bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Object-based Image Mapping of Conifer Tree Mortality in San Diego County based on Multitemporal Aerial Ortho-imagery
Authors: Freeman Mary Pyott , Stow Doulas A. , Roberts Dar A.
Published: July 2016

Two GEOBIA approaches are compared for their effectiveness in mapping dead trees within island montane forests of Southern California: a spatial contextual approach using an artificial neural network classifier, and a segmentation and multi-pixel classification approach. Both approaches
are tested with multitemporal aerial orthoimagery having varying spatial resolutions. Spectral transformation inputs are also tested. An object-based accuracy assessment is conducted. Accuracies range between 30 percent to 90 percent for the dead tree class and are significantly higher for
the spatial-contextual approach. Inclusion of spectral transforms increased accuracies by 5 percent for the true object-based approach, up to 13 percent for the spatial contextual approach, and reduced commission error up to 10 percent for both approaches. Masking techniques increased accuracies
of the spatial contextual approach by 20 percent. With manual editing, the most accurate maps of individual live and dead trees from the spatial contextual approach are suitable for studying spatio-temporal trends in montane conifer mortality.
Paradoxien der Biopolitik
Authors: Gorgoglione Ruggiero
Published: July 2016

Welche Rolle spielt die Persistenz des Todes im Inneren einer Politik des Lebens? In einer kritischen Rekonstruktion und Ergänzung der Begriffe und Thesen von Giorgio Agamben, Roberto Esposito sowie Michael Hardt und Antonio Negri entlarvt der italienische Soziologe Ruggiero Gorgoglione die zentralen Paradoxien der Biopolitik. Am Beispiel des biopolitischen Dispositivs veranschaulicht der Band, wie Philosophie und Gesellschaftstheorie in Italien einen grundlegenden Beitrag zur Lösung dringender Probleme des Politischen leisten können.
Berlin im Feuilleton der Weimarer Republik
Authors: Rautenstrauch Eike
Published: July 2016

Das Feuilleton, auch Kulturressort genannt, hat von den Kulturwissenschaften bisher kaum Beachtung erfahren. Insbesondere die »Zeitungsstadt« Berlin jedoch brachte während der Weimarer Republik einen faszinierenden Fundus an feuilletonistischer Kurzprosa hervor, der die kulturellen Charakteristika der Metropole kennzeichnete. Eike Rautenstrauch untersucht exemplarische, im Feuilleton publizierte Kurzessays von Joseph Roth, Bernard von Brentano und Siegfried Kracauer, die sich anhand von Architekturfigurationen in zeitgenössische Kulturdiskurse einschreiben. Die Synthese von literaturwissenschaftlicher Essayforschung und kulturhistorischer Feuilletonforschung stellt in dieser Form ein methodisches Novum dar.
Organizing Networks
Authors: Belliger Andréa , Krieger David J.
Published: July 2016

What are organizations? Where do they come from? How are they transformed and adapted to new situations? In the digital age and in the global network society, traditional theories of the organization can no longer answer these questions. Based on actor-network theory, this book explains organizations as flexible, open networks in which both human and non-human actors enter into socio-technical assemblies by constantly negotiating and re-negotiating programs of action. Organizations are not macro social structures or autonomous systems operating behind the backs of individuals. Instead, they are scalable actor-networks guided by network norms of connectivity, flow, communication, participation, authenticity, and flexibility.
Measuring Human Body Temperature through Temperature Sensing Fabric
Authors: Husain Muhammad Dawood , Naqvi Shenela , Atalay Ozgur , Hamdani Syed Talha Ali , Kennon Richard
Published: July 2016

Continuous measurement of temperature profiles on the surface of the human body offers various kinds of information valuable for clinical diagnosis and as a useful guide to take suitable action. In this article, the behavior of a newly developed temperature sensing fabric (TSF) over extended periods of time in a practical application and its comparison with a reference temperature sensor was investigated. The performance of the TSF was analyzed by measuring the human body skin temperature under steady-state and dynamic conditions. A dedicated interface was built in the LabVIEW environment to measure and record the temperature readings of the TSF and reference temperature sensor simultaneously. The reference and TSF sensors both followed exactly the same trends and experienced the same type of movement artifacts.
C*-simplicity of locally compact Powers groups
Authors: Raum Sven
Published: July 2016

In this article we initiate research on locally compact

C
*

\mathrm{C}^{*}

-simple groups. We first show that every

C
*

\mathrm{C}^{*}

-simple group must be totally disconnected. Then we study

C
*

\mathrm{C}^{*}

-algebras and von Neumann algebras associated with certain groups acting on trees. After formulating a locally compact analogue of Powers’ property, we prove that the reduced group

C
*

\mathrm{C}^{*}

-algebra of such groups is simple. This is the first simplicity result for

C
*

\mathrm{C}^{*}

-algebras of non-discrete groups and answers a question of de la Harpe. We also consider group von Neumann algebras of certain non-discrete groups acting on trees. We prove factoriality, determine their type and show non-amenability. We end the article by giving natural examples of groups satisfying the hypotheses of our work.
New copulas based on general
partitions-of-unity and their applications to
risk management
Authors: Pfeifer Dietmar , Tsatedem Hervé Awoumlac , Mändle Andreas , Girschig Côme
Published: July 2016

We construct new multivariate copulas on the basis of a generalized infinite partition-of-unity approach.
This approach allows, in contrast to finite partition-of-unity copulas, for tail-dependence as well as
for asymmetry. A possibility of fitting such copulas to real data from quantitative risk management is also
pointed out.
Colorimetry Technique as a Tool for Determining Release Kinetics and Mass Transfer Parameters of Anthocyanins Encapsulated in W1/O/W2 Double Emulsions
Authors: Escobar Blanco Mónica , Quezada Gallo J. Alberto , Estrada Arias K. Shaindel , Pedroza Islas Ruth
Published: July 2016

Anthocyanin extract (AE) was encapsulated in W1/O/W2 double emulsions and colorimetry technique using the CIE L*a*b* system was used to determine the release kinetics. Parameters a* and b* better correlated the variations in color of emulsions due to the release of AE into the external phase. Chroma value (C*) was used for tracking these color variations and to determine the release kinetics. The emulsions showed high stability, droplet sizes didn’t change after 30 days of storage (D4,3=4.74±0.12 μm), and 2.7 % AE was released to the external phase after this time. The possible release mechanism of AE from the internal phase of the emulsion is diffusion controlled with good accordance to Fick’s first law (R
2=0.9938) with a diffusion coefficient of 7.15×10−8 cm2/d.
Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of Flash-Assisted Extracted Dihydroquercetin from Wood Sawdust of Larix gmelinii Using a Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Li Jianxia , Zhang Qiaohui , Cui Jie , Ning Yaping , Wang Fengjun , Ouyang Jie , Wang Jianzhong
Published: July 2016

We investigate a flash-assisted extraction of dihydroquercetin (DHQ) from wood sawdust of Larix gmelinii by response surface methodology. Box–Behnken design optimized the extraction conditions, and the highest DHQ yield (6.15 %) was obtained under optimal extraction conditions: FAE time (3 min), extraction time (3 h), solid-to-liquid (g/mL) ratio (1:15), and ethanol concentration (75 %). After purification, the DHQ purity was 96 % as determined by HPLC and was further characterized by FTIR. Purified DHQ’s antioxidant activities were confirmed in vitro by determining DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities and reducing Fe3+ power. In the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity assays, DHQ displayed prominent antioxidant activities with low IC50 values (11.568 and 12.475 μg/mL, respectively). In reducing Fe3+ power assay, high DHQ absorbance values showed that DHQ had higher reducing power than butylated hydroxyl toluene and had nearly the same consistent power as ascorbic acid at the same doses.
Physical properties of Physalis peruviana L.
Authors: Oliveira Solange F. , Gonçalves Fernando J. A. , Correia Paula M. R. , Guiné Raquel P. F.
Published: July 2016

Physalis (Physalis peruviana L.), also known
as cape gooseberry or ground-cherry, plays an important
role in nutrition as an excellent base for dietetic products.
Highly valued for its unique flavour, texture and colour,
recent research has shown that physalis fruit is rich in
many beneficial compounds.
In this study, the diameter and mass of physalis fruits were
measured, which can be used to calculate other biometric
characteristics of the fruit, such as: surface area, volume
or density. Other physical properties were measured,
namely the colour coordinates, by means of a Chroma
meter, whilst the textural parameters firmness and elasticity
were measured with a texturometer.
The following values were calculated for the physalis
fruits analysed in the present work: 1.69 cm for average
diameter; 8.98 cm2 for surface area, 2.51 cm3 for volume;
2.77 g for mass was, and 1.10 g/cm3 for density. The colour
coordinates were 56.72 for lightness, 16.69 for redness,
and 58.11 for yellowness. Skin firmness and elasticity
were evaluated for texture attributes, and their average
values were 2.40 N and 2.94 mm, respectively. The results
of this work are in accordance with data reported by other
authors in the literature.
The role of non-governmental organizations in the mental health area: differences in understanding
Authors: Zupančič Vesna , Pahor Majda
Published: July 2016

Introduction

The contribution’s aim is highlighting the differences in understanding non-governmental organizations’ (NGOs) role in the mental health area within the public support network for patients with mental health problems from various viewpoints, in order to achieve progress in supporting patients with mental health problems in local communities.

Methods

Qualitative data gathered as a part of a cross-sectional study of NGOs in the support network for patients with mental health problems in two Slovenian health regions (56 local communities), carried out in 2013 and 2014, were used. Qualitative analysis of interviews, focus groups and answers to an open survey question was performed.

Results

There are differences in understanding NGOs’ role in the support network for patients with mental health problems, which stem from the roles of stakeholders (local community officials, experts, care providers, and patients) within this system and their experience.

Discussion and conclusion

The actual differences need to be addressed and overcome in order to provide integrated community care. The importance of knowing the current state of NGOs in their life cycle and the socio-chronological context of the local community support network is evident.
Health-related quality of life in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy
Authors: Radsel Anja , Osredkar Damjan , Neubauer David
Published: July 2016

Introduction

In a cross-sectional cohort study, health-related quality of life of Slovenian children and adolescents with cerebral palsy was examined, and factors associated with it have been identified.

Methods

Caregivers of 122 children and adolescents with cerebral palsy were addressed to fill out proxy versions of HRQoL questionnaires (DISABKIDS generic and cerebral palsy module). Children and adolescents without cognitive deficit were asked to fill out the self-report versions.

Results

Ninety-one families of 43 children (the mean age is 10 years, 6 months, SD 1.2; 26 males and 17 females) and 48 adolescents (the mean age is 14 years, SD 0.9; 23 males and 25 females) completed proxyreports. Forty-eight individuals were able to self-report (26 children and 22 adolescents). Health-related quality of life was perceived as good. Self-reporting participants scored higher than their caregivers (mean score 75.6, SD 15.9 versus mean 72.3, SD 17.9; p=0.048). Adolescents scored lower than children in all domains (mean score 69.4, SD 19.4 versus mean 80.8, SD 10.0; p=0.01). Higher age (p<0.001), pain (p<0.001) and disturbed sleep (p=0.002) were strong predictors of worse health-related quality of life. Social Inclusion and Independence domains received the lowest scores.

Conclusions

Slovenian children and adolescents with cerebral palsy have a good health-related quality of life, with Social Inclusion and Independence being the weakest domains. Children reported higher scores than adolescents or their caretakers. Pain was the strongest predictor of poor health-related quality of life.
Encouraging employees to report verbal violence in primary health care in Serbia: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Fisekovic Kremic Marina B , Terzic-Supic Zorica J , Santric-Milicevic Milena M , Trajkovic Goran Z
Published: July 2016

Introduction

Workplace violence is a serious and multidimensional problem that adversely affects professional and personal lives of employees. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and characteristics of verbal violence as a part of psychological violence among employees in primary health care in Belgrade, and to identify contributing factors of verbal violence in the workplace.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, the final analysis included 1526 employees, using multi-stage sampling. Data were collected using the questionnaire Workplace Violence in the Health Sector Country Case Studies Research, developed by ILO/ICN/WHO/PSI. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used to analyse the data. The general response rate was 86.8% (1526/1757).

Results

It was found that 47.8% of the participants were subjected to verbal violence. The main source of verbal violence was patient/client, 55.6% of employees did not report the incident. Among those who did not report the incident, 74.9% believed that reporting violence was useless. The interaction with patients (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.02-2.06) and work between 6pm and 7am (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.01-1.60) were significant contributing factors of verbal violence.

Conclusion

The results are indicative of a high prevalence of verbal violence against employees in primary health centres, which could have undesirable consequences. Conducting a better organizational measure and encouraging employees to report workplace violence could reduce the prevalence of verbal violence.
The evaluation of MRSA surveillance cultures by the number and combinations of anatomical sites
Authors: Grmek Kosnik Irena , Storman Alenka , Petrovic Ziva , Robnik Slavica , Dermota Urska , Zohar Cretnik Tjasa
Published: July 2016

Introduction

The identification of patients infected and/or colonised by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is necessary for the timely introduction of measures for infection control. We compared the diagnostic efficacy of combinations of MRSA surveillance swabs routinely taken by health institutions in the country.

Methods

All surveillance samples, which were sent for a microbiological analysis to detect MRSA with the culture method in 2014, in the three departments for medical microbiology of the National Laboratory for Health, Environment and Food, were included in this study.

Results

Among 65,251 surveillance cultures from 13,274 persons, 1,233 (2.1%) were positive (490 positive persons). Prevailing positive surveillance cultures were throat swabs (31.3%), followed by nose swab (31.2%), skin swab (18.9%), perineum (16.4%) and wound swabs (1.4%). The contribution of other samples, such as aspirate, urine and excreta, was under 1%. We found no statistically significant differences in the frequency of detection of a positive patient, if the combination of samples NTS (nose, throat, skin) or NTP (nose, throat, perineum) was analysed. However, statistically significant differences were confirmed when any of the anatomic sites would be omitted from the sets of NTP and NTS (chi square; p<0.01). Adding additional samples resulted in only 24 additional positive patients (4.9%).

Conclusions

The results indicate that increasing the number of surveillance cultures above three does not add much to the sensitivity of MRSA surveillance, the exception could be wound. The swabs from the perineum and from the skin are exchangeable.
Comparing the Efficacy of Flipped vs. Alternative Active Learning in a College Genetics Course
Authors: Mennella Thomas A.
Published: July 2016

Active learning is known to be a key component of student engagement and content mastery. Flipped learning is a pedagogical approach that moves passive, initial instruction out of the classroom (usually as recorded videos) and reserves class time for active-learning exercises that fortify learning. Reports have demonstrated the success of flipped learning, but it is unclear whether that success is due to students watching videos at home (i.e., the “flipped” structure of the flipped classroom) or to the active learning that takes place in class. I sought to answer that question by comparing two sections of sophomore-level college genetics. One section was flipped and the other taught traditionally, but with extensive active learning included as homework. Student satisfaction, performance on quizzes and exams, and overall achievement of course learning goals were compared. Interestingly, after taking into account the diversity of academic strength in both sections, there was no difference between the sections for any of the measured parameters. Although flipped learning may offer no additional benefit over other forms of active learning, it is far easier and more efficient to embed and integrate active learning into a flipped classroom.
Increasing Authenticity & Inquiry in the Cell & Molecular Biology Laboratory
Authors: McLaughlin Jacqueline S. , Coyle Melissa S.
Published: July 2016

This article features a four-step pedagogical framework that can be used to transform the undergraduate biology laboratory into an authentic research experience. The framework utilizes a four-step scaffolding structure that not only guides students through the process of science and helps them gain mastery of relevant scientific practices, but also simplifies and streamlines the instructor's process of designing and implementing an authentic research experience in a biology lab course. We used this pedagogical framework to design an authentic research experience in which students investigated various factors affecting the growth and viability of a mammalian cell line, Vero cells isolated from kidney epithelial cells extracted from an African green monkey. Although this particular lab was designed for a cell and molecular biology course for university sophomores, the flexibility built into the pedagogical framework allows it to be used to design research experiences that can be implemented within a wide variety of lab courses at varying levels, effectively increasing the amount of authentic research experiences in biology lab courses nationwide.
Student Scientists: Transforming the Undergraduate Biology Lab into a Research Experience
Authors: Goedhart Christine M. , McLaughlin Jacqueline S.
Published: July 2016

This article features an authentic research-lab experience developed for use in a freshman-level general biology course for nonmajors at a two-year college. Students work in groups to select and investigate factors affecting microalgal cell growth and relate their findings to a real-life application of social significance. This lab experience was designed using a four-step pedagogical framework originally developed at a four-year university in a sophomore-level molecular and cell biology course. The creators of the pedagogical framework at the four-year university mentored the instructor at the two-year college through the process of using the pedagogical framework to design and implement the authentic research lab experience described in this article. This example shows that adaptation of successful pedagogical models, particularly within mentoring partnerships, can greatly increase the implementation of authentic research experiences in biology lab courses at varying levels of study.
Using M&M's to Model Sanger's Dideoxy DNA Sequencing Method
Authors: Conley Joseph E. , Meisel Alex J. , Smith James J.
Published: July 2016

This lesson is designed to facilitate student understanding of the molecular structure of DNA, the cellular processes involved in DNA replication, and how these principles were applied to develop a method to determine the nucleotide sequence of DNA. The lesson employs an active and cooperative learning approach accomplished via a modified jigsaw exercise. The specific replication/sequencing process in this lesson is Sanger's dideoxy method of DNA sequencing. In conjunction with related lessons in lecture and lab, students read the relevant section of an appropriate introductory biology textbook and/or view videos explaining how Sanger's dideoxy chain-termination sequencing method works. Students working in four teams (A, C, G, and T) then use green, blue, brown, and red M&M's as nucleotides to build a model of the process. Plain M&M's represent deoxynucleotide triphosphates (dNTPs), while peanut M&M's represent the “terminator” dideoxynucleotide triphosphates (ddNTPs). The lesson addresses Next Generation Science Standards and learning goals typically found in college biology courses at introductory and advanced levels.
Reading Qualitative Inquiry through Critical Pedagogy
Authors: Dimitriadis Greg
Published: July 2016

In this paper, the author reads current debates in “postqualitative inquiry” through the lens of critical pedagogy, in particular the work of Paulo Freire. The author argues that the field should more fully embrace “inquiry” as a basic disposition. In addition, the author suggests that reading postqualitative inquiry through critical pedagogy can help us to challenge reductive approaches to “data” while also allowing us to get on with our work of thinking and acting differently in the world—our work of inquiry.
“The New Zealand Case”
Authors: Rinehart Robert
Published: July 2016

In this piece, I explore the similarities and differences—in terms of social justice issues—of two historical cases regarding Indigenous peoples: Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand and Navajo in the United States. I look at the foundational documents of the Treaty of Waitangi and the Navajo Treaty of 1868 and explore how they have been enacted in these two cases.
Schools as Learning Communities
Authors: García-Carrión Rocío
Published: July 2016

Schools succeeding against the odds can make a difference. However, this complex challenge has barely been achieved individually. Knowing that it takes a village to raise a child, schools as learning communities join everybody to develop a common understanding of the school ethos that promotes quality education for all. This article focuses on how this process turned despair into hope in an elementary school in one of the most marginalized areas in Spain. Building upon critical pedagogy and dialogic learning, I analyzed some turning points of this transformation. Particularly, the power of qualitative research under the communicative methodology approach seems to be crucial for (a) opening the classrooms and school to the community and (b) including people's voices into the research. Eight years later, evidence shows profound changes in people's lives. This case exemplifies the Freirean concept of the “untested feasibility,” which enables us to generate real transformations.
Social Transformation from the inside Out
Authors: Staller Karen M.
Published: July 2016

This essay is based on a paper delivered in 2014 as part of a panel celebrating the 10th anniversary of the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry (ICQI) and discussing critical pedagogy and qualitative research methods oriented toward social transformation. In this essay, I briefly examine the history of social work and its relationship to inquiry and pedagogy, my own academic biography, and the twinning of two scholarly initiatives, ICQI and the journal Qualitative Social Work: Research and Practice. I argue that the individual transformations and networks that have been nurtured in a decade of ICQI gatherings—taken as a collective whole—offer an exemplar of social transformation grounded in critical pedagogy and qualitative research methods.
Communicative Methodology
Authors: Gómez Aitor
Published: July 2016

While a part of the international scientific community has just ignored the Romà, another part has researched about their social exclusion but has excluded their voices. This fact, far from contributing to the social improvement, has only promoted prejudices and racist stereotypes, increasing their exclusion. Romà reject the exclusionary inquiries that exclude them. The communicative methodology of research (CMR) includes the voices of the group researched during the entire research process through the egalitarian dialogue between researched groups and researchers, thus constructing knowledge together. CMR, looking beyond the mere description of a social inequality, is oriented toward contributing to social transformation to overcome the inequality researched. This article shows how researching “with” instead of “on” the Romà conducted with CMR allows the improvement of the lives of the group studied and generates social impact.
Indigenous Methodologies as a Way of Social Transformation
Authors: Lewis Patrick
Published: July 2016

This work is from a panel presentation at the 10th International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry. The panel was titled “Indigenous Methodologies as a Way of Social Transformation”. I purposely kept the paper as it was presented in an effort to show the answer, at that moment, to the question: What does it mean to be an ally? Of course, the answer and the question are always changing…
Grandma's Story
Authors: Denzin Norman K.
Published: July 2016

“Grandma's Story” is about repressed memories, transgressions, and betrayal. I offer a family history that centers on the moment my grandfather handed my grandmother a baby girl given to him by an unwed mother. The baby girl was my mother.
Sex and Song
Authors: Firpo Christina
Published: July 2016

In the late nineteenth century, the French colonial government legalized prostitution in French-controlled areas of Tonkin. Although the colonial state tolerated prostitution, state regulations forced sex workers to register with the state and limited sex workers’ profits, mobility, and freedom. Consequently, a black market for clandestine unregistered prostitution developed, enabling workers to evade state restrictions. This article asserts that during the inter-war years (1920–1945) unregistered sex workers used Ả Đào music houses as fronts for clandestine prostitution. The colonial state attempted to curb illegal activities in various ways, but clandestine prostitutes easily evaded the state. By the late colonial era, Ả Đào music’s association with prostitution had damaged its reputation.
Mitochondrial DNA mutations in iPS cells: mtDNA integrity as standard iPSC selection criteria?
Authors: Hämäläinen Riikka H
Published: July 2016

Somatic cells harbor random heteroplasmic mitochondrial DNA mutations, which are considered to contribute to aging. In this issue of The EMBO Journal, Perales‐Clemente et al () show that mtDNA mutations, present at low levels in the starting fibroblasts, become enriched in iPS cells and lead to functional defects in iPS‐derived cells. In another recent study, Kang et al () demonstrated that accumulation of mtDNA mutations of somatic origin in iPSCs is age related.
A new hERG allosteric modulator rescues genetic and drug‐induced long‐QT syndrome phenotypes in cardiomyocytes from isogenic pairs of patient induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Sala Luca , Yu Zhiyi , Ward‐van Oostwaard Dorien , van Veldhoven Jacobus PD , Moretti Alessandra , Laugwitz Karl‐Ludwig , Mummery Christine L , IJzerman Adriaan P , Bellin Milena
Published: July 2016

Long‐QT syndrome (LQTS) is an arrhythmogenic disorder characterised by prolongation of the QT interval in the electrocardiogram, which can lead to sudden cardiac death. Pharmacological treatments are far from optimal for congenital forms of LQTS, while the acquired form, often triggered by drugs that (sometimes inadvertently) target the cardiac hERG channel, is still a challenge in drug development because of cardiotoxicity. Current experimental models in vitro fall short in predicting proarrhythmic properties of new drugs in humans. Here, we leveraged a series of isogenically matched, diseased and genetically engineered, human induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC‐CMs) from patients to test a novel hERG allosteric modulator for treating congenital LQTS, drug‐induced LQTS or a combination of the two. By slowing IKr deactivation and positively shifting IKr inactivation, the small molecule LUF7346 effectively rescued all of these conditions, demonstrating in a human system that allosteric modulation of hERG may be useful as an approach to treat inherited and drug‐induced LQTS. Furthermore, our study provides experimental support of the value of isogenic pairs of patient hiPSC‐CMs as platforms for testing drug sensitivities and performing safety pharmacology.
DNA forense aplicado na identificação de vítimas de crimes em Pernambuco, Brasil
Authors: Ekert M.H.F. , Oliveira N.C.L. , Souza C.A. de , Santos S.M. , Martins D.B.G. , Filho J.L.L.
Published: July 2016

Introdução: A identificação humana por DNA é atualmente considerada crucial para a resolução de situações envolvendo matéria penal, bem como aquelas relacionados à paternidade e continua revolucionando as áreas jurídicas e penais. As principais regiões polimórficas de DNA usados na rotina forense são os STRs (Short Tandem Repeats) presentes nos cromossomos autossômicos. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo identificar o perfil das vítimas afetadas por vários tipos de crimes ocorridos em Pernambuco. Materiais e Métodos: O Laboratório de Perícia e Pesquisa em Genética Forense (LPPGF) proveu 125 casos de vários tipos de crimes ocorridos em Pernambuco entre 2012 e 2014. A verificação de identificação humana por amostras de músculo e osso foi realizada por amplificação de DNA e genotipagem pela alimentação do sistema Plex Fusion (24 loci STR) e ABI PRISM 3500 HID respectivamente. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas pelos softwares: "famílias" e "patcan". Resultados: O LPPGF recebeu dois tipos de amostras biológicas para os ensaios de identificação genética humana: tecido ósseo (52,8%) e o tecido muscular (47,2%). A alta prevalência de casos em aberto (47,2%) e homicídio (42,4%), tanto na área metropolitana, quanto no interior, alerta a necessidade de implementar programas sociais de prevenção e qualidade de vida, além da necessidade de mais celeridade nas investigações policiais. Conclusões: A abordagem genética para identificação humana, principalmente vítimas de crimes, é uma condição importantíssima para a resolução de qualquer tipo de processo criminal e reduzir ainda mais a agonia vivida por famílias que tiveram seus entes queridos desaparecidos.
Forensic intelligence as a useful tool for reducing traffic fatalities: the Brazilian Federal District case
Authors: Camargo Filho Wilson X. , Telles Bruno , Andrade Charles A. , Sercheli Maurício S. , Kawano Nagao M. , Soares Reynaldo M. , Vicente Alexandre N. , Corrêa Rodrigo S. , Gomes Juliano A.
Published: July 2016

Traffic accidents in Brazil kill more than 40,000 people a year and injure another 400,000, with largely permanent health impacts. This paper proposes the use of Forensic Intelligence, a field of Forensic Science that is able to convert forensic data into useful information, as a means to support policy measures and strategies, in order to prevent accidents. The selected study site was a small stretch on a Federal Highway (BR-040), where four fatal crashes occurred at the beginning of 2012. This highway had good mobility conditions and had no problems that could be correlated with these four fatal events, although speeding, alcohol abuse, and/or driver inattention were present in the crashes. We propose some possible interventions here, such as the use of advertising campaigns, strengthening traffic law enforcement, reduction of the speed limit, and the installation of electronic speed control devices in order to avoid future traffic accidents.
L’autorizzaziones paesaggistica in Italia: un pilastro instabile
Authors: Florio Sergio
Published: July 2016

L’autorizzazione paesaggistica ha costituito un baluardo per il paesaggio, la cui protezione  risale al periodo anteriore alla Costituzione. Essa venne concepita come salvaguardia delle bellezze naturali, ma dopo la Costituzione del 1948, grazie anche agli studi della dottrina, il paesaggio assunse una dimensione culturale che superò l'aspetto estetico. La competenza al rilascio delle specifiche autorizzazioni, strumento chiave della protezione, dopo un periodo nel quale venne riservata allo Stato, fu delegata alle Regioni e si sono evidenziate numerose problematiche. Dopo la riforma del titolo la V della Costituzione del 2001 lo Stato ha assunto di nuovo un ruolo preminente, ma le problematiche, a cagione di interpretazioni e nuovi interventi legislativi, continuano a permanere.
Hacia una antropología digital en los Andes peruanos: teorías y estudios
Authors: Sánchez Dávila Mario Elmer
Published: July 2016

Este artículo explora teorías y estudios para una propuesta de antropología digital en los Andes peruanos. Por un lado, se explica los fundamentos teóricos en los cuales se sustenta una antropología digital en los Andes peruanos, enfatizando 1) Los orígenes de la antropología digital (desde una economía política de los medios de comunicación masiva y un enfoque post-colonial de las nuevas TIC); y 2) La tecnología digital como práctica social (desde los discursos como micro-representaciones ideológicas y relaciones de poder; los usos y sus condiciones de domesticación productiva, económica y técnica; el rol de los contextos, actores, propósitos y resultados; y una política de digitalización en los procesos de empoderamiento e inclusión). Por otro lado, se realiza un balance bibliográfico de los estudios sobre las nuevas TIC en los Andes peruanos (desde la expresión identitaria, el desarrollo productivo y la educación formal en el mundo andino).
Subalternidad y prácticas feministas en América Latina: 47ª Sesión de la Comisión sobre Población y Desarrollo
Authors: Escribá Maroto Almudena
Published: July 2016

En esta investigación, el uso de los conceptos y reflexiones derivados de los estudios subalternos y decoloniales son aplicados al feminismo latinoamericano actual con el objetivo de estudiar la relación intrínseca que se produce entre clase, género y etnia. Este artículo se propone reflexionar a través de la genealogía del concepto de subalternidad propuesto por Antonio Gramsci y trabajado más tarde por Gayatri Spivak desde una perspectiva postcolonial y feminista. De esta manera, se realiza un seguimiento del papel de las mujeres en la teorización sobre las culturas populares llegando a los grupos de estudios subalternos de Latinoamérica y los planteamientos de Mary Nash. Para este análisis se dará cuenta de la 47ª Sesión de la Comisión sobre Población y Desarrollo de Naciones Unidas sucedida en abril de 2014 en Nueva York en dónde representantes de Organizaciones Feministas de Latinoamérica y el Caribe efectuaron seguimiento a las delegaciones de los estados miembros, con el fin de evaluar la implementación del Programa de Acción de la Conferencia Internacional de Población y Desarrollo (El Cairo, 1994), veinte años más tarde.
Fully Capitated Payment Breakeven Rate for a Mid-Size Pediatric Practice
Authors: Farmer Steven A. , Shalowitz Joel , George Meaghan , McStay Frank , Patel Kavita , Perrin James , Moghtaderi Ali , McClellan Mark
Published: July 2016

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Payers are implementing alternative payment models that attempt to align payment with high-value care. This study calculates the breakeven capitated payment rate for a midsize pediatric practice and explores how several different staffing scenarios affect the rate.

METHODS:

We supplemented a literature review and data from >200 practices with interviews of practice administrators, physicians, and payers to construct an income statement for a hypothetical, independent, midsize pediatric practice in fee-for-service. The practice was transitioned to full capitation to calculate the breakeven capitated rate, holding all practice parameters constant. Panel size, overhead, physician salary, and staffing ratios were varied to assess their impact on the breakeven per-member per-month (PMPM) rate. Finally, payment rates from an existing health plan were applied to the practice.

RESULTS:

The calculated breakeven PMPM was $24.10. When an economic simulation allowed core practice parameters to vary across a broad range, 80% of practices broke even with a PMPM of $35.00. The breakeven PMPM increased by 12% ($3.00) when the staffing ratio increased by 25% and increased by 23% ($5.50) when the staffing ratio increased by 38%. The practice was viable, even with primary care medical home staffing ratios, when rates from a real-world payer were applied.

CONCLUSIONS:

Practices are more likely to succeed in capitated models if pediatricians understand how these models alter practice finances. Staffing changes that are common in patient-centered medical home models increased the breakeven capitated rate. The degree to which team-based care will increase panel size and offset increased cost is unknown.
« L’infinité en petitesse » Pascal et Dostoïevski
Authors: Kovács Árpád
Published: July 2016

Dostoevsky was familiar with the oeuvre of Blaise Pascal. It is provable that he read the book Pensées. One of the central concepts of this book (“les extrémités se touchent”) is cited in the novel The Idiot. In my essay, I make an attempt to reconstruct the original context of the citation. I sketch two possible interpretative practices of the cited anthropological concept: the cognitive and the heuristic one (“le coeur a son ordre, l’esprit a le sien”). There is a special type of text which corresponds to each of them. In The Idiot, the cognitive strategy is risen up to an ideological level by the statements of the main character, meanwhile the heuristic text production is realized by the narrative metaphors of the confession discourse. In my essay, I put a special emphasis on the problem of fragment and its functioning in the structure of prose language.
«Ода благодарности» А. П. Сумарокова: поэтическое новаторство в масонском тексте XVIII в.
Authors: Гуськов Н. А.
Published: July 2016

The present paper analyzes the poem Ode to Gratitude by the famous Russian 18th-century poet A. P. Sumarokov, not yet studied by literary scholars. The analysis shows that Sumarokov, as the founder of Russian classicism, mixed elements of various genres and specific to different literary traditions in some of his poems, thus he can be called a forerunner to 19th-century lyrics. Sumarokov’s stylistic innovations were facilitated by the necessity to encrypt Freemasonic ideas in a spiritual ode.
Контрдискурс по-русски, или sottisier à la russe: повесть Н. С. Лескова «Полунощники»
Authors: Найденова Н. С.
Published: July 2016

In this article, the author attempts to apply the concept of counter-discourse developed by R. Terdiman on the basis of research of the French literature of the 19th century to studying the language game in Полунощники [At Midnight] by N. Leskov. The discourse analysis of the novel reveals that the author’s counter-discourse is built on the “sottisier” collected by the writer throughout his life, where commonplace utterances subjected to “re/citation” acquire a whole new meaning.
Персонажи Библии в словацких сравнениях (на фоне других языков)
Authors: Кузнецова И. В.
Published: July 2016

This paper deals with the presentation of Slovak biblical similes in dictionaries and their usage by native speakers. Some of the examples are complemented with etymological commentaries.
Finite element modelling of the construction of a full-scale expexperimental soil-nailed wall. French National Research Project CLOUTERRE
Authors: Unterreiner P. , Benhamida B. , Schlosser F.
Published: July 2016

Finite element analysis of the construction of a full-scale experimental soil-nailed wall is performed. The method to determine the mechanical parameters of the components of the nailed wall and their interactions is presented. The simulation of the first five phases of the wall construction gives results which agree very well with field observations and measurements. A detailed study of the earth pressures acting on the facing is then performed.
Varying temperature and creep of silicate grouted sand
Authors: Mollamahmutoglu M. , Littlejohn S.
Published: July 2016

This paper illustrates the impact of temperature variation on the creep behaviour of sodium silicate–600B ester permeated Leighton Buzzard sand, where the temperature of triaxial cell water in which the grouted sand samples is installed is raised and lowered between 20·C and 30·C at different time intervals during the constant loading tests. It has been found that creep strain is temperature sensitive at nominal silicate concentrations of 40% to 60% by volume and both the magnitude of creep strain and its rate increase with increase in temperature and vice versa. Also described is the temperature controlled apparatus developed for creep testing of grouted soils, where the temperature can be maintained at the specified temperature within ±1·C.
Ground improvement by means of jet-grouting
Authors: Lunardi P.
Published: July 2016

After a description of jet-grouting technology some typical examples are given of its applications to a number of civil engineering problems. The following aspects are examined: suitability for different types of ground; design criteria; monitoring during construction; recent technological developments; jet-grouting techniques in civil and environmental engineering works; some case histories.
Vibroflotation in reclamations in Hong Kong
Authors: Debats J.-M. , Sims M.
Published: July 2016

The widespread use of hydraulic sandfill for land reclamation in Hong Kong has led to the need for economic densification of very large volumes of fill material. The technique, known as vibroflotation (or vibrocompaction), has been shown to be particularly well adapted to this task. The paper describes the technique and its application to local conditions. Methods of testing the degree of densification for the fill are discussed, and typical achievements are presented and analysed.
Soil improvement experiences in Belgium: part II. Vibrocompaction and stone columns
Authors: Van Impe W. F. , De Cock F. , Van Der Cruyssen J. P. , Maertens J.
Published: July 2016

This paper forms the second part in a series of three contributions on the soil improvement experience in Belgium. In the first part an overview of the soil improvement techniques most used in Belgium, including the heavy tamping methods, was given. This part continues with performance practice and design aspects of two more procedures (vibratory compaction and stone columns) which have reached a very high technological and engineering design level.
Effect of fly ash on the unconfined compressive strength of black cotton soil
Authors: Sridharan A. , Prashanth J. P. , Sivapullaiah P. V.
Published: July 2016

The strength of clayey soil can be altered by the addition of fly ash. Many factors of fly ash, such as reactivity, free lime content and silty nature, influence the strength of soil. This study examines the effect of varying fly ash content (at a constant percentage content of lime) and the effect of varying lime content (at a constant percentage content of fly ash) on the strength of black cotton soil. The study, conducted at constant percentage content of lime on the unconfined compressive strength of black cotton soil, with varying percentages of Neyveli fly ash and Vijayawada fly ash with and without curing, has shown that the effect of fly ash is mainly through pozzolanic reactivity and the silty character of fly ash. For Neyveli fly ash, having good reactivity, the pozzolanic reaction effect overrides the effect arising from its silty nature. For Vijayawada fly ash, having poor reactivity, the effect is similar to that of adding silt. It is noted that only reactive fly ash can increase the unconfined compressive strength of black cotton soil. From this study conducted with varying percentages of lime content it has been shown that at very low lime contents, sufficient strength can be achieved for a soil–reactive fly ash mixture; this cannot be attained for soils without fly ash.
Two-dimensional electro-osmotic consolidation
Authors: Shang J. Q.
Published: July 2016

An analytical model of two-dimensional electro-osmotic consolidation is presented. The negative excess pore pressure and degree of consolidation due to electroosmosis are investigated in comparison with preloading consolidation. The model is evaluated using the results of a well-known electro-osmotic consolidation field test reported in the literature, and is shown to be consistent with the results of the shear strength measurement.
Delay in compaction and importance of the lime fixation point on the strength and compaction characteristics of soil
Authors: Sivapullaiah P. V. , Prashanth J. P. , Sridharan A.
Published: July 2016

The importance of the lime fixation point on the strength of fine-grained soil hardly needs to be stressed. The improvement in strength of soils with lime contents below and above the lime fixation point occurs by different mechanisms. Further, the strength is also influenced by moulding water content and dry density. The time lag between wet mixing and compaction plays a major role in the application of lime to fine-grained soils. This paper highlights the importance of the lime fixation point on the compaction characteristics of expansive Indian black cotton soil. The effect of delay below, at and above the lime fixation point on the compaction and the strength characteristics is presented. Below the lime fixation point, lime addition steeply decreases the maximum dry density and marginally improves the strength. Here the strength is significantly influenced by the moulding water content. Delay between wet mixing and compaction is less critical below the lime fixation point. For soil with a lime content above the lime fixation point there is no further change in the compaction curve. The strength improves considerably above the lime fixation point and is not controlled by moulding water content. Further delay in compaction for the soil above the fixation point steeply reduces the maximum dry density and strength. At about the lime fixation point the effect is in between the two extremes.
Evaluation of the consolidation progress of a slurry by the SASW method
Authors: Haegeman W. , Van Impe W. F.
Published: July 2016

For several years a vacuum consolidation was applied on a disposal of dredged sludge in order to speed up the consolidation. The disposal with an initial thickness of about 8 m was covered with a sand layer of 0·5 m and topped with an high-density polyethylene (HDPE) cover. Since initially it was not allowed to cut open the HDPE for environmental reasons, it was decided to use the nondestructive spectral analysis of surface waves (SASW) method to evaluate of the degree and homogeneity of the consolidation. After a short description of the SASW field procedure and data processing, this paper presents the results of the evaluation of the stiffness of the sludge by the SASW method, which were later compared with laboratory test results. This SASW campaign showed that the consolidation was quite homogeneous in the disposal, although still a very low stiffness was measured. The SASW method was fast, cost-effective and well suited to the in situ evaluation of the vacuum consolidation technique.