aukštojo mokslo modelio bei europinės kreditų kau­pimo ir perkėlimo sistemos įdiegimas sulaukė nevie­nodo Vakarų akademinės bendruomenės vertinimo. Kompetencijomis grįsto mokymosi idėja Vakarų ša­lių universitetuose turi ir šalininkų, ir priešininkų, o buvusiose socialistinėse šalyse visos šios iniciatyvos priimamos kaip savaime suprantamos ir nėra kves­tionuojamos. Straipsnio tikslas – išanalizuoti kompe­tencijomis grįsto mokymosi taikymo iššūkius. Tyrimo objektas – kompetencijomis grįsto mokymosi modelis aukštajame moksle. Tyrimo metodai – dokumentų ir mokslinės literatūros analizė. Kritiškai šio modelio atžvilgiu nusiteikę Vakarų mokslininkai, o ypač kritinės pedagogikos atstovai savo publikacijose mini, kad viena iš kompetenci­jomis grįsto mokymosi problemų tai, kad nėra ben­dro kompetencijos apibrėžimo, ir skirtingai supran­tama kompetencijos struktūra. Jie taip pat nurodo, kad ideologinis kompetencijomis grįsto mokymosi pagrindas yra biheviorizmas, todėl šiam modeliui būdingas mechanistinis ir redukcionistinis požiūris į mokymąsi. Kritikai teigia, kad kompetencijomis grįstas modelis labiau tinka profesiniam mokymui, o ne aukščiausio lygio specialistams rengti, ir sieja jį su naująja viešąja vadyba bei bandymais labiau kontroliuoti akademinę veiklą. Autoriai nurodo, kad nėra moksliškai pagrįstų ir patikimų duomenų, leidžiančių teigti, kad kompetencijomis grįstas mokymasis yra veiksmingesnė mokymosi forma. Lietuvių autoriai kompetencijomis grįsto mokymosi nekvestionuoja. Vienintelės publikacijose išsakomos abejonės yra susijusios su nevienodu kompetencijos termino ir struktūros supratimu. Rusijos mokslininkai taip pat neabejoja kompetencijomis grįsto mokymosi tiks­lingumu. Maža to, jie teigia, kad jau sovietinėje pe­dagogikoje galima įžvelgti kompetencijomis grįsto mokymosi užuomazgų. Tiesa, kai kurie iš jų svarsto, ar nebūtų pakakę nuo seno žinomos gebėjimų sąvo­kos, o kompetencijos termino atsiradimą traktuoja ne kaip gairę, žyminčią naują mokymosi paradigmą, bet kaip bandymą suvienodinti Bolonijos proceso šaly­se vartojamą terminiją. Kazachijos autoriai taip pat be išlygų priima kompetencijomis grįsto mokymosi idėją, nors ir sutinka, kad yra kompetencijos termino apibrėžimo problema. Pagrindinė straipsnio išvada – kompetencijomis grįstas mokymasis gali būti sėkmingai įdiegtas ir tai­komas, tačiau tam būtina gerai išstudijuoti visus jo pranašumus ir trūkumus ir vengti taikyti jį kaip ne­pajudinamą dogmą, kurios nebūtų galima kūrybiškai interpretuoti.