bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Czar opowieści. Dylogie Catherynne M. Valente oraz Salmana Rushdiego w kontekście Księgi tysiąca i jednej nocy
Authors: Bednarek Magdalena
Published: February 2017

From the 18th century on Arabian Nights  has been influencing European imaginary, especially culture and literature. It created European vision of the Orient as well. In the 20th century popular culture gave high recognisability to many elements of Arabian Nights (such as characters: Sindbad, Aladdin or magical artefacts: a flying carpet, magic lamp). Scheherazade as an allegory for narrative art became the most important figure for scholars studying the book. The paper shows how two contemporary book cycles make intertextual links to Arabian Nights . Orphan’s Tale  by Catherynne M. Valente, Harun and the Sea of stories  and Luka and the fire of Life by Salman Rushdie rewrite the elements of Arabian Nights , such as characters, artefacts and linguistic allusion to the Orient. However, the narration in the works by both writers is completely different: Valente recreated a sophisticated device of narration known from the book, whereas Rushdie gave his novels a simple, linear composition. Scheherazade’s gift to spin story out of a life is needed for different aims. For Rushdie telling fairy tales is useful in writing about life of literature itself, for Valente it is important for creating an alternative to the patriarchal vision of the world.
Powrót z zaświatów – ewolucja motywu w twórczości Stanisława Wyspiańskiego
Authors: Wedemann Marek
Published: February 2017

The article concerns the question of the ghost, which runs through the oeuvre of Stanislaw Wyspianski (1869-1907) from his school translation of G. A. Bürger`s Lenora  until the last, unfinished drama Zygmunt August .
Retreat from the Polish raison d’être or the national interest
Authors: Kuźniar Roman
Published: February 2017

The author of this paper proves the damaging effects of subjugating Poland’s interests in external relations to a specific programme of domestic policy. The domestic policy of the Prawo i Sprawiedliwość (Law and Justice) government is to build an authoritarian state on the foundation of nationalism and populism. The conduct of this policy has led to an unavoidable conflict between Poland and its European neighbours. The European Union and the Council of Europe have obligations and the means to react in situations when democracy in the Member States is threatened. The effect of this conflict is the progressive marginalisation of Poland in the EU. The loss of the position within the EU cannot be compensated for by creating an Intermarium because this idea has been unrealistic since conception. The relationships between Poland and the US worsened when Obama’s administration became sensitised to the setbacks in democracy in Poland, especially since they meant the virtual elimination of the political position of the Constitutional Tribunal. The ruling bloc does not have a positive vision either of relationships with Eastern Europe. All in all, we are witnessing a rapid deterioration in Poland’s international position to the detriment of its ability to pursue its goals and its national interests.
Od panieństwa do małżeństwa: zmiana statusu a transformacja tożsamości
Authors: Przybył Iwona
Published: February 2017

Narzeczeństwo i małżeństwo można traktować nie tylko jako instytucje społeczne, ale jako punkty zwrotne, które poprzez zmianę statusu jednostki rozpoczynają i określają kolejne etapy w biografii, wywierając wpływ na indywidualne doświadczenia jednostek. Celem opracowania jest analiza zakresu redefinicji „ja”: zmian poczucia tożsamości oraz zmian tożsamości społecznej w związku z przechodzeniem od statusu osoby stanu wolnego do bycia małżonkiem. Podstawą jest część autorskiego badania o charakterze jakościowym zrealizowanym w roku 2014 techniką pogłębionego wywiadu indywidualnego. Badaniami objęto 25 zamężnych kobiet i 25 żonatych mężczyzn, których staż małżeński w chwili badania wynosił od 3 do 24 miesięcy. Uzyskane wyniki wskazują, że zakres zmian różni się w zależności od płci, obecności kohabitacji przedzaręczynowej w biografii, niemniej najczęściej transformacje wiążą się z poczuciem własnej wartości, dojrzałości oraz zakresu odpowiedzialności. Niezależnie od rodzaju doświadczanych emocji dla większości respondentów jedynie rozpoczęcie kohabitacji lub ceremonia małżeństwa reorganizuje koncepcję „ja”.
Węzłowe problemy stosowania prawa prywatnego w sektorze publicznym
Authors: Szczepaniak Rafał
Published: February 2017

Artykuł stanowi syntetyczne ujęcie kluczowych problemów towarzyszących stosowaniu prawa prywatnego w sektorze publicznym. Przynajmniej niektóre z tych problemów, zdaniem autora, mają wymiar metodologiczny. Do tych metodologicznych autor zalicza te, które narosły wokół tradycyjnego podziału na prawo publiczne i prywatne. Absolutyzowanie tego podziału oraz postrzeganie go jako podziału dychotomicznego sprawia, że pojawiają się określone bariery w myśleniu o prawie. Bariery te są z kolei przyczyną powstawania różnego rodzaju stereotypów. Do tych stereotypów autor zalicza: – stereotyp „dobrego prawo cywilnego” i „złego prawo administracyjnego”; – stereotyp umowy jako instrumentu regulowania stosunków społecznych zawsze lepszego od decyzji administracyjnej; – stereotyp spółki prawa handlowego jako jednostki organizacyjnej zawsze lepszej od zakładu budżetowego.Ponadto do węzłowych problemów autor zalicza kwestię wolności umów w sektorze publicznym. Zdaniem autora jest to zagadnienie, które nie doczekało się dotąd kompleksowego rozwiązania ani w polskiej, ani w zagranicznej nauce prawa. Autor dostrzega także problem konstytucyjnych granic cywilnoprawnej metody regulacji stosunków społecznych.W zakończeniu autor stawia tezę o potrzebie wykształcenia w sensie normatywnym, naukowym i dydaktycznym odrębnego działu prawa prywatnego poświęconego stosowaniu prawa prywatnego w sektorze publicznym.
Switching antipsychotics: Results of 16-month non-interventional, prospective, observational clinical research of inpatients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders
Authors: Bole Cvetka Bačar , Pišlar Mitja , Šen Metka , Tavčar Rok , Mrhar Aleš
Published: February 2017

The study aims to identify prescribing and switching patterns of antipsychotics in clinical practice. A 16-month, prospective study was conducted at the Psychiatric Hospital Idrija, Slovenia. Inpatients (N = 311) with schizophrenia spectrum disorders were observed. The causes for switching antipsychotics and switching strategies were analyzed. Analyzing a total of 3954 prescriptions, the collected data confirmed that treatment strategies in this psychiatric hospital are very complex. It was found that 37 percent of inpatients had at least one switch. Moreover, switches that included three or more antipsychotics were detected. The most common causes for switching antipsychotics were adverse reactions and inefficacy or lack of efficacy. Among switching options, abrupt switch was recorded several times. As some patients are receiving several antipsychotics at the same time, it is possible that unusual switching occurs in clinical practice. It seems that the choice of switching strategy is also affected by the cause and urgency for switching an antipsychotic.
Competition, Product Innovation and Licensing
Authors: Chang Ray-Yun , Hwang Hong , Peng Cheng-Hau
Published: February 2017

This paper compares market profit and social welfare levels between differentiated Bertrand and Cournot duopoly. We start with a basic model in which a firm with a production technology can license its new technology to a potential rival who can use the technology to produce a differentiated product and compete with the incumbent firm. It is found that for any given technology level, Bertrand competition is necessarily more profitable but less socially desirable, due to its higher royalty rate. By contrast, if the licensee firm is an incumbent firm, the results hold if the technology level is high. Furthermore, if we assume the licensor firm can engage in product innovation and choose its optimal technology endogenously and the R&D efficiency is high (low), the welfare ranking is reversed (still holds).
Temporal and regional variability in the request of vitamin D from general practitioners in Spain
Authors: Salinas Maria , López-Garrigós Maite , Flores Emilio , Leiva-Salinas Carlos
Published: February 2017

Background:

Our main goal is to study the inter-practice regional variability and the temporal evolution in the request of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) by general practitioners (GPs) in Spain.

Methods:

Clinical laboratories in different autonomic communities (AACCs) were invited to report the number of 25(OH)D test requested by GPs during 2012 and 2014. The number of 25(OH)D requested per 1000 inhabitants and the index of variability were calculated, and compared between regions and time periods. We calculated the number of tests that could have been potentially saved in regions where 25(OH)D could be requested from primary care without restrictions taking into account the request in those where it is restricted, and the potential economical savings.

Results:

Seventy-six laboratories participated in the 2012 edition, and 110 in 2014, corresponding to 17,679,195 and 27,798,262 inhabitants (59.8% Spanish population). The number of 25(OH)D requested per 1000 inhabitants increased from 1.1 in 2012 to 3.4 in 2014 (p<0.001). The variability index also increased from 51.7 to 68. There was a significantly variability among the different AACCs, ranging from 0.94 to 21.24 (p=0.002). 173,885 tests could have been not measured from primary care in regions without ordering restrictions, resulting in potential 886,813.5€ savings.

Conclusions:

There was a high variability in the request of 25(OH)D by GPs in Spain, which significantly increased in a 2 year period. The demand was higher in areas where the request of 25(OH)D was not restricted in primary care, with potential savings if the request would approach to regions with ordering restrictions.
Estimating the Count Error in the Australian Census
Authors: Chipperfield James , Brown James , Bell Philip
Published: February 2017

In many countries, counts of people are a key factor in the allocation of government resources. However, it is well known that errors arise in Census counting of people (e.g., undercoverage due to missing people). Therefore, it is common for national statistical agencies to conduct one or more “audit” surveys that are designed to estimate and remove systematic errors in Census counting. For example, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) conducts a single audit sample, called the Post Enumeration Survey (PES), shortly after each Australian Population Census. This article describes the estimator used by the ABS to estimate the count of people in Australia. Key features of this estimator are that it is unbiased when there is systematic measurement error in Census counting and when nonresponse to the PES is nonignorable.
Three Methods for Occupation Coding Based on Statistical Learning
Authors: Gweon Hyukjun , Schonlau Matthias , Kaczmirek Lars , Blohm Michael , Steiner Stefan
Published: February 2017

Occupation coding, an important task in official statistics, refers to coding a respondent’s text answer into one of many hundreds of occupation codes. To date, occupation coding is still at least partially conducted manually, at great expense. We propose three methods for automatic coding: combining separate models for the detailed occupation codes and for aggregate occupation codes, a hybrid method that combines a duplicate-based approach with a statistical learning algorithm, and a modified nearest neighbor approach. Using data from the German General Social Survey (ALLBUS), we show that the proposed methods improve on both the coding accuracy of the underlying statistical learning algorithm and the coding accuracy of duplicates where duplicates exist. Further, we find defining duplicates based on ngram variables (a concept from text mining) is preferable to one based on exact string matches.
Bridging a Survey Redesign Using Multiple Imputation: An Application to the 2014 CPS ASEC
Authors: Rothbaum Jonathan
Published: February 2017

The Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement (CPS ASEC) serves as the data source for official income, poverty, and inequality statistics in the United States. In 2014, the CPS ASEC questionnaire was redesigned to improve data quality and to reduce misreporting, item nonresponse, and errors resulting from respondent fatigue. The sample was split into two groups, with nearly 70% receiving the traditional instrument and 30% receiving the redesigned instrument. Due to the relatively small redesign sample, analyses of changes in income and poverty between this and future years may lack sufficient power, especially for subgroups. The traditional sample is treated as if the responses were missing for income sources targeted by the redesign, and multiple imputation is used to generate plausible responses. A flexible imputation technique is used to place individuals into strata along two dimensions: 1) their probability of income recipiency and 2) their expected income conditional on recipiency for each income source. By matching on these two dimensions, this approach combines the ideas of propensity score matching and predictive means matching. In this article, this approach is implemented, the matching models are evaluated using diagnostics, and the results are analyzed.
Adjusting for Misclassification: A Three-Phase Sampling Approach
Authors: Sang Hailin , Lopiano Kenneth K. , Abreu Denise A. , Lamas Andrea C. , Arroway Pam , Young Linda J.
Published: February 2017

The United States Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) conducts the June Agricultural Survey (JAS) annually. Substantial misclassification occurs during the prescreening process and from field-estimating farm status for nonresponse and inaccessible records, resulting in a biased estimate of the number of US farms from the JAS. Here, the Annual Land Utilization Survey (ALUS) is proposed as a follow-on survey to the JAS to adjust the estimates of the number of US farms and other important variables. A three-phase survey design-based estimator is developed for the JAS-ALUS with nonresponse adjustment for the second phase (ALUS). A design-unbiased estimator of the variance is provided in explicit form.
Bone age in unilateral spastic cerebral palsy: is there a correlation with hand function and limb length?
Authors: Lee Je-Sang , Choi Im Jeong , Shin Myung Jun , Yoon Jin-A , Ko Sung Hwa , Shin Yong Beom
Published: February 2017

Background:

The purpose of this study was to analyze the bone age and the upper extremity segmental lengths between the affected and the unaffected side and to reveal the correlation between the difference of bone age and the upper limb length discrepancy in the unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP). We also evaluated the relationship between difference of bone age and hand function.

Methods:

Seventy-eight patients participated in this study. The bone ages of hand-wrists of the patients were determined by the Greulich and Pyle atlas. Upper extremity segmental lengths were measured by radiograph. The side-to side length discrepancy was calculated as a percentage. Hand function was classified according to the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS).

Results:

There was significant difference in the bone age between the affected and unaffected side (p<0.001). Segmental lengths of the upper extremities showed significant differences between the affected and unaffected side (p<0.001). The hand function of 56 patients was evaluated by MACS and the MACS level showed correlation with difference of side-to-side bone age (r=0.29, p=0.03) and all segmental upper limb length discrepancies (p<0.05). The hand function in the bone-age-delayed group was significantly better than the hand function in the bone-age-symmetrical group (p<0.01).

Conclusions:

The bone age of the affected side compared to the unaffected side is delayed and the hand function of the affected side is correlated with the difference of side-to-side bone age and the upper limb length discrepancy. Hand function might be helpful for predicting potential limb shortness and delayed bone age.
A new mammal species for Algeria,Rhinopoma microphyllum(Chiroptera: Rhinopomatidae): morphological and acoustic identification
Authors: Loumassine Hibat-Ellah , Allegrini Benjamin , Bounaceur Farid , Peyre Olivier , Aulagnier Stéphane
Published: February 2017

The greater mouse-tailed bat (Rhinopoma microphyllumBrunnich 1782) is reported for the first time in Algeria from two caves of the Boukaïs region (Bechar). Noseleaf shape, forearm and tail lengths clearly identified this species. The frequency of maximal energy of echolocation calls varied from 28.2 to 31.2 kHz for hand released individuals.
Superconductivity in Hydrides Doped with Main Group Elements Under Pressure
Authors: Shamp Andrew , Zurek Eva
Published: February 2017

A priori crystal structure prediction techniques have been used to explore the phase diagrams of hydrides of main group elements under pressure. A number of novel phases with the chemical formulas MHn, n > 1 and M = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs; MHn, n > 2 and M= Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba; H
Analysis of the Voting Behaviour of Czech Members of European Parliament in Areas of the Europe 2020 Strategy
Authors: Mocek Ondřej
Published: February 2017

Aim of this paper is to analyse the behaviour of Czech MEPs in the topics related to Europe 2020 Strategy. This Strategy is one of the most important documents of recent decade on the European level and it is not so often studied on the level of the European Parliament. The purpose of this text is to find out if Czech political parties in the European Parliament are cohesive or not. The second question is related to the voting patterns, whether Czech MEPs create some kind of voting coalitions or not and if these coalitions reflect the national coalition. Methodology is based on the analyses of roll-call votes. The research period is the first two years of the 8th term of the European Parliament.
Business‑Firm Parties and the Czech Party System after 2010
Authors: Just Petr , Charvát Jakub
Published: February 2017

The case study presented in this paper applies the business-firm party concept to two political entities active in the Czech party system after 2010: the Public Affairs Party (VV) and the Action of Dissatisfied Citizens (ANO 2011) movement. We assess whether these actors meet the criteria of the business-firm party model and, thus, whether they can be considered representatives of this type of political party in the Czech Republic. The study concludes with a comparison of VV and ANO 2011 as two possible variations on what is known as the business-firm party model.
Friends forever? The Role of the Visegrad Group and European Integration
Authors: Schmidt Andrea
Published: February 2017

The Visegrad Group celebrated its 25th anniversary in February 2016. Established as an initiative of three statesmen from the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region, this cooperation has experienced booms and crises. The aim of this paper is to analyse the function of this regional integration in the years following the end of bipolar system as Visegrad Group members headed down the road to Euro-Atlantic integration. To this end, I apply different theoretical approaches and attempt to explain the influence of key former politicians as well as new scenarios for the Visegrad Group’s position in the European Union. This analysis also covers the latest foreign policy changes and challenges facing CEE due to the involvement of a wider region that creates a counter-balance to the core EU. Statistical data and official documents from the Visegrad Group’s website strengthen these findings.
Two novel thorium organic frameworks constructed by bi- and tritopic ligands
Authors: Chen Fei , Wang Congzhi , Lan Jianhui , Ji Yanqin , Chai Zhifang
Published: February 2017

Two thorium organic frameworks, Th(BDC)2 and Th(OH)(BCPBA) have been hydrothermally synthesized using 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid (H2BDC) and 3,5-bi(4-carboxyphenoxy)benzoic acid (H3BCPBA), respectively. The obtained two compounds were determined by single-crystal XRD, and they exhibited two new topologies. Th(BDC)2 shows a 3-dimensional (4,4,8)-connected framework with the Schläfli symbol of (414·612·82)(42·63·8)(44·62), and it is a mononuclear thorium(IV) complex. Th(OH)(BCPBA) possesses a (4,6)-connected topology with the Schläfli symbol of (415)2(46)3, and it has a dinuclear thorium(IV) asymmetric unit with the shortest Th–Th distances. Viewing along suitable directions, channels with different shapes can be found in the obtained two frameworks. Based on calculation with PLATON, the amount of void space is 21.9% and 13.5% in Th(BDC)2 and Th(OH)(BCPBA), respectively. Density functional theory (DFT) studies revealed that the metal-ligand interactions were mainly of ionic character in both compounds and the hydroxyl ions might play an important role in the stability of dinuclear thorium(IV) of Th(OH)(BCPBA).
Prognostic significance of uPA/PAI-1 level, HER2 status, and traditional histologic factors for survival in node-negative breast cancer patients
Authors: Dovnik Nina Fokter , Takac Iztok
Published: February 2017

Background

The association of HER2 status with urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) levels raises the question whether uPA/PAI-1 level carries additional clinically relevant prognostic information independently from HER2 status. The aim of our study was to compare the prognostic value of uPA/PAI-1 level, HER2 status, and traditional prognostic factors for survival in node-negative breast cancer patients.

Patients and methods

A retrospective analysis of 858 node-negative breast cancer patients treated in Maribor University Clinical Center, Slovenia, in the years 2000–2009 was performed. Data were obtained from patient medical records. The median follow-up time was 100 months. Univariate and multivariate analyses of disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were performed using the Cox regression and the Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

In univariate analysis, age, tumor size, grade, lymphovascular invasion, HER2 status and UPA/PAI-1 level were associated with DFS, and age, tumor size, grade, and uPA/PAI-1 level were associated with OS. In the multivariate model, the most important determinants of DFS were age, estrogen receptor status and uPA/PAI-1 level, and the most important factors for OS were patient age and tumor grade. The HR for death from any cause in the multivariate model was 1.98 (95% CI 0.83–4.76) for patients with high uPA and/or PAI-1 compared to patients with both values low.

Conclusions

uPA/PAI-1 level clearly carries an independent prognostic value regardless of HER2 status in node-negative breast cancer and could be used in addition to HER2 and other markers to guide clinical decisions in this setting.
Echocardiography and cardiac biomarkers in patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with platinum-based chemotherapy
Authors: Omersa Daniel , Cufer Tanja , Marcun Robert , Lainscak Mitja
Published: February 2017

Background

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer and remains an important cause of cancer death worldwide. Platinum-based chemotherapy (PBC) for NSCLC can modify outcome while the risk of cardiotoxicity remains poorly researched. We aimed to evaluate the incidence and severity of cardiac injury during PBC in patients with NSCLC and to identify patients at risk.

Methods

This was a single-centre, prospective, observational study of patients with early and advanced stage NSCLC referred for PBC. In addition to standard care, patients were examined and evaluated for cardiotoxicity before the first dose (visit 1), at the last dose (visit 2) and 6 months after the last dose of PBC (visit 3). Cardiotoxicity (at visit 2 and 3) was defined as increase in the ultrasensitive troponin T, N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide or decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Results

Overall, 41 patients (mean age 61 ± 9; 54% men; 68% advanced lung cancer) were included. The median number of PBC cycles was 4. During the study period, there were no incidents of heart failure, and 3 deaths caused by tumour progression were recorded. The mean values of biomarkers and LVEF did not change significantly (p > 0.20). However, 10 (25%) had cardiotoxicity which was independently associated with a history of ischemic heart disease (p = 0.026).

Conclusions

In NSCLC, cardiac assessment and lifestyle modifications may be pursued in patients with a history of cardiac disease and in patients with longer life expectancy.
Safety and efficacy of doxorubicin-eluting superabsorbent polymer microspheres for the treatment of liver metastases from neuroendocrine tumours: preliminary results
Authors: Bonne Lawrence , Verslype Chris , Laenen Annouschka , Cornelissen Sandra , Deroose Christophe M. , Prenen Hans , Vandecaveye Vincent , Van Cutsem Eric , Maleux Geert
Published: February 2017

Background

The aim of the study was to retrospectively evaluate the symptom control, tumour response, and complication rate in patients with liver-predominant metastatic neuroendocrine tumours treated with transarterial chemoembolization using doxorubicin-eluting superabsorbent polymer (SAP) microspheres.

Patients and methods

Patients with neuroendocrine liver metastases who underwent hepatic transarterial chemoembolization using doxorubicin-eluting SAP-microspheres (50–100 μm Hepasphere/Quadrasphere Microsphere® particles, Merit Medical, South Jordan, Utah, USA) were included in this study. Pre-and post-procedure imaging studies were evaluated to assess short and intermediate-term tumour response using modified RECIST criteria. Symptom relief and procedure-related complications were evaluated.

Results

A total of 27 embolization procedures were performed on 17 patients. Twelve of 17 patients (70%) were symptomatic, including carcinoid syndrome (n = 8) and severe, uncontrollable hypoglycemia (n = 4). Eight of 12 patients (67%) had complete symptom relief, and the remaining 4 (33%) had partial relief. One patient developed ischemic cholecystitis (6%). No other hepatobiliary complications occurred. Short-term and intermediate-term imaging follow-up was available for 15/17 patients (88%) and 12/14 patients (86%) respectively. At short-term follow-up (< 3 months), 14 patients (93%) showed partial response and the remaining patient had progressive disease (7%). At intermediate-term imaging follow-up (> 3 months), partial response, stable disease and progressive disease were found respectively in 7 (58%), 3 (25%) and 2 (17%) patients.

Conclusions

Chemoembolization with doxorubicin-eluting SAP-microspheres is a safe and effective treatment option for neuroendocrine liver metastases and is associated with a low complication rate. In particular, no clinically evident liver necrosis or bile duct complications were encountered.
School Mediators in the Romanian Education System. A Discussion on Their Role in Addressing Educational Inequalities
Authors: Pop Florina , Balea Bianca
Published: February 2017

Based on findings from the project ‘Socio-graphic mapping of the Roma Communities in Romania for a community-level monitoring of changes with regard to Roma integration’, the article analyses the role of school mediators in influencing school practices for the reduction of the inequalities Roma students face within the education system. This study investigates the school mediators’ perception of causes and solutions for the difficulties Roma students face within the education system, while keeping in mind the current legislation and the public discourse on Roma. In order to gain a comprehensive understanding, we also investigate school mediators’ perception towards their work, as well as the manner they evaluate collaboration with colleagues, Roma families and other local stakeholders. Our findings illustrate that the school mediator carries out a multitude of tasks sometimes only partly related to the field of school mediation. At the same time, school mediators engage in a type of public discourse with regard to Roma which highlights individual responsibility and merits as solutions in order to overcome disadvantage. With regard to work satisfaction, although school mediators are poorly trained and they deal with a difficult and high amount of work, they report being highly satisfied with some aspects of their work.
Saying it again: enhancing clarity in English as a lingua franca (ELF) talk through self-repetition
Authors: Kaur Jagdish
Published: February 2017

Recent research into the use of English as a lingua franca (ELF) in international settings reveals that its multilingual, multicultural participants rely on various interactional practices to negotiate meaning and arrive at shared understanding. In this regard, repetition, which has been identified as a widely used multifunctional procedure that facilitates the production, comprehension, and interaction processes in communication, has been shown to play a crucial role both in pre-empting and resolving understanding problems. This paper reports on a study conducted to investigate further how same-speaker repetition in an ongoing turn may be used to manage the lingua-cultural diversity inherent in the ELF situation and promote effective communication. Fifteen hours of audio-recorded naturally occurring ELF conversations in an academic setting were analyzed using conversation-analytic procedures. Fine-grained analyses of the data show that speakers repeat their speech in ways that can enhance the clarity of expression, which may contribute to increased recipient understanding. Specifically, the speakers employ parallel phrasing, key word repetition, combined repetition and repaired repetition that result not only in redundancy but more importantly in added prominence or the foregrounding of segments of talk that are oriented to as crucial in the meaning-making process.
Directing and requesting: two interactive uses of the mental state terms want and need
Authors: Childs Carrie
Published: February 2017

This article is focused on the uses of the terms
Pointing gestures in video blogs
Authors: Frobenius Maximiliane
Published: February 2017

Video blogs are a form of CMC (computer-mediated communication) that feature speakers who talk into a camera, and thereby produce a viewer-directed performance. Pointing gestures are part of the resources that the medium affords to design vlogs for the absent recipients. Based on a corpus of 40 vlogs, this research categorizes different kinds of common pointing actions in vlogs. Close analysis reveals the role multimodal factors such as gaze and body posture play along with deictic gestures and verbal reference in the production of a viewer-directed monologue. Those instances where vloggers point at referents outside the video frame, e.g., elements of the Web site that represent alternative modes of communication, such as written comments, receive particular attention in the present study, as they require mutual knowledge about the shared virtual context the vlog is situated in.
Making learning ordinary: ways undergraduates display learning in a CMC task
Authors: Paulus Trena M. , Lester Jessica N.
Published: February 2017

We report findings from a discourse analysis study situated within a discursive psychology framework that examined how undergraduate nutrition science students took up a computer-mediated communication task in which they were asked to write about what they learned after attending a lecture. Students made learning displays by orienting to the lecture as a news receipt and making assessments of this new information in variable ways. Some did this by marking an extreme change of state through surprise tokens and realization patterns, functioning to position the new information as so extreme that anyone would have learned something new. Others displayed more neutral assessments of the information or claimed no change of state at all, functioning to distance themselves from having learned anything. Both strategies are ways of “doing being ordinary,” while completing a delicate task that presented them with a potential dilemma of displaying their learning for an invisible audience of their peers.
Papers, documents, and the opening of an academic supervision encounter
Authors: Svinhufvud Kimmo , Vehviläinen Sanna
Published: February 2017

Despite a growing interest in the interaction in academic pedagogical settings, the role of texts in the actual interaction has not been systematically addressed. This article examines the practices and orientations through which written documents have a significant role in the openings of supervision encounters. We use videotaped recordings of supervision encounters and adopt conversation-analytical methodology to analyze the data.

The analysis consists of two main foci: (i) the initial moments of the encounter prior to the actual supervisory activity, and (ii) the launching of the supervisory activity and the negotiation of what that activity will entail. We analyze the orientations toward the document as the necessary object of the joint activity and the prominent bodily orientation toward the papers during the initial moments of the encounter. Furthermore, when the participants move from the initial moments of the encounter toward the main activity, the paper document plays a major role in that interaction.

In our conclusions, we summarize our observations as shared, implicit orientations related to the role of the document. These assumptions constitute the “implicit pedagogy” of the supervisory encounter. We will discuss some of the consequences of this type of pedagogy.
Words as weapons for mass persuasion: dysphemism in Churchill's wartime speeches
Authors: Crespo-Fernández Eliecer
Published: February 2017

Politicians and orators employ words as weapons in order to exert ideological control and make an audience believe something in an ostensive way. In this regard, taking critical-political discourse analysis and appraisal theory as theoretical frameworks, it is the purpose of this paper to shed some light on the dysphemistic words and expressions identified in some of the memorable wartime speeches over a crucial two-year period for the outcome of the Second World War (1940–1941) by one of the most outstanding British politicians and statesmen, Winston Churchill. As metaphors are pervasive in political discourse and vital to the language of leadership, special attention is given to the analysis of dysphemistic figurative language within Lakoff and Johnson's conceptual metaphor theory and Charteris-Black's critical metaphor analysis. The results obtained support the idea that Churchill's skillful use of dysphemism is closely connected with his overall political goals of instilling courage and inspiring confidence in his fellow countrymen in such difficult times for Britain as those of a war against the powerful Nazi Germany.
Research paper. Data on the Beetle Fauna (Insecta: Coleoptera) in “Frumoasa” Site of Community Importance (ROSCI0085, Romania) and Its Surroundings
Authors: Stan Melania , Serafim Rodica , Maican Sanda
Published: February 2017

222 coleopteran species and subspecies, belonging to 25 families, were found between 2014-2015 during faunal sampling in “Frumoasa” Site and its surroundings. Out of them, Carabus variolosus Fabricius, Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus), Osmoderma eremita (Scopoli), Cerambyx cerdo (Linnaeus), Morimus funereus Mulsant and Rosalia alpina (Linnaeus) are species of community importance, included in the Annex II of the Habitat Directive. In addition, several endemic or rare species/subspecies were collected: Carabus gigas gigas Creutzer, C. planicollis planicollis Küster, C. obsoletus carpathicus Palliardi, Poecilus szepligetii szepligetii (Csiki), Pterostichus findelii (Dejean) and P. pilosus wellensii (Drapiez).
Evidence for an Additive Neurorestorative Effect of Simultaneously Administered CDNF and GDNF in Hemiparkinsonian Rats: Implications for Different Mechanism of Action
Authors: Voutilainen Merja H. , De Lorenzo Francesca , Stepanova Polina , Bäck Susanne , Yu Li-Ying , Lindholm Päivi , Pörsti Eeva , Saarma Mart , Männistö Pekka T. , Tuominen Raimo K.
Published: February 2017

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with a progressive loss of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons of the substantia nigra (SN) and the accumulation of intracellular inclusions containing α-synuclein. Current therapies do not stop the progression of the disease, and the efficacy of these treatments wanes over time. Neurotrophic factors (NTFs) are naturally occurring proteins promoting the survival and differentiation of neurons and the maintenance of neuronal contacts. CDNF (cerebral dopamine NTF) and GDNF (glial cell line-derived NTF) are able to protect DAergic neurons against toxin-induced degeneration in experimental models of PD. Here, we report an additive neurorestorative effect of coadministration of CDNF and GDNF in the unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesion model of PD in rats. NTFs were given into the striatum four weeks after unilateral intrastriatal injection of 6-OHDA (20 µg). Amphetamine-induced (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.) rotational behavior was measured every two weeks. Number of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive cells from SN pars compacta (SNpc) and density of TH-positive fibers in the striatum were analyzed at 12 weeks after lesion. CDNF and GDNF alone restored the DAergic function, and one specific dose combination had an additive effect: CDNF (2.5µg) and GDNF (1µg) coadministration led to a stronger trophic effect relative to either of the single treatments alone. The additive effect may indicate different mechanism of action for the NTFs. Indeed, both NTFs activated the survival promoting PI3 kinase (PI3K)-Akt signaling pathway, but only CDNF decreased the expression level of tested endoplasmatic reticulum (ER) stress markers ATF6, glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), and phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α subunit (eIF2α).
Major impacts of climate change on deep-sea benthic ecosystems
Authors: Sweetman Andrew K. , Thurber Andrew R. , Smith Craig R. , Levin Lisa A. , Mora Camilo , Wei Chih-Lin , Gooday Andrew J. , Jones Daniel O. B. , Rex Michael , Yasuhara Moriaki , Ingels Jeroen , Ruhl Henry A. , Frieder Christina A. , Danovaro Roberto , Würzberg Laura , Baco Amy , Grupe Benjamin M. , Pasulka Alexis , Meyer Kirstin S. , Dunlop Katherine M. , Henry Lea-Anne , Roberts J. Murray
Published: February 2017

The deep sea encompasses the largest ecosystems on Earth. Although poorly known, deep seafloor ecosystems provide services that are vitally important to the entire ocean and biosphere. Rising atmospheric greenhouse gases are bringing about significant changes in the environmental properties of the ocean realm in terms of water column oxygenation, temperature, pH and food supply, with concomitant impacts on deep-sea ecosystems. Projections suggest that abyssal (3000–6000 m) ocean temperatures could increase by 1°C over the next 84 years, while abyssal seafloor habitats under areas of deep-water formation may experience reductions in water column oxygen concentrations by as much as 0.03 mL L–1 by 2100. Bathyal depths (200–3000 m) worldwide will undergo the most significant reductions in pH in all oceans by the year 2100 (0.29 to 0.37 pH units). O2 concentrations will also decline in the bathyal NE Pacific and Southern Oceans, with losses up to 3.7% or more, especially at intermediate depths. Another important environmental parameter, the flux of particulate organic matter to the seafloor, is likely to decline significantly in most oceans, most notably in the abyssal and bathyal Indian Ocean where it is predicted to decrease by 40–55% by the end of the century. Unfortunately, how these major changes will affect deep-seafloor ecosystems is, in some cases, very poorly understood. In this paper, we provide a detailed overview of the impacts of these changing environmental parameters on deep-seafloor ecosystems that will most likely be seen by 2100 in continental margin, abyssal and polar settings. We also consider how these changes may combine with other anthropogenic stressors (e.g., fishing, mineral mining, oil and gas extraction) to further impact deep-seafloor ecosystems and discuss the possible societal implications.
Unconventional Recombination in the Mating Type Locus of Heterothallic Apple Canker Pathogen Valsa mali
Authors: Yin Zhiyuan , Ke Xiwang , Li Zhengpeng , Chen Jiliang , Gao Xiaoning , Huang Lili
Published: February 2017

Sexual reproduction in filamentous ascomycetes is controlled by the mating type (MAT) locus, including two idiomorphs MAT1-1 and MAT1-2. Understanding the MAT locus can provide clues for unveiling the sexual development and virulence factors for fungal pathogens. The genus Valsa (Sordariomycetes, Diaporthales) contains many tree pathogens responsible for destructive canker diseases. The sexual stage of these ascomycetes is occasionally observed in nature, and no MAT locus has been reported to date. Here, we identified the MAT locus of the apple canker pathogen Valsa mali, which causes extensive damage, and even death, to trees. V. mali is heterothallic in that each isolate carries either the MAT1-1 or MAT1-2 idiomorph. However, the MAT structure is distinct from that of many other heterothallic fungi in the Sordariomycetes. Two flanking genes, COX13 and APN2, were coopted into the MAT locus, possibly by intrachromosomal rearrangement. After the acquisition of foreign genes, unequal recombination occurred between MAT1-1/2 idiomorphs, resulting in a reverse insertion in the MAT1-2 idiomorph. Evolutionary analysis showed that the three complete MAT1-1-2, COX13, and APN2 genes in this region diverged independently due to different selection pressure. Null hypothesis tests of a 1:1 MAT ratio of 86 V. mali isolates from four different provinces showed a relatively balanced distribution of the two idiomorphs in the fields. These results provide insights into the evolution of the mating systems in Sordariomycetes.
ACL Tears in School-Aged Children and Adolescents Over 20 Years
Authors: Beck Nicholas A. , Lawrence J. Todd R. , Nordin James D. , DeFor Terese A. , Tompkins Marc
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND:

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are thought to occur with increasing frequency in young patients. No study has shown increased incidence over time. We hypothesized the incidence of ACL tears in young patients has increased over the past 20 years.

METHODS:

This descriptive epidemiology study is a retrospective review of insurance billing data of all patients aged 6 to 18 years with Current Procedural Terminology, Fourth Revision codes for ACL tear and reconstruction or International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes from 1994 to 2013. Injuries were normalized to persons per year enrolled in the insurance database based on age and sex. Analysis was performed based on sex and age (6–14, 15–16, and 17–18 years).

RESULTS:

The rate of ACL tears per 100 000 person-years averaged 121 ± 19 (range 92–151). All trends increased significantly except for the male 6- to 14-year-old and 17- to 18-year-old age groups. Overall there was an annual increase of 2.3%. Females had significantly higher incidence except in the 17- to 18-year-olds. Females peaked at age 16 years and males at age 17 years, with rates of 392 ACL tears and 422 ACL tears per 100 000 person-years, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

The incidence of ACL tears in pediatric patients increased over the last 20 years. Females were at higher risk except in the 17- to 18-year -old group. Peak incidence is noted during high school years. These data help target the most at-risk patients for ACL prevention programs.
Adaptación del Inventario de Duelo Complicado en Población Colombiana
Authors: Gamba-Collazos Héctor Alfredo , Navia Arroyo Carmen Elvira
Published: February 2017

Se realizó la adaptación del Inventario de Duelo Complicado (idc) en población colombiana. Cinco jurados evaluaron el contenido y ajuste cultural del cuestionario y luego este fue aplicado a una muestra de 120 adultos que experimentaron el fallecimiento de un familiar. Los análisis psicométricos indicaron una consistencia interna similar a la de la prueba original y superior a la de la adaptación española, buena estabilidad temporal, asociaciones positivas con pruebas de depresión y ansiedad usadas para evaluar la validez convergente y tres factores significativos. Se concluye que la versión adaptada del idc tiene propiedades psicométricas adecuadas, por lo que puede ser usada en población colombiana, pero se recomienda realizar una validación con una muestra más grande y usar herramientas como una entrevista clínica para establecer el alcance diagnóstico del inventario.
Rel@cionamentos.com: Diferenciando os Relacionamentos Amorosos Mediados e não Mediados pela Internet
Authors: Haack Karla Rafaela , Falcke Denise
Published: February 2017

O objetivo deste estudo quantitativo foi descrever o perfil discriminante entre relacionamentos amorosos mediados pela internet e relacionamentos amorosos não mediados por esta de 86 participantes. As variáveis que discriminaram os grupos foram decisão/compromisso, paixão, intimidade, satisfação, tempo geral de uso diário de internet, tempo diário de uso de internet direcionado para manter contato social e problemas conjugais. A internet tem sido utilizada para contatos amorosos, porém os resultados deste estudo indicam que ela serve essencialmente como meio para aproximar pessoas que talvez nunca se encontrassem sem esse recurso; contudo, sugere-se que a continuidade do relacionamento depende do encontro presencial.
Incidencia de Mindfulness y Qi Gong sobre el Estado de Salud, Bienestar Psicológico, Satisfacción Vital y Estrés Laboral
Authors: Oblitas Guadalupe Luis Armando , Turbay Miranda Rosmery , Soto Prada Kelly-Johana , Borrero Tito Crissien , Cortes Peña Omar Fernando , Scarpati Mildred Puello , Ucrós Campo María mónica
Published: February 2017

El presente estudio se realizó a través de un abordaje metodológico pre-experimental con medidas de tipo pre-test y post-test. Participaron 52 trabajadores de la Universidad de la Costa (Barranquilla, Colombia), quienes asistieron por invitación al taller de ocho horas de mindfulness y qi gong para el mejoramiento de la salud, bienestar psicológico, satisfacción vital y reducción del estrés. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron el Cuestionario de Salud sf-11, Escala de Bienestar Psicológico (Ryff & Keyes, 1995), Escala de Satisfacción Vital (Cortés, 2013) y Escala Numérica de Estrés Laboral. La combinación de mindfulness y qi gong produjo una mejoría en el estado de salud de los trabajadores —salud general, energía, eficiencia, actividades domésticas y disminución del dolor—, cambios importantes en el bienestar psicológico —adaptación, confianza, claridad, apertura y autoestima—, y mejoramiento de la satisfacción vital —salud y productividad—. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en los niveles de estrés laboral.
Editorial
Authors: Corredor-Aristizábal Javier
Published: February 2017

Editorial