bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Qur'an in the Novels of Naguib Mahfouz (in Arabic)
Authors: Haleem M.A.S. Abdel
Published: November 2014

With a rich, productive career spanning over 60 years, culminating in the award of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1988, Naguib Mahfouz's literary works have naturally attracted numerous studies and critiques. These studies have covered a great many aspects of Mahfouz's creative writing, but, perhaps because of the secular, modern education Mahfouz received (both at school and in the Department of Philosophy in Cairo University), and his personal lifestyle, they have concentrated on the socialist, materialist, and structural aspects of his work. Perhaps because of this, one important aspect of his writing has largely escaped attention: his artistic use of the language of the Qur'an. Mahfouz does not signal that a given phrase or reference is Qur'anic, leaving it to blend with the text, and making it easy to miss the fact that the Qur'an played any part in Mahfouz's use of language. However, to a reader who knows the Qur'an by heart the presence of Qur'anic language in his works is obvious, and equally obvious is Mahfouz's artistic talent in using it. Eventually, he himself announced at the end of his life that he had always had an intimate interest in the Qur'an, read it daily, and benefited from it. This article seeks to demonstrate the ubiquitous presence of Qur'anic language in Mahfouz's works, and the skill and subtlety with which he used it.
The Impact of the Qur'an on Twentieth-Century Urdu Poetry (in Arabic)
Authors: Rahman Rizwanur
Published: November 2014

The twentieth century was witness to two major poetic personalities on the Indian literary scene, both of whom were inspired by the message of the Qur'an: Khwaja Alfat Husayn Hali (d. 1914) and Muhammad Iqbal (d. 1938). In his Musaddas, Hali versified the rise and fall of Islamic civilisation, and through his poetry he sought to inculcate the teachings of the Qur'an in the hearts of the Indian people. As for Iqbal, he presented his Islamic philosophy through the medium of Urdu poetry, referencing Qur'anic stories, verses, and teachings in works such as Baange-e-Dara and Baal-e-Jibrail.

This article seeks to analyse the Qur'anic imagery that features extensively in Hali's and Iqbal's poetic works. The Musaddas, for example, speaks of the Muslim confraternity enshrined in the Qur'anic verse, You were enemies of each other but Allah aroused a sense of fraternity in your heart and you became brothers (Q. 3:103). Similarly, Iqbal's Shikwah and Jawāb-e-Shikwah are full of Qur'anic similes, metaphors, and images, as well as references to various prophets, including Moses, Abraham, and Muḥammad. Thus, Iqbal enlists the verse God is the Light of the heavens and the earth (Q. 24:35), for example, to show that man attains enlightenment because of the Light of God which is cast upon each and every object in the universe.
Evaluation of Artificial Neural Network-Based Temperature Control for Optimum Operation of Building Envelopes
Authors: Moon Jin , Lee Ji-Hyun , Kim Sooyoung
Published: November 2014

This study aims at developing an indoor temperature control method that could provide comfortable thermal conditions by integrating heating system control and the opening conditions of building envelopes. Artificial neural network (ANN)-based temperature control logic was developed for the control of heating systems and openings at the building envelopes in a predictive and adaptive manner. Numerical comparative performance tests for the ANN-based temperature control logic and conventional non-ANN-based counterpart were conducted for single skin enveloped and double skin enveloped buildings after the simulation program was validated by comparing the simulation and the field measurement results. Analysis results revealed that the ANN-based control logic improved the indoor temperature environment with an increased comfortable temperature period and decreased overshoot and undershoot of temperatures outside of the operating range. The proposed logic did not show significant superiority in energy efficiency over the conventional logic. The ANN-based temperature control logic was able to maintain the indoor temperature more comfortably and with more stability within the operating range due to the predictive and adaptive features of ANN models.
Possibilities and Limitations of Spatially Explicit Site Index Modelling for Spruce Based on National Forest Inventory Data and Digital Maps of Soil and Climate in Bavaria (SE Germany)
Authors: Brandl Susanne , Falk Wolfgang , Klemmt Hans-Joachim , Stricker Georg , Bender Andreas , Rötzer Thomas , Pretzsch Hans
Published: November 2014

Combining national forest inventory (NFI) data with digital site maps of high resolution enables spatially explicit predictions of site productivity. The aim of this study is to explore the possibilities and limitations of this database to analyze the environmental dependency of height-growth of Norway spruce and to predict site index (SI) on a scale that is relevant for local forest management. The study region is the German federal state of Bavaria. The exploratory methods comprise significance tests and hypervolume-analysis. SI is modeled with a Generalized Additive Model (GAM). In a second step the residuals are modeled using Boosted Regression Trees (BRT). The interaction between temperature regime and water supply strongly determined height growth. At sites with very similar temperature regime and water supply, greater heights were reached if the depth gradient of base saturation was favorable. Statistical model criteria (Double Penalty Selection, AIC) preferred composite variables for water supply and the supply of basic cations. The ability to predict SI on a local scale was limited due to the difficulty to integrate soil variables into the model.
Mobile Phone-Based mHealth Approaches for Public Health Surveillance in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review
Authors: Brinkel Johanna , Krämer Alexander , Krumkamp Ralf , May Jürgen , Fobil Julius
Published: November 2014

Whereas mobile phone-based surveillance has the potential to provide real-time validated data for disease clustering and prompt respond and investigation, little evidence is available on current practice in sub-Sahara Africa. The objective of this review was to examine mobile phone-based mHealth interventions for Public Health surveillance in the region. We conducted electronic search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, IEE Xplore, African Index Medicus (AIM), BioMed Central, PubMed Central (PMC), the Public Library of Science (PLoS) and IRIS for publications used in the review. In all, a total of nine studies were included which focused on infectious disease surveillance of malaria (n = 3), tuberculosis (n = 1) and influenza-like illnesses (n = 1) as well as on non-infectious disease surveillance of child malnutrition (n = 2), maternal health (n = 1) and routine surveillance of various diseases and symptoms (n = 1). Our review revealed that mobile phone-based surveillance projects in the sub-Saharan African countries are on small scale, fragmented and not well documented. We conclude by advocating for a strong drive for more research in the applied field as well as a better reporting of lessons learned in order to create an epistemic community to help build a more evidence-based field of practice in mHealth surveillance in the region.
Mosquito Surveillance for Prevention and Control of Emerging Mosquito-Borne Diseases in Portugal — 2008–2014
Authors: Osório Hugo , Zé-Zé Líbia , Amaro Fátima , Alves Maria
Published: November 2014

Mosquito surveillance in Europe is essential for early detection of invasive species with public health importance and prevention and control of emerging pathogens. In Portugal, a vector surveillance national program—REVIVE (REde de VIgilância de VEctores)—has been operating since 2008 under the custody of Portuguese Ministry of Health. The REVIVE is responsible for the nationwide surveillance of hematophagous arthropods. Surveillance for West Nile virus (WNV) and other flaviviruses in adult mosquitoes is continuously performed. Adult mosquitoes—collected mainly with Centre for Disease Control light traps baited with CO2—and larvae were systematically collected from a wide range of habitats in 20 subregions (NUTS III). Around 500,000 mosquitoes were trapped in more than 3,000 trap nights and 3,500 positive larvae surveys, in which 24 species were recorded. The viral activity detected in mosquito populations in these years has been limited to insect specific flaviviruses (ISFs) non-pathogenic to humans. Rather than emergency response, REVIVE allows timely detection of changes in abundance and species diversity providing valuable knowledge to health authorities, which may take control measures of vector populations reducing its impact on public health. This work aims to present the REVIVE operation and to expose data regarding mosquito species composition and detected ISFs.
Glycoside Hydrolase Activities in Cell Walls of Sclerenchyma Cells in the Inflorescence Stems of Arabidopsis thaliana Visualized in Situ
Authors: Banasiak Alicja , Ibatullin Farid , Brumer Harry , Mellerowicz Ewa
Published: November 2014

Techniques for in situ localization of gene products provide indispensable information for understanding biological function. In the case of enzymes, biological function is directly related to activity, and therefore, knowledge of activity patterns is central to understanding the molecular controls of plant development. We have previously developed a novel type of fluorogenic substrate for revealing glycoside hydrolase activity in planta, based on resorufin β-glycosides Here, we explore a wider range of such substrates to visualize glycoside hydrolase activities in Arabidopsis inflorescence stems in real time, especially highlighting distinct distribution patterns of these activities in the secondary cell walls of sclerenchyma cells. The results demonstrate that β-1,4-glucosidase, β-1,4-glucanase and β-1,4-galactosidase activities accompany secondary wall deposition. In contrast, xyloglucanase activity follows a different pattern, with the highest signal observed in mature cells, concentrated in the middle lamella. These data further the understanding of the process of cell wall deposition and function in sclerenchymatic tissues of plants.
Incorporating Bio-Physical Sciences into a Decision Support Tool for Sustainable Urban Planning
Authors: Mitraka Zina , Diamantakis Emmanouil , Chrysoulakis Nektarios , Castro Eduardo , Jose Roberto , Gonzalez Ainhoa , Blecic Ivan
Published: November 2014

Deciding upon optimum planning actions in terms of sustainable urban planning involves the consideration of multiple environmental and socio-economic criteria. The transformation of natural landscapes to urban areas affects energy and material fluxes. An important aspect of the urban environment is the urban metabolism, and changes in such metabolism need to be considered for sustainable planning decisions. A spatial Decision Support System (DSS) prototyped within the European FP7-funded project BRIDGE (sustainaBle uRban plannIng Decision support accountinG for urban mEtabolism), enables accounting for the urban metabolism of planning actions, by exploiting the current knowledge and technology of biophysical sciences. The main aim of the BRIDGE project was to bridge the knowledge and communication gap between urban planners and environmental scientists and to illustrate the advantages of considering detailed environmental information in urban planning processes. The developed DSS prototype integrates biophysical observations and simulation techniques with socio-economic aspects in five European cities, selected as case studies for the pilot application of the tool. This paper describes the design and implementation of the BRIDGE DSS prototype, illustrates some examples of use, and highlights the need for further research and development in the field.
Multisystem involvement of alveolar echinococcosis in a child
Authors: Kantarci Mecit , Bayraktutan Ummugulsum , Pirimoglu Berhan , Ogul Hayri , Oral Akgun , Eren Suat , Gundogdu Betul
Published: November 2014

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a chronic progressive infestation inducing a slowly progressing, life-threatening tumor-like growth in the liver. It may spread to other organs by regional extension or hematogenous or lymphatic metastasis. Herein, we report a fifteen-year-old patient diagnosed with AE of the liver and simultaneous lung and brain metastasis with a literature review.
Antibiotic resistant Shigella is a major cause of diarrhoea in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea
Authors: Greenhill Andrew R , Guwada Carlton , Siba Valentine , Michael Audrey , Yoannes Mition , Wawarie Yolandah , Ford Rebecca , Siba Peter M , Horwood Paul F
Published: November 2014

Introduction: Diarrhoea remains a major cause of illness in Papua New Guinea (PNG); however, little is known about its aetiology. As a result of the cholera outbreak that spread throughout PNG in 2009-2011, we conducted diarrhoeal surveillance in Eastern Highlands Province. Methodology: Following informed consent and a brief questionnaire, participants provided a stool sample or duplicate rectal swabs. Samples were tested for common bacterial pathogens Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Vibrio spp., Campylobacter spp. and Yersinia enterocolitica using established culture methods. Enteric parasites were detected using microscopy. Results: A total of 216 participants were enrolled; where age was recorded, 42% were under 5 years of age, 6.7% were 5 to 17 years of age and 51.3% ≥18 years of age. One or more pathogens were detected in 68 (31.5%) participants, with Shigella (primarily S. flexneri) being the most commonly isolated (47 of 216 participants). Enteric parasites were detected in 23 of the 216 participants, occurring as a co-infection with another pathogen in 12 of 23 cases. No Vibrio cholerae was detected. Shigella isolates were commonly resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline, co-trimoxazole and chloramphenicol. Conclusions: Shigellae, specifically S. flexneri, are important pathogens in the highlands of PNG. While most studies in low-income settings focus on childhood aetiology, we have demonstrated the importance of Shigella in both children and adults. Enteric parasites remain present and presumably contribute to the burden of gastrointestinal illness. While improvements in sanitation and hygiene would help lower the burden of all aetiologies of infectious diarrhoea, additional control strategies targeting Shigella may also be warranted.
Animal brucellosis in Egypt
Authors: Wareth Gamal , Hikal Ahmed , Refai Mohamed , Melzer Falk , Roesler Uwe , Neubauer Heinrich
Published: November 2014

Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonosis that affects the public health and economic performance of endemic as well as non-endemic countries. In developing nations, brucellosis is often a very common but neglected disease. The purpose of this review is to provide insight about brucellosis in animal populations in Egypt and help to understand the situation from 1986 to 2013. A total of 67 national and international scientific publications on serological investigations, isolation, and biotyping studies from 1986 to 2013 were reviewed to verify the current status of brucellosis in animal populations in Egypt. Serological investigations within the national surveillance program give indirect proof for the presence of brucellosis in cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, and camels in Egypt. Serologic testing for brucellosis is a well-established procedure in Egypt, but most of the corresponding studies do not follow the scientific standards. B. melitensis biovar (bv) 3, B. abortus bv 1, and B. suis bv 1 have been isolated from farm animals and Nile catfish. Brucellosis is prevalent nationwide in many farm animal species. There is an obvious discrepancy between official seroprevalence data and data from scientific publications. The need for a nationwide survey to genotype circulating Brucellae is obvious. The epidemiologic situation of brucellosis in Egypt is unresolved and needs clarification.
Post-polio eradication: vaccination strategies and options for India
Authors: Thayyil Jayakrishnan , Jayakrishnan Thejus
Published: November 2014

In 1988, the World Health Organization (WHO) resolved to eradicate poliomyelitis globally. Since then, the initiative has reported dramatic progress in decreasing the incidence of poliomyelitis and limiting the geographical extent of transmission. 2013 is recorded as the second consecutive year not reporting wild poliovirus (WPV) from India. If the country can retain this position for one more year India will be declared as polio eradicated. What should be the future vaccination strategies? We searched and reviewed the full text of the available published literature on polio eradication via PubMed and examined Internet sources and websites of major international health agencies. The oral polio vaccine (OPV) has been the main tool in the polio eradication program. Once WPV transmission is interrupted, the poliomyelitis will be caused only by OPV. India could expect 1 vaccine-associated paralytic polio per 4.2-4.6 million doses of OPV. Considering the threat of vaccine-derived viruses to polio eradication, WHO urged to develop a strategy to safely discontinue OPV after certification. The ultimate aim is to stop OPV safely and effectively, and eventually substitute with inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). The argument against the use of IPV is its cost. From India, field based data were available on the efficacy of IPV, which was better than OPV. IPV given intradermally resulted in seroconversion rates similar to full-dose intramuscular vaccine. The incremental cost of adopting IPV to replace OPV is relatively low, about US $1 per child per year, and most countries should be able to afford this additional cost.
Factors influencing the adaptation and distribution of Colophospermum mopane in southern Africa’s mopane savannas – A review
Authors: Makhado Rudzani A. , Mapaure Isaac , Potgieter Martin J. , Luus-Powell Wilmien J. , Saidi Amani T.
Published: November 2014

Colophospermum mopane is the dominant tree or shrub within mopane woodland in the subtropical areas of southern Africa’s savanna ecosystems. This article provided a review on the adaptation capabilities of mopane against fire, browsing activity and environmental stresses. It further reviewed and tested the extent to which rainfall, temperature, altitude and soil types had an effect on the distribution of mopane in southern Africa. Mopane is adapted to survive moisture stresses, low nutrient environments and even disturbances caused by fire and browsing by large herbivores through its physical, physiological and chemical responses. Adaptation of mopane to various stresses enables it to dominate the low-lying areas of southern Africa’s savannas. The distribution of mopane is best associated with low to moderate rainfall (R2 = 0.38), high temperature (R2 = 0.42), low altitudes (R2 = 0.44) and a variety of soil types. An increase in the annual rainfall ( 800 mm) and altitude ( 800 m.a.s.l.), coupled with a reduction in the minimum temperature and acidic soil, limits the distribution of mopane. Mopane in South Africa occurs under similar environmental conditions to those in Zimbabwe and Zambia, but quite different from those in Angola, Namibia, Mozambique, Malawi and Botswana where mopane occurs.
Constraints in animal health service delivery and sustainable improvement alternatives in North Gondar, Ethiopia
Authors: Kebede Hassen , Melaku Achenef , Kebede Elias
Published: November 2014

Poor livestock health services remain one of the main constraints to livestock production in many developing countries, including Ethiopia. A study was carried out in 11 districts of North Gondar, from December 2011 to September 2012, with the objective of identifying the existing status and constraints of animal health service delivery, and thus recommending possible alternatives for its sustainable improvement. Data were collected by using pre-tested questionnaires and focus group discussion. Findings revealed that 46.34% of the responding farmers had taken their animals to government veterinary clinics after initially trying treatments with local medication. More than 90.00% of the clinical cases were diagnosed solely on clinical signs or even history alone. The antibacterial drugs found in veterinary clinics were procaine penicillin (with or without streptomycin), oxytetracycline and sulphonamides, whilst albendazole, tetramisole and ivermectin were the only anthelmintics. A thermometer was the only clinical aid available in all clinics, whilst only nine (45.00%) clinics had a refrigerator. In the private sector, almost 95.00% were retail veterinary pharmacies and only 41.20% fulfilled the requirement criteria set. Professionals working in the government indicated the following problems: lack of incentives (70.00%), poor management and lack of awareness (60.00%) and inadequate budget (40.00%). For farmers, the most frequent problems were failure of private practitioners to adhere to ethical procedures (74.00%) and lack of knowledge of animal diseases and physical distance from the service centre (50.00%). Of all responding farmers, 58.54% preferred the government service, 21.14% liked both services equally and 20.33% preferred the private service. Farmers’ indiscriminate use of drugs from the black market (23.00%) was also mentioned as a problem by private practitioners. Sustainable improvement of animal health service delivery needs increased awareness for all stakeholders and a well-regulated private service in order to mitigate the constraints apparent in the government service.
Studies towards optimising the isolation of diplonine, a neurotoxin isolated from cultures of Stenocarpella maydis (Berk.) Sacc.
Authors: Snyman Leendert D. , Flett Bradley C. , Schultz Rowina A.
Published: November 2014

Diplonine, a mycotoxin that induces neurotoxic clinical signs in the guinea pig, resembling those occurring in cattle and sheep with diplodiosis, was isolated previously from a Stenocarpella maydisculture. Knowledge of the chemical properties of the toxin, which was characterised as a substituted ß-cyclopropylamino acid, enabled amendments in the present study to the initial steps of the isolation procedure. Extraction with water and fractionation by cation exchange chromatography improved the efficiency of isolation, potentially allowing the preparation of larger amounts of the toxin.
Benefits of the Marketing Information System in the Clothing Retail Business
Authors: Queiroz Josimeire Pessoa , Oliveira Braulio
Published: November 2014

This paper has the purpose of being familiarized with the benefits of the marketing information system in companies that operate in the retail business. A field research was done in a major clothing retailer, by means of a case study that consisted of interviews with two employees of the company, one from the top management and one from the marketing area, based on a semi-structured script , in addition to a documental analysis. The results indicate that information and its systematization possess great importance for the development of competitiveness, contributing to the development of the operations and to the promotion of new business opportunities, as provided by the pertinent literature.
Repertory Grid, Laddering, and Content Analysis: a Psychometric Approach to Understand the Information Technology Workforce
Authors: De Moura Jr Pedro Jácome , Bellini Carlo Gabriel Porto
Published: November 2014

A major challenge when researching on people relates to how reliable information can be retrieved from them. It is a matter of how to access what is literally inside people’s mind. Access is limited by the cognitive screening process that mediates human interaction, as well as by human rhetoric. We apply repertory grid, laddering and content analysis as an integrated psychometric approach to contrast two sets of constructs: a set of theoretically based constructs about the management of information technology professionals who work in customer teams, and a set of constructs that lie behind those professionals’ cognition in the particular case of implementing enterprise-wide systems (ERP). Results confirm the effectiveness of such a methodological approach to accurately reveal cognitive phenomena and to better understand the information technology workforce.
Mortalidad Prevenible en Trauma: un Estudio de Reuniones de Análisis de Mortalidad en un Hospital Universitario en Colombia
Authors: Muñoz Jorge H Montenegro , Ortiz Adriana F Romero , Ramos Karen Y Solano , Claros María A Cabrera , Escobar Andrés M Rubiano
Published: November 2014

Introduccion

Las reuniones de análisis de mortalidad son una herramienta para la implementación de programas de mejoramiento de calidad en la atención del trauma. El propósito de este estudio es analizar y caracterizar las muertes por trauma con ISS mayor a 16 en un hospital universitario en Colombia, luego de la implementación de un protocolo estandarizado de reanimación en trauma.

Materiales Y Métodos

Se realizó un análisis de las muertes por trauma con ISS mayor o igual a 16 desde Septiembre de 2011 hasta Abril de 2013. Se analizaron medidas de frecuencia, incluyendo diagnósticos CIE 10, causa y mecanismo de lesión, tiempo de estancia hospitalaria y área donde ocurrió la defunción. Se analizaron y clasificaron las muertes de acuerdo a las recomendaciones de la guía de mejoramiento de calidad en trauma de la OMS en las categorías de: prevenibles (MP), potencialmente prevenibles (MPP), no prevenible pero la atención se podría haber mejorado (MNPMA) y definitivamente no prevenibles (MDNP).

Resultados

Se presentaron 42 muertes durante este periodo. Predominantemente pacientes adultos hombres, en accidentes de tránsito involucrando motocicletas. La lesión más frecuente fue lesión cerebral severa (71.4%), seguido por trauma abdominal (28.5%) y torácico (26,1%) con heridas tanto cerradas como penetrantes. El promedio del ISS fue de 37. La tasa de MP fue de 11.9%, la de MPP fue de 7.1%, la de MNPMA del 14.2% y la de MDNP fue del 66.6%.

Conclusion

Luego de la implementación de un protocolo estandarizado de reanimación en trauma, en un hospital universitario en Colombia, las muertes presentadas con ISS mayor o igual a 16 son en su mayoría MDNP de adultos víctimas de accidentes de motocicleta con TCE severo. La deficiencia más frecuente, en las MNPAM fue la demora en el proceso de atención, incluyendo una aplicación incompleta del protocolo de trauma y una cirugía no temprana.

How to cite this article

Muñoz JHM, Ortiz AFR, Ramos KYS, Claros MAC, Escobar AMR. Mortalidad Prevenible en Trauma: un Estudio de Reuniones de Análisis de Mortalidad en un Hospital Universitario en Colombia. Panam J Trauma Crit Care Emerg Surg 2014;3(2):59-67.
Portfolio working – a psychological analysis of the phenomenon
Authors: Lipińska-Grobelny Agnieszka
Published: November 2014

Background

It turns out from the latest Eurostat data that Poland holds the second place in Europe in terms of the number of so-called portfolio workers, i.e. persons who work for more than one employer. From the psychological point of view, there arises the question regarding the possible determinants of the mentioned phenomenon. Therefore the general purpose of this study is to present the personal and situational indicators of portfolio working.

Participants and procedure

Two hundred and eighteen portfolio workers and 218 workers employed in one workplace (i.e. monoworkers) participated in research using the following set of ‘paper-pencil’ techniques: a self-made survey, the Value Scale by Rokeach, the Formal Characteristics of Behaviour – Temperament Questionnaire by Zawadzki and Strelau, the Masculinity and Femininity Scale by Lipińska-Grobelny and Gorczycka, and the Organizational Climate Questionnaire by Kolb.

Results

Portfolio working is mainly determined by a number of personal variables (temperamental characteristics, values and spheres of motivation, intensity of masculinity and femininity). A specific role is played by values represented by portfolio workers. The discriminant analysis conducted in groups selected on the basis of working hours indicates that the prediction of participation of the examined persons in the group of portfolio workers with the greatest accuracy appeared in the case of a workload of 48 or more hours, next in the case of a smaller workload up to 47 hours, and finally for the whole group.

Conclusions

The examination of the phenomenon of portfolio working from the psychological perspective presents an important contribution to the discussion on work and directions of its transformations.
The DeDiMa battery: a tool for identifying students’ mathematical learning profiles
Authors: Karagiannakis Giannis , Baccaglini-Frank Anna
Published: November 2014

Background

The DeDiMa battery is designed for assessing students’ mathematical learning profiles, and it has been used to validate a 4-dimensional model for classifying mathematical learning difficulties. The model arises from existing hypotheses in the cognitive psychology and neuroscience literature, while the DeDiMa battery provides a reliable set of mathematical tasks that help to match characteristics of students’ mathematical performances to their more basic learning difficulties.

Participants and procedure

In this report we address the question of how these tools can help sketch out a student’s mathematical learning profile. The participants are 5th and 6th grade students.

Results

We compare the emerging profiles of two students with mathematical learning difficulties (MLD) matched for age, performance on a standardized test, non-verbal IQ, and educational experiences. The profiles are very different.

Conclusions

We believe that this approach can inform the design of individualized remedial interventions for MLD students.
Individualization of the ANCA associated vasculitis treatment
Authors: Zdrojewski Zbigniew
Published: November 2014

Zapalenia naczyń związane z występowaniem przeciwciał przeciwko cytoplazmie granulocytów (AAV) są grupą układowych chorób charakteryzujących się martwiczym zapaleniem małych i średnich naczyń, skąpym występowaniem depozytów immunologicznych lub brakiem takich depozytów oraz obecnością krążących przeciwciał. Najnowsze osiągnięcia w badaniach genetycznych i kohortowych powinny znaleźć odbicie w lepszym zrozumieniu etiopatogenezy AAV, dokładniejszej stratyfikacji pacjentów w jednorodne grupy, a przede wszystkim osiągnięcia te powinny mieć swoje implikacje terapeutyczne.

Leczenie immunosupresyjne AAV obejmuje dwa okresy: indukcję remisji oraz leczenie podtrzymujące. Powinno ono być dostosowane nie tylko do okresu i stopnia ciężkości choroby, lecz także do uwarunkowań genetycznych i czynników decydujących o rokowaniu. Dotychczasowe badania z randomizacją i obserwacje kliniczne wskazują na konieczność ograniczenia stosowania cyklofosfamidu i glikokortykosteroidów oraz częstszego stosowania rytuksymabu zarówno w leczeniu indukcyjnym, jak i podtrzymującym.
Analysis of the information on rheumatology in the resources of Internet services opinion-shaping dailies and weeklies
Authors: Szpakowski Rafał , Zając Patrycja
Published: November 2014

Cel: Analiza treści zasobów informacyjnych dotyczących reumatologii w internetowych serwisach wybranych dzienników oraz tygodników opiniotwórczych.

Materiał i metody: Materiał poddany analizie treści obejmował zasoby informacyjne internetowych serwisów 6 czasopism opiniotwórczych, wytypowanych na podstawie rankingu Najbardziej opiniotwórczych mediów w 2012 r., opracowanego przez Instytut Monitorowania Mediów. Jednostki obserwacji zostały wybrane wg kolejności w rankingu. W toku analizy ilościowej dla tematyki reumatologicznej użyto następujących słów jako jednostek analizy: reumatyzm, choroby reumatyczne, reumatoidalne zapalenie stawów, reumatologia, instytut reumatologii. Następnie w toku analizy jakościowej, dla której jednostką analizy/kontekstu była pełna treść określonego zasobu informacyjnego wytypowanego na podstawie jednostki analizy ilościowej, wyłoniono zasoby, które wg subiektywnej oceny treści przez autorów spełniały określone kryterium. Identyczne postępowanie badawcze jak dla tematyki reumatologicznej zastosowano dla tematyki alergologicznej, z tą różnicą, że analiza jakościowa nie obejmowała utworzenia klucza kategoryzacyjnego, a jako jednostki analizy ilościowej przyjęto słowa: alergia, alergii, alergologia.

Wyniki: Zidentyfikowano 161 zasobów dla tematyki reumatologicznej, natomiast dla tematyki alergologicznej zidentyfikowano 243 zasoby. Wyszukane zasoby pochodziły z okresu od 1999 r. (najstarszy) do 2013 r. (najnowszy) – wśród tygodników najwięcej zasobów o tematyce reumatologicznej opublikował Wprost (1,4 zasobu/rok), o tematyce alergologicznej również Wprost (2,3 zasobu/rok). Wśród dzienników najwięcej o tematyce reumatologicznej opublikował Puls Biznesu (5,3 zasobu/rok), o tematyce alergologicznej najwięcej Gazeta Wyborcza (5,4 zasobu/rok). Analiza jakościowa zasobów związanych z reumatologią wykazała, iż najczęściej zasoby te miały charakter doniesień naukowych (n = 29; 18%) oraz kampanii edukacyjnych (n = 44; 27%).

Wnioski: Na podstawie zasobów serwisów internetowych analizowanych dzienników i tygodników reumatologia w porównaniu z alergologią jest tematem, któremu media opiniotwórcze poświęcają mniej uwagi. Zasoby reumatologiczne charakteryzują się głównie pozytywnym przekazem.
New aspects of spondyloarthritis pathogenesis. Part III – arthritis, pathological bone remodeling
Authors: Kontny Ewa
Published: November 2014

Spondyloartropatie (SpA) są formą przetrwałego zapalenia stawów obwodowych i kręgosłupa, które może być zapoczątkowane przez zapalenie podchrzęstnego szpiku kostnego w stawach albo zapalenie przyczepów ścięgnistych. Inwazyjna tkanka włóknista zastępująca szpik kostny, rezydujące w przyczepach ścięgnistych limfocyty T o cechach komórek odporności wrodzonej oraz cytokiny: czynnik martwicy nowotworów (tumor necrosis factor – TNF), interleukiny 23, 17 i 22, biorą udział w tych lokalnych procesach patologicznych. Mechanizmy molekularne, które biorą udział w zapaleniu stawów, destrukcji chrząstki i kości stawowej, są podobne do tych w reumatoidalnym zapaleniu stawów i są zatrzymywane przez skuteczną terapię przeciwzapalną, w tym leki biologiczne neutralizujące TNF. Terapie anty-TNF jednak nie hamują patologicznego tworzenia kości, a to zjawisko jest cechą charakterystyczną SpA. Powoduje ono m.in. powstawanie syndesmofitów i ankylozę kręgosłupa. Mechanizmy molekularne leżące u podłoża patologicznej przebudowy kości w SpA, jak również ich interakcje ze szlakami zapalnymi nie są w pełni poznane. Trzy główne omówione w artykule hipotezy są próbą wyjaśnienia tego problemu.
Panniculitis in an 11-year-old girl – symptom of cat scratch disease or systemic lupus erythematosus onset?
Authors: Świdrowska Joanna , Biernacka-Zielińska Małgorzata , Zygmunt Agnieszka , Stańczyk Jerzy , Smolewska Elżbieta
Published: November 2014

Panniculitis, czyli zapalenie tkanki podskórnej, obejmuje zmiany zapalne tkanki podskórnej o różnej etiologii. Może towarzyszyć wielu schorzeniom ogólnoustrojowym, pojawia się często u pacjentów z układowymi zapalnymi chorobami tkanki łącznej. Najczęściej obserwuje się je w przebiegu tocznia rumieniowatego krążkowego (2–3% pacjentów), rzadziej w postaci układowej tocznia. Zapalenie tkanki podskórnej może być jednak pierwszym objawem poprzedzającym rozwój choroby. W pracy przedstawiono przypadek pacjentki z ciężkim przebiegiem zapalenia tkanki podskórnej. U chorej obserwowano bolesną, zlokalizowaną na bocznej powierzchni uda zmianę skórną. Występowały uogólnione objawy, takie jak hektyczna gorączka, splenomegalia, limfadenopatia. Dodatkowo w badaniach laboratoryjnych stwierdzono dodatnie miano przeciwciał diagnostycznych dla wielu chorób infekcyjnych, w tym choroby kociego pazura. Pomimo agresywnej antybiotykoterapii oraz terapii przeciwzapalnej nie obserwowano zadowalających efektów. Z uwagi na całość obrazu oraz dodatni wywiad rodzinny w kierunku tocznia rumieniowatego podjęto próbę steroidoterapii, co przyniosło efekt kliniczny.
Non-Linear Filtering for Precise Point Positioning GPS/INS integration
Authors: Abd Rabbou M. , El-Rabbany A.
Published: November 2014

Abstract. This research investigates the performance of non-linear estimation filtering for GPS-PPP/MEMS-based inertial system. Although integrated GPS/INS system involves nonlinear motion state and measurement models, the most common estimation filter employed is extended Kalman filter. In this paper, both unscented Kalman filter and particle filter are developed and compared with extended Kalman filter. Tightly coupled mechanization is adopted, which is developed in the raw measurements domain. Un-differenced ionosphere-free linear combination of pseudorange and carrier-phase measurements is employed. The performance of the proposed non-linear filters is analyzed using real test scenario. The test results indicate that comparable accuracy-level are obtained from the proposed filters compared with extended Kalman filter in positioning, velocity and attitude when the measurement updates from GPS measurements are available.
Bush encroachment monitoring using multi-temporal Landsat data and random forests
Authors: Symeonakis E. , Higginbottom T.
Published: November 2014

Abstract. It is widely accepted that land degradation and desertification (LDD) are serious global threats to humans and the environment. Around a third of savannahs in Africa are affected by LDD processes that may lead to substantial declines in ecosystem functioning and services. Indirectly, LDD can be monitored using relevant indicators. The encroachment of woody plants into grasslands, and the subsequent conversion of savannahs and open woodlands into shrublands, has attracted a lot of attention over the last decades and has been identified as a potential indicator of LDD. Mapping bush encroachment over large areas can only effectively be done using Earth Observation (EO) data and techniques. However, the accurate assessment of large-scale savannah degradation through bush encroachment with satellite imagery remains a formidable task due to the fact that on the satellite data vegetation variability in response to highly variable rainfall patterns might obscure the underlying degradation processes. Here, we present a methodological framework for the monitoring of bush encroachment-related land degradation in a savannah environment in the Northwest Province of South Africa. We utilise multi-temporal Landsat TM and ETM+ (SLC-on) data from 1989 until 2009, mostly from the dry-season, and ancillary data in a GIS environment. We then use the machine learning classification approach of random forests to identify the extent of encroachment over the 20-year period. The results show that in the area of study, bush encroachment is as alarming as permanent vegetation loss. The classification of the year 2009 is validated yielding low commission and omission errors and high k-statistic values for the grasses and woody vegetation classes. Our approach is a step towards a rigorous and effective savannah degradation assessment.
Geometric Accuracy Assessment and Correction of Imagery from Chinese Earth Observation Satellites (HJ-1 A/B, CBERS-02C and ZY-3)
Authors: Deng H. , Huang S. , Wang Q. , Pan Z. , Xin Y.
Published: November 2014

Abstract. The Chinese satellites HJ-1 A/B, CBERS-02C and ZY-3 have been recently launched and are considered as the main space platforms on orbit to acquire optical images for monitoring the Earth for various applications in China. The commercially distributed products (Level 1 or 2) of those satellites usually lack sufficient information (about platform, sensor and ephemeris) that is the key to geometrically correct the acquired images. It is therefore always a challenging issue and the first step to assess the geometric accuracy, which is a key part of qualities in spatial data, of the images from those satellites before generation of geometrically accurate image products. This paper first describes an operational methodology to assess the geometric accuracy of those satellite images. The methodology automatically collects dense and spatially well distributed ground control points (GCP) against reference imagery and then fits those GCPs to the given geometric math model. The geometric accuracy of an image can then be assessed from the overall fitness of those GCPs and their distribution of geometric errors along and across track. The residual mean square (RMS) parameter is used to indicate the degree of overall fitness of the GCPs to the photogrammetric system. The distribution of geometric errors may be random or approximated by a second or higher order polynomial functions; the latter case is generally considered as a systematic error that was not removed completely in the Level 1 or 2 data product. In order to draw solid conclusions, a significant number of samples are selected for each of those satellites by taking variations of landscapes into consideration. The assessment experiments demonstrate that the accuracy of HJ-1 A/B is often very poor, that of CBERS-02C is better than the situation of HJ-1 A/B but records poor accuracy for most samples, and that of ZY-3 is the best among all satellites under investigation and has few samples with poor accuracy. According to the assessment results, this paper suggests an operational correction methodology to improve the accuracy for those satellites, particularly for the HJ-1 A/B and CBERS-02C. Operational production proves that the proposed correction methodology is capable of achieving much higher accuracy than traditional ones and the achieved accuracy meets high standard product requirements for such applications as mapping.
La educación en J.-J. Rousseau: un antecedente metodológico de la enseñanza basada en la formación en competencias
Authors: Sierra-Arizmendiarrieta Beatriz , Pérez-Ferra Miguel
Published: November 2014

Sabiendo la enorme repercusión e influencia que ha tenido J-J. Rousseau en la pedagogía moderna, el reciente tricentenario de su nacimiento puede ser una buena oportunidad para reflexionar sobre su extraordinaria actualidad. El presente trabajo es una investigación teórico-educativa llevada a cabo con un método hermenéutico analítico-comparativo. Su objetivo es mostrar cómo algunos planteamientos de su pensamiento educativo poseen gran similitud con ciertos cambios que exige la actual enseñanza basada en la formación en competencias, de modo que podría considerarse como un antecedente metodológico de la misma. Para lograr este objetivo se ha dividido la exposición en tres partes. En la primera parte se realizará un análisis de la teoría educativa de Rousseau en los tres primeros libros del Emilio, en los que uno de los temas principales es el aprendizaje basado en la propia experiencia, fomentando la autosuficiencia, la curiosidad y la motivación por aprender. Rousseau propone como método la educación negativa que exige, entre otras cosas, un seguimiento constante del aprendiz por parte del tutor. En la segunda parte se abordará una breve exposición de los cambios más relevantes y características de la enseñanza basada en la formación en competencias, así como su finalidad. Destaca la necesaria actividad y participación del alumnado en su propio aprendizaje a través de la realización de tareas. El nuevo modelo educativo lleva consigo un cambio radical en la estructura curricular en el que destaca la transformación de la metodología de aula y el rol docente. Para finalizar, la tercera parte tendrá como objetivo elaborar una síntesis comparativa entre ambas propuestas agrupando los paralelismos en cuatro temas: el origen de ambos modelos, su finalidad, metodología y cambio en la función docente.
Finance-oriented vs. operations-oriented management control in public hospitals
Authors: Vera Antonio , Kuntz Ludwig
Published: November 2014

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of finance-oriented vs. operations-oriented management control in public hospitals on physicians’ role conflict and cost consciousness as well as on perceived organizational performance. First, we conduct a participatory research project, and identify two public university hospitals with clearly differing management control environments: one finance-oriented, the other operations-oriented. Then we collect quantitative data from 211 physicians employed in these hospitals, and analyze it using regression analyses and structural equation modeling. Our empirical results indicate that a finance-oriented control environment is preferable to an operations-oriented control environment with respect to cost consciousness, but with respect to role conflict the reverse is true. Regarding the perceived organizational performance, our findings indicate that an operations-oriented control environment is more advantageous than a finance-oriented control environment. The main implication of our study is that management control issues in public hospitals are important, risky, and therefore merit dedicated managerial support. To enable effective coordination without unnecessarily creating conflicts, top management has to find an appropriate balance not only between professional autonomy and monitoring requirements, or between trust and control, but also between financial and operational performance measures.
Presence of the Hemolysin Gene of Vibrio mimicus in Fish and Seafood Products in Sonora, Mexico
Authors: Guardiola-Avila Iliana , Noriega-Orozco Lorena , Acedo-Felix Evelia , Lara Angela E. , Tapia-Olea Ma. Micaela
Published: November 2014

Vibrio mimicus causes diseases in humans in many countries, and it is highly abundant in aquatic environments. The present study evaluated the presence of V. mimicus in commonly consumed fish and seafood products in Sonora, México. A total of 262 samples of fish and seafood products were analyzed using PCR to identify the presence of the hemolysin (vmh) gene of V. mimicus, which was detected in 32 food samples. The positive food samples included raw (14%) and ready to eat fish and seafood (9%). The leading raw products in which V. mimicus was detected were crustaceans (57%), but mollusks represented 78% of the positive ready-to-eat products (RTE). Therefore, the presence of the V. mimicus hemolysin gene in raw and RTE seafood may represent a potential health risk to consumers in northwest México.
Architecture For Other Planets
Authors: Howe A Scott
Published: November 2014

Opportunities for Space Architecture are proliferating over time. As NASA architect and robotics engineer A Scott Howe, however, explains, a varied skill set is required to develop the right specialist expertise to become a space architect. Extreme environmental factors always have to be taken into consideration when designing for Space. These vary from lack of gravity, extreme variations in temperature and exposure to abrasive materials, such as lunar dust. Architects also need to develop an acute awareness of transportation systems and robotic constructions. It is, though, only with prototyping that designs, systems and materials can start to be tested.
Terrestrial Space Architecture
Authors: Leach Neil
Published: November 2014

Space Architecture is not just confined to the extraterrestrial. Guest‐Editor Neil Leach describes how the burgeoning space tourism industry and cultural buildings dedicated to the legacy of space exploration are potentially leading to more earthbound space structures. Here, Leach profiles Foster + Partners' Spaceport America in the Jornada del Muerto desert, New Mexico, and Bevk‐Perovi, Dekleva‐Gregori, OFIS arhitekti and SADAR+VUGA's Cultural Centre of European Space Technologies (KSEVT) in Vitanje, Slovenia.
Being a Space Architect: Astrotecture™ Projects for NASA
Authors: Cohen Marc M
Published: November 2014

A space architect for NASA for over 25 years and now the founding principal of Astrotecture™, Marc M Cohen highlights how Space Architecture as a discipline differentiates itself from architecture, its terrestrial cousin, by designing structures for the most extreme of environmental conditions. He discusses three design projects undertaken by Astrotecture™ and funded by NASA that emphasise the level of physical problem‐solving involved in astronautical design.