bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eliciting teachers’ understanding and their reported practices on school-based formative assessment: Methodological challenges
Authors: Hasim Zuwati , Di Shi , Barnard Roger
Published: June 2018

Ministries of Education in many countries have adopted various forms of school-based assessment (SBA) to replace (for example, New Zealand) or complement (for example, England, Australia and Malaysia) more conventional forms of assessment such as tests and examinations. Central to these alternative approaches to SBA is formative assessment. In recent years, a body of research has been built investigating various aspects of SBA in Malaysia, but there has been a dearth of studies exploring what practising teachers believe and do regarding implementing formative assessment in their own classrooms. The present article reports some of the findings of a case study in which ten Malaysian primary school teachers of English were interviewed to identify the extent of their understanding of formative assessment and their reported practices of providing feedback in an SBA environment. Initially, the teachers revealed a general lack of understanding of the difference between formative and summative assessment. In such a situation, it would seem that the teachers are unready to implement SBA at the present stage, despite it having been mandated in Malaysian schools since 2011-12. However, later in the interview, they reported implementing various forms of feedback, some of which might be regarded as formative. There is a need, therefore, to differentiate between teachers’ explicit knowledge and their implicit understanding of matters such as formative feedback. The inherent limitations of self-report data emerging from interviews will be discussed and how these might be overcome.
Washback of English national exams at ninth-grade level in Thailand and Indonesia
Authors: Sundayana Wachyu , Meekaeo Panusak , Purnawarman Pupung , Sukyadi Didi
Published: June 2018

Washback refers to influences of testing on teaching and learning. In Thailand and Indonesia, washback of the Ordinary National Educational Test (O-NET) and Ujian Nasional (UN) inevitably occurs on teaching and learning in classrooms at every level. This present study aims to explore and compare the washback effects of the O-NET and UN on English language learning as perceived by Thai and Indonesian ninth-grade students. It is a multi-case study (Thailand case and Indonesia case) by using triangulation design as the research design. The questionnaires concerning washback effects of national exams on English language learning were distributed to 200 ninth-graders in the two cases. In addition, six students from each case were interviewed. The results reveal that in both cases, the participants focus to learn on contents and skills that were likely to appear in the national exams. The participants learned English harder to perform well in the tests rather than to improve their English ability. Moreover, the students had high anxiety during the test preparations and feared for low O-NET and UN scores. The results of the study contribute to future washback study and improvement of English language teaching and learning at ninth-grade in Thailand and Indonesia.
Dead Grass: Foreclosure and the Production of Space in Maricopa County, Arizona
Authors: Cutts Bethany B. , Minn Michael
Published: June 2018

A wide variety of economic, social, political and moral explanations have been given for why the foreclosure crisis of the late 2000s occurred. Yet many of the tensions provoked by the uptick in foreclosure proceedings, their resolution during the foreclosure recovery process, and the insight they provide into the function of American space remain unexplored. This article uses Lefebvre’s The Production of Space as a framework to explore the spatial and ecological contradictions of suburban development in Maricopa County (Phoenix), Arizona, USA, and the ways those contradictions were drawn into relief by the foreclosure crisis of the late 2000s. Analysis through this Lefebvrian lens uncovers symbolic meanings assigned to urban ecologies and their ruliness as a means of drawing legal devices such as nuisance laws and housing codes into a more-than-human frenzy. This article follows a growing tradition of scholarship that employs Lefebvrian insights to identify and explicate urban planning dilemmas.
Critique, Creativity and the Co-Optation of the Urban: A Case of Blind Fields and Vague Spaces in Lefebvre, Copenhagen and Current Perceptions of the Urban
Authors: Larsen Jan Lilliendahl , Brandt Jens
Published: June 2018

Even though more than four decades have passed since the writing of The Production of Space, with walls, governance regimes and financial markets coming tumbling down, cities around the globe still find themselves in—and reproduce what Lefebvre would characterize as—abstract space, a space produced by economy and bureaucracy, and reproducing dominant regimes thereof beyond the grasp of users and inhabitants of cities. In this article, it is argued that an urban perception is cancelled out in the reductive struggle between two dominant perceptions of urban change. The article unfolds in three moments: firstly, an outline of Henri Lefebvre’s critique of ‘the urban’ and ‘the production of space’ is presented in order to clarify his critique of reductive perceptions and the significance of the urban in his work; secondly, a conceptualizing narrative anchoring Lefebvre’s concepts to recent developments in Copenhagen, not least developments related to the sub-cultures, is explored — showing how different agents pursue the realization of different perceptions of urban change; thirdly, it is concluded that this development needs to be conceptualized as a reduction of the urban into a residual as well as the unfolding of a dominant contradiction between ‘critique’ and ‘creativity’.
Henri Lefebvre, Planning’s Friend or Implacable Critic?
Authors: Leary-Owhin Michael E.
Published: June 2018

This is the first issue of an academic journal, of which I am aware, to focus on Henri Lefebvre and urban planning. Urban spatial planning evolved as a concept to integrate the complex social, economic, environmental, political and land use conundrums of late 20th century society. Similarly, the spatial ideas of Henri Lefebvre encompass these issues but stress the importance of everyday life, production, culture and history. This thematic issue of Urban Planning is predicated principally on three of Lefebvre’s major works: The Production of Space (Lefebvre, 1974/1991), Critique of Everyday Life (Lefebvre, 1947/1991) and The Urban Revolution (Lefebvre, 1970/2003). Lefebvre’s ideas regarding the investigation of cities and urban society have been taken up most vigorously in the fields of geography, urban studies and latterly architecture. Despite this, it is clear that Lefebvre’s five central concepts—the production of space, abstract space, everyday life, the right to the city and planetary urbanisation—provide powerful tools for the examination of urban planning, cities and urban society in the Global North and South. Anglophone urban planning first embraced Lefebvre’s ideas in the 1980s. Surprisingly then, it is only in the last ten years or so that urban planning academia and research has witnessed a blossoming of interest in Lefebvre’s ideas.
Toponímia religiosa em Minas Gerais: os nomes dos municípios / Minas Gerais Religious Toponymy: the Names of Municipalities
Authors: Carvalho Ana Paula Mendes Alves de
Published: June 2018

Resumo: Adotando os pressupostos teórico-metodológicos da Toponímia, este trabalho tem por objetivo apresentar um estudo toponímico dos 853 nomes de municípios de Minas Gerais, dos quais, sincronicamente, 103 – ou 12% do total – são nomes relativos à Nossa Senhora e aos santos e santas da Igreja Católica. Diacronicamente, entretanto, outros 329 municípios – 38,6% – já tiveram, ao longo de sua história, designações toponímicas dessa mesma natureza; alguns deles com mais de uma denominação como é o caso do município de Água Boa cujos topônimos anteriores já foram São José da Água Boa e Santana da Água Boa. Verificou-se, então, que os motivos para escolha do nome de um munícipio – acidente urbano –, além de observar legislação específica, pauta-se pela subjetividade coletiva e, muitas vezes, também por interesses políticos. Assim, muitos topônimos referentes aos municípios mineiros foram substituídos com o passar do tempo, sobretudo no que concerne aos mariotopônimos. Esses topônimos, no entanto, pelas reduções referentes aos títulos que acompanham a expressão Nossa Senhora, deixaram vestígios de sua origem religiosa em todo o território mineiro, o que pode ser observado pela quantidade considerável de denominações toponímicas atuais constituídas a partir dos determinantes Carmo, Conceição e Dores, por exemplo.Palavras-chave: léxico; cultura; toponímia religiosa; Minas Gerais; municípios.Abstract: Based on Toponymy theoretical and methodological assumptions, this paper aims to present a toponymic study of the 853 names of Minas Gerais municipalities, of which, synchronously, 103 - or 12% of the total - are names related to the Holy Mother (Virgin Mary) and the female and male saints of the Catholic Church. Diachronically, however, another 329 municipalities – 38,6% – have had toponymic names of this same nature throughout their history; some of them with more than one denomination as, for example, the municipality of Água Boa whose previous toponyms have been São José da Água Boa (Saint Joseph of Água Boa) and Santana da Água Boa (Saint Anne of Água Boa). It was verified, then, that the reasons for choosing the name of a municipality – an urban accident –, besides observation of specific legislations, are guided by collective subjectivity and, many times, also by political interests. Thus, many toponyms referring to the Minas Gerais municipalities have been replaced with time, especially in what mariotopônimos (names based on the names for the Virgin Mary) are concerned. These toponyms, however, due to the reductions referring to the titles that accompany the expression Holy Mother / Our Lady, left traces of their religious origin throughout all of the territory of Minas Gerais; this can be observed by the considerable amount of current toponymic denominations constituted from the determinants Carmo (Carmel), Conceição (Conception) and Dores (Sorrows), for example.Keywords: lexicon; culture; religious toponymy; Minas Gerais; municipalities.
Futebol, política e identidade no Brasil
Authors: Vejmelka Marcel
Published: June 2018

Devido à sua extraordinária importância cultural e social, o futebol no Brasil é um elemento decisivo para a esfera política que tenta aproveitar o esporte para os seus fins. Ao mesmo tempo, no nível da micropolítica, é a dimensão que articula grande parte das dinâmicas sociais e culturais, da identificação individual e coletiva com um time ou clube até às mais variadas formas de comunicação e codificação midiática. Dentro dessa polaridade, o futebol vem sendo um dos veículos privilegiados e um dos campos mais cobiçados para a concepção e concretização de identidades clubísticas, locais e regionais, culminando nas propostas identitárias nacionais do “país do futebol” e do “melhor futebol do mundo”. Essa dinâmica acompanha, articula, visualiza e até origina as rupturas que vem marcando o Brasil enquanto nação na sua história recente.
Research on the Application of Cloud Computing in Medical Field
Authors: Changming Chen
Published: June 2018

Cloud computing is a new Internet application model. The ultimate goal is to provide computing, services andapplications as a public facilities to the public, so that people can easily use the computer resources, while cloudcomputing as a new IT implementation of the way, is a profound impact on the development and transformation of IT.Cloud computing can provide enterprises with enterprise management key software, eff ectively reduce IT hardware andsoftware costs and maintenance costs, to adapt to the needs of enterprises in diff erent stages of development. But alsoto help small and medium enterprises to make it less IT investment, access to more professional, more comprehensiveIT solutions. With the rapid development of information industry, all walks of life have to speed up the information,the pace of digital, regional medical and health industry is no exception. China has long been concerned about themedical and health industry information construction, the new medical reform program is the release of the domesticregional medical information construction to a climax. Cloud computing as a cutting-edge technology of today's globalIT, its technology and philosophy to change the traditional computing resources application model, is to bring greatchanges in enterprise IT applications, it is particularly important in the role of regional medical information, with avery large Signifi cance. In this paper, the application of cloud computing in medical fi eld has been studied, and thedevelopment situation of cloud computing in medical fi eld at home and abroad is analyzed in detail. The new situationand the new situation of regional medical and health cloud will be put forward and forecast the development of cloudcomputing in medical fi eld prospect. In addition, we summarize the advantages of cloud computing to regional healthsystems, identify problems that exist in the development, present the risks and challenges it may bring, and put forwardcountermeasures against these problems and risks.
Qualitative and Quantitative Risk Assessment Method for Fire Safety Accident in Liquefied Natural Gas Storage
Authors: Jiye Cao
Published: June 2018

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) has the characteristics of low temperature, volatile, flammable and explosive, and its safety issues are being highlighted. The probability and consequences of accident were quantitatively analyzed in combination with the possibility of LNG filling station pump or pipeline spillage. The DEGADIS and LNGFire3 models were used to determine the consequences of the accident. Based on the injury criterion data provided by relevant literature, the article concludes that the personal risk value derived from personal injury level and mortality rate, when compared with personal risk standards of United Kingdom, Netherlands and other countries and institutions, the personal risk value is much lower than the standard limit value, and shows the rationality of establishing 5kW/m2 as the safety distance from critical thermal radiation intensity.
Investigative safety strategies to improve success in drug development
Authors: Atienzar Franck , Delaunois Annie , Brouta Frédéric , Cornet Miranda , Fleurance Renaud , Gerets Helga , Glineur Stéphanie , Hasselgren Catrin , Kiessling Andrea , Da Costa Andre Nogueira , Rosseels Marie-Luce , Tilmant Karen , Valentin Jean-Pierre
Published: June 2018

Understanding and reducing attrition rate remains a key challenge in drug development. Preclinical and clinical safety issues still represent about 40% of drug discontinuation, of which cardiac and liver toxicities are the leading reasons. Reducing attrition rate can be achieved by various means, starting with a comprehensive evaluation of the potential safety issues associated to the primary target followed by an evaluation of undesirable secondary targets. To address these risks, a risk mitigation plan should be built at very early development stages, using a panel of in silico, in vitro, and in vivo models. While most pharmaceutical companies have developed robust safety strategies to de-risk genotoxicity and cardiotoxicity issues, partly driven by regulatory requirements; safety issues affecting other organs or systems, such as the central nervous system, liver, kidney, or gastro-intestinal system are less commonly addressed during early drug development. This paper proposes some de-risking strategies that can be applied to these target organ systems, including the use of novel biomarkers that can be easily integrated in both preclinical and clinical studies. Experiments to understand the mechanisms’ underlying toxicity are also important. Two examples are provided to demonstrate how such mechanistic studies can impact drug development. Novel trends in investigative safety are reviewed, such as computational modeling, mitochondrial toxicity assessment, and imaging technologies. Ultimately, understanding the predictive value of non-clinical safety testing and its translatability to humans will enable to optimize assays in order to address the key objectives of the drug discovery process, i.e., hazard identification, risk assessment, and mitigation.
The Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs: 15 years of emphasizing research safety, ethics, and quality
Authors: Summers Elyse I.
Published: June 2018

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the founding of the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP), an organization that has been instrumental in strengthening protections for research participants. AAHRPP was established by seven Founding Members in response to a series of high-profile incidents that shook the foundation of the U.S. research enterprise. The Founding Members viewed voluntary accreditation as one way to strengthen research protections and restore and preserve public trust. Today, AAHRPP accreditation is widely regarded as the gold standard for research protections. To attain accreditation, organizations must demonstrate that they adhere to rigorous standards covering three domains: The Organization, The Institutional Review Board or Ethics Committee, and Researcher and Research Staff. The emphasis is on system-wide policies and procedures that strengthen an organization’s commitment to participants and help ensure a more consistent, more effective approach to protecting them. Because AARHPP accreditation is considered an objective indicator of quality, the benefits to accredited organizations can be considerable. Their accreditation status sends a signal — to potential research partners, to sponsors and other funders, and to research participants — that the organization has the systems in place to conduct research in a scientifically and ethically sound manner.
Japanese Initiative for Education in Pharmaceutical Medicine and Clinical Research Training
Authors: Kishi Akiko , Uchida Ichiro , Koide Daisuke , Imamura Kyoko
Published: June 2018

Development of new medicines has become increasingly difficult with less possibility of success in seeds-finding and ever rising operational costs. Failure to comply with ethical standards for human research protection also erodes social trust in clinical development. In order to develop competence of professionals in medicines development such as clinical investigators and drug development scientists, a variety of educational courses and training programs have been developed and executed worldwide. As Japan is no exception and shares the same concerns, significant governmental and non-governmental efforts have been made to invest in the development of academic educational courses and adherence to international standards. This article introduces examples of the adoption of technologies to realize a user-friendly and sustainable learning management as well as an adaptation of syllabuses and core curricula to meet international standards in the era of global medicines development.
Research on Secure Communication Based on QQ Chat Platform
Authors: Cao Yi
Published: June 2018

QQ is China's most widely used instant messaging tool, its security for user security and network security has animportant impact. Once a QQ account is hacked, the harm and the impact is terrible, the user loses a lot of friend’sinformation and contact information in a short time and is diffi cult to completely recover. This article will analyzethe security of QQ’s landing agreement, analyze its security, and point out the security vulnerabilities which exist,and explain the possible attacks that QQ may suff er, and make suggestions for improvement and ways to enhance thesecurity of QQ communication. In addition, this article also conducts a corresponding study of QQ hacking, and putsforward precautionary approaches.
Advanced composite materials manufacturing technology
Authors: Zhijin Tang
Published: June 2018

In recent years, a variety of composite materials preparation technology has been updated, from ceramic matrixcomposites, metal matrix composites to polymer matrix composites, a variety of preparation techniques have beengreatly improved, making the composite properties and applications signifi cantly improved. This paper reviews severalimportant preparation methods and applications of ceramic matrix composites, metal matrix composites and polymermatrix composites.
Carbon Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Resin Matrix Composites
Authors: Zhiyuan Yu
Published: June 2018

Carbon fi ber reinforced polymer matrix composites have been the focus of research. As the most widely used epoxyresin in all matrix materials, it is also the most studied. In this paper, the modification of TDE-85 epoxy resin, thecuring properties of curing agent and the preparation method of prepreg were reviewed. The progress and applicationof carbon fi ber reinforced epoxy resin composites at home and abroad were reviewed, made carbon fi ber / epoxy resincomposite materials in the automotive fuel cell application prospects.
Polyethylene plastic production process
Authors: Xiuhua Zhong
Published: June 2018

Polyethylene has become the most important polyolefi n plastic with excellent mechanical properties, processingproperties and chemical resistance. It is used in the production of film, packaging and pipe. However, the nonpolarproperty and low rigidity of polyethylene limits its application in certain fi elds. The new progress of chemicalmodifi cation, physical modifi cation and modifi cation of polyethylene were reviewed. Chemical modifi cation includesgraft modification, copolymerization modification, crosslinking modification, chlorination, chlorosulfonationmodification and plasma modification. There are different methods of polyethylene production which include highpressure polyethylene, medium pressure polyethylene and low pressure polyethylene. All three methods have their ownbenefi ts and shortcomings which coexist in the industry.
Study on flame retardant ABS
Authors: Xiaonan Lin
Published: June 2018

Flame-retardant ABS resin was prepared by adding fl ame retardant, toughening agent and dispersing silicone oilwith acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin (ABS, grade 0215 A) as raw material. The results showed that in the ABSresin, fl ame retardant with tetrabromobisphenol A and antimony trioxide as the composite system (the mass ratio of2:1) was added. When the bromine content of the system was more than 10%, the flame retardant ABS meets therequirements of UL 94 V-0. The best toughening agent for flame retardant ABS resin is ABS graft powder. Whenthe amount of fl ame retardant ABS is 9% ~ 19% (mass fraction) Strength of 150-200 J / m; in the same formula andoperating conditions, brominated alkylene oxide as fl ame retardant prepared fl ame retardant ABS resin, the weatherresistance is better than tetrabromobisphenol A as fl ame retardant The Composite expansion fl ame retardant and coatedred phosphorus is an eff ective halogen-free fl ame retardant.
Enhancement of Durability Properties and Drying Shrinkage of Heat-treated Oil Palm Shell Species High-strength Lightweight Concrete
Authors: Yew Mingkun , Yew Mingchian , Saw Lip Huat , Lim Siongkang , Beh Jing Hang , Ng Tanching
Published: June 2018

In this study, the effects of heat-treated and non-treated oil palm shell (OPS) species (dura and tenera) are investigated on the slump, density and compressive strength of oil palm shell concrete (OPSC). Two different species of OPS coarse aggregates are subjected to heat treatment at 65 and 130 °C with the duration of 1 h. The results show that the workability of the OPSC increases significantly with an increase in temperature of heat-treated of the tenera OPS aggregates. It is found that the maximum achievable 28-days and 180-days compressive strength is 51 and 54 MPa, respectively. Furthermore, rapid chloride penetration tests (RCPT), porosity measurement and water absorption tests were performance to signify the effects of heat treatment on different OPS species lightweight concrete (LWC). The use of heat-treated OPS LWC induced the advantageous of reducing the permeability and capillary porosity as well as water absorption. The results showed that the ideal of heat treatment method has enhanced the performance of drying shrinkage. Hence, the findings of this study are of primary importance as they revealed that the heat treatment on OPS species LWC can be used as a new environmentally friendly method to enhance the durability properties and drying shrinkage of OPS LWC.
On the Reconstruction Capability of the Linear Sampling Method
Authors: Ghaderi Aram Morteza
Published: June 2018

Linear Sampling Method (LSM), although a simple and fast qualitative method, encounters some limitations and restrictions when it comes to measurement set-up and realistic implementation. Addressing some difficulties arising from somewhat complicated measurement structures used to gather raw data for the reconstruction algorithm, this communication tries to show the effect of mutual coupling between antennas utilized in the measurement chamber. Another tangible effect of the antenna arrangement, covered here through reconstructing a reference scenario of Fresnel Institute dataset, has to do with the aspect-limited nature of scan lines. Reconstructions based on both simulated and measured data are reported.
Forecasting Farm-gate Catfish Prices in Uganda Using Sarima Model
Authors: Bukenya James Obadiah
Published: June 2018

Stabilization of prices of essential agricultural commodities continues to remain an area of major concern for policy makers; given that price instability affects both producers and consumers, and has macroeconomic implications. This paper examines farm-gate price behavior in the African catfish markets in Uganda, and develops a forecasting model that adjusts for the seasonal fluctuations in the price series. The analysis utilizes monthly catfish real price series for the period January 2006 to December 2013. The model provides good in-sample and out-of-sample forecasts for the eight-year time period. The out-sample predictions based on SARIMA (1, 1, 1) (0, 1, 1)12 model suggest that the stochastic seasonal fluctuations depicted in the price series are successfully modeled, and that catfish real prices follow an upward trend. The findings can assist policy makers and major stakeholders to gain insight into more appropriate economic and sectorial policies that can lead to the development of reliable market information systems and up-to-date data on catfish supply, demand and stocks.
Portfolio Optimization with Metaheuristics
Authors: Mamanis Georgios
Published: June 2018

Portfolio optimization is the problem ofsearching foran optimal allocation of wealth to put in the available assets. Since the seminalworkdoneby Markowitz, the problem is codifiedas a two-objective mean-risk optimization problem where the best trade-off solutions (portfolios) between risk (measured by variance) and mean are hunted. Complex measures of risk (e.g., value-at-risk, expected shortfall, semivariance), addedobjective functions (e.g., maximization of skewness, liquidity, dividends) and pragmatic, real-worldconstraints (e.g., cardinality constraints, quantity constraints, minimum transaction lots, class constraints) that are included in recent portfolio selection models, provide many optimization challenges. The resulting portfolio optimizationproblem becomes very hard to be tackledwith exact techniquesas it displaysnonlinearities, discontinuities and high dimensional efficient frontiers. These characteristics prompteda lot ofresearchers to explorethe use of metaheuristics, which are powerful techniquesfor discoveringnear optimal solutions (sometimes the real optimum) for hard optimization problems in acceptable computationaltime. This report provides a briefnoteon the field of portfolio optimization with metaheuristics and concludes that especially Multiobjectivemetaheuristics (MOMHs) provide a natural background for dealing with portfolio selection problems with complex measures of risk (which define non-convex, non-differential objective functions), discrete constraints and multiple objectives.
Two decision makers’ single decision over a back order EOQ model with dense fuzzy demand rate
Authors: Maity Suman , De Sujit Kumar , Pal Madhumangal
Published: June 2018

In this article we develop an economic order quantity (EOQ) model with backlogging where the decision is made jointly from two decision maker supposed to view one of them as the industrialist (developer) and the other one as the responsible manager. The problem is handled under dense fuzzy environment. In fuzzy set theory the concept of dense fuzzy set is quite new which is depending upon the number of negotiations/ turnover made by industrial developers with the supplier of raw materials and/or the customers.  Moreover, we have discussed the preliminary concept on dense fuzzy sets with their corresponding membership functions and appropriate defuzzification method. The numerical study explores that the solution under joint decision maker giving the finer optimum of the objective function. A sensitive analysis, graphical illustration and conclusion are made for justification the new approach.
Qualitative Study on Postoperative Self - identity in Patients with Temporary Ileostomy
Authors: Fan Lili
Published: June 2018

The purpose is to understand the postoperative self-identity of patients with temporary ileostomy and to provide a clinical basis for the development of psychological interventions by stoma therapists. Method:Selecting 10 patients intentionally who underwent temporary ileostomy for 1 month and testing via one-on-one in-depth interviews and analyze data with Claizzi analysis program. Results:One month after surgery, patients' self-identity can be summarized into three topics:(1) inferiority complex and disgust mood; (2) adaptation and coping; (3) social value experience change.  conclusion:Temporary ileostomy Patients’ psychological experience within 1 month after the surgery is complicated. In this study, the purpose is to dig out the true experience of such patients in the heart by analyzing 10 cases of patients with temporary ileum after 1 month in-depth interviews, so that we can aware of these patients in self-identity on the existence of the three main problems. Remind the stoma therapists pay attention to the After surgery early social psychological adaptation; strengthen information delivery and emotional support; helping rebuild self-identity, for the realization of self-care return to normal social life is of great significance and provide a reference for clinical pathological nursing patients after ostomy.
Strategic Corporate Alignment: A Methodological Approach
Authors: Campos Silvia Regina , Menezes Adriana Gomes de
Published: June 2018

This paper aims to present a methodological approach to align the strategic plans among Institutions in the area of Higher Education. It adopts an eight-phase research framework. It is a qualitative study which adopts a deductive and exploratory research strategy through the analysis of some institution's strategic plans and other relevant documents to propose a methodological approach for the alignment. Its contribution shall enable HEIs to improve synergy which is essential for achieving efficiency, efficacy and long-term sustainability in the light of the recent challenges facing their environment, considering that the strategy execution and its implementation has been considered much more difficult and complicated to overcome. Particular it shall contribute to alignment among other HEIs which have been subject to mergers and acquisitions processes, in the recent years.
Influence of MeteOcean processes on MSYM sea level predictions in the Malacca Straits
Authors: Bartolomeu Sofia , Malhadas Madalena S. , Ribeiro João , Leitão Paulo C. , Dias João M.
Published: June 2018

The South China Sea region, and particularly the Malacca and Singapore Straits, are known by the complex tidal dynamics, which is influenced by the tidal propagation from Pacific and Indian Oceans. In spite of the dynamic complexity, the region is very relevant economically, especially concerning the growing oil drilling activities. To give support to accidental oil spill prevention and response, an operational oil spill forecast system was developed for the Strait of Malacca. The hydrodynamic system validation revealed good results, in general. However, besides all the modeling efforts, some discrepancies between observed and predicted sea levels were identified, mainly during neap tide and for specific tide-gauges. Therefore, the main aim of this study consists in researching the origin of these discrepancies by comparing predictions with available data and exploring their relation with the MeteOcean processes of the region. Initially sea level data for eight tide gauges was explored to get a general overview of the local tidal dynamics, and then the model performance for astronomic tide was assessed. Analysis of meteorological tides was also performed for three tide-gauges located in the Singapore and Malacca Strait, which are under the influence of the northeast or southwest monsoons. The results show that the differences between the observed and predicted sea levels in Singapore Strait are usually due to discrepancies in the meteorological tide induced by the surface wind stress acting over the Taiwan-Singapore axis, while in the Malacca Strait are mainly related with model limitations in reproducing the astronomical tide.
Análise do equilíbrio corporal estático através de um baropodômetro eletrônico
Authors: Bankoff Antonia Dalla Pria , Bekedorf Rafael Gurtler , Schmidt Ademir , Ciol Paula , Zamai Carlos Aparecido
Published: June 2018

Um comportamento cotidiano como a manutenção da posição ereta é uma tarefa complexa que envolve um relacionamento preciso entre informação sensorial e atividade motora (BARELA, 2000). O mapeamento do equilíbrio em diferentes posições da base de estabilidade pode ser útil para avaliar a performance do sistema de controle postural em controlar o equilíbrio em situações extremas em que o corpo humano possa cair (DUARTE, 2000). O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o equilíbrio corporal estático através da utilização da avaliação baropodometria. Participaram deste estudo 30 sujeitos, sendo 18 do sexo masculino com média de idade 38,7 anos, com estatura corporal de 1,73, massa corporal 76,41 e IMC 25,42; 12 do sexo feminino, com média de idade 43,8 anos, com estatura corporal de 1,55, massa corporal de 65,1 e IMC 27,09. Os sujeitos participaram da pesquisa voluntariamente os quais informaram a idade e tamanho do calçado, bem como preencheram o termo de consentimento formal. Os dados para a análise neste estudo são as oscilações ântero-posteriores (eixo y), laterais (eixo x) e a oscilação do centro de pressão em superfície (cm²) foi aferida através de um Baropodômetro Eletrônico da Physical Support Italy, sendo que os dados foram coletados com os sujeitos de olhos abertos e depois de olhos fechados, tanto bipodálica quanto monopodálica.
Tio2 Assisted Photodegradation for Low Substrate Concentrations and Transition Metal Electron Scavengers
Authors: Alsaud Hassan , Abibat Ahmed , Painter Roger , Sharpe Lonnie , Hargrove S.K.
Published: June 2018

Some contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) are known to survive conventional wastewater treatment plants, which introduce them back to the environment and can potentially cycle up in drinking water supplies. This is especially concerning because of the inherent ability of some CECs to induce physiological effects in humans at very low doses. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) such as TiO2 based photocatalysis are of prominent interest for addressing CECs in aqueous environments. Natural water resources often contain dissolved metal cations concentrations in excess of targeted CEC concentrations. These cations may significantly, adversely impact degradation of CECs by scavenging TiO2 surface generated electrons. Consequently, simple pseudo first order or Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetics are not sufficient for reactor design and process analysis in some scenarios. Rhodamine B dye and dissolved copper cations were studied as reaction surrogates to demonstrate that TiO2 catalyzed degradation for very dilute solutions is very nearly completely due to homogeneous reaction with hydroxyl radicals and that in this scenario the hole trapping pathway has negligible impact. Chemical reaction kinetic studies were then carried out to develop a robust model for RB/metal reactions that is exact in the electron pathways for hydroxyl radical production and metal scavenging.
Sumudu Transform of Dixon Elliptic Functions With Non-Zero Modulus as Quasi C Fractions and Its Hankel Determinants
Authors: Kilicman Adem , Silambarasan Rathinavel
Published: June 2018

Sumudu transform of the Dixon elliptic function with non zero modulus a ≠ 0 for arbitrary powers smN(x,a) ; N ≥ 1 ; smN(x,a)cm(x,a) ; N ≥ 0 and smN(x,a)cm2(x,a) ; N ≥ 0 is given by product of Quasi C fractions. Next by assuming denominators of Quasi C fraction to 1 and hence applying Heliermann correspondance relating formal power series (Maclaurin series of Dixon elliptic functions) and regular C fraction, Hankel determinants are calculated and showed by taking a = 0 gives the Hankel determinants of regular C fraction. The derived results were back tracked to the Laplace transform of sm(x,a) ; cm(x,a) and sm(x,a)cm(x,a).
Z Probe, an Efficient Tool for Characterizing Long Non-Coding RNA in FFPE Tissues
Authors: Tripathi Manish , Zacheaus Chidi , Doxtater Kyle , Keramatnia Fatemeh , Gao Lani , Jaggi Meena , Yallapu Murali , Chauhan Subhash
Published: June 2018

Formalin-Fixed Paraffin Embedded (FFPE) tissues are a valuable resource in studying different markers and mechanistic molecules (protein, DNA and RNA) in order to understand the etiology of different cancers as well as many other diseases. Degradation and modification of RNA is the major challenge in utilizing FFPE tissue samples in medical research. Recently, non-protein coding transcripts long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), have gained significant attention due to their important biological actions and potential involvement in cancer. There is no validated method except qRTPCR or RNAseq to evaluate and study lncRNA expression. We have standardized and are reporting a sensitive Z probe based in situ hybridization method to identify, localize and quantitate lncRNA in FFPE tissues. This assay is sensitive to single transcript and localizes lncRNA in individual cells within tumor. We have characterized a tumor suppressor lncRNA-NRON (non coding repressor of NFAT), which is scarcely expressed, a moderately expressed oncogeneic lncRNA UCA1 (urothelial cancer associated 1), and a highly studied and expressed lncRNA MALAT1 (metastasis associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript1) in different cancers. High MALAT1 staining was found in colorectal, breast and pancreatic cancer. MALAT1 expression increased with the progression of the stage in colorectal cancer and invasiveness in breast cancer.
Effect of Reflector Geometry in the Annual Received Radiation of Low Concentration Photovoltaic Systems
Authors: Torres João Paulo N. , Fernandes Carlos A. F. , Gomes João , Luc Bonfiglio , Giovinazzo Carine , Olsson Olle , Branco P. J. Costa
Published: June 2018

Solar concentrator photovoltaic collectors are able to deliver energy at higher temperatures for the same irradiances, since they are related to smaller areas for which heat losses occur. However, to ensure the system reliability, adequate collector geometry and appropriate choice of the materials used for all their components will be crucial. The present study focuses on the re-design of the C-PV collector reflector currently produced by the Swedish company Solarus AB, together with a comparative analysis based on the annual assessment of the solar irradiance in the collector. An open-source ray tracing code (Soltrace) is used to accomplish the modelling of optical systems in concentrating solar power applications. Symmetric parabolic reflector configurations are seen to improve the PV system performance when compared to the conventional structures currently used by Solarus. The parabolic geometries, using either symmetrically or asymmetrically placed receivers inside the collector, achieve both the performance and cost-effectiveness objectives: for almost the same area or costs, the new proposals for the PV system may be in some cases 70 % more effective as far as energy output is concerned.
Influence of the Structure Forming Agent on the Performance of Fe-N-C Catalysts
Authors: Schardt Sven , Weidler Natascha , Wallace W. David Z. , Martinaiou Ioanna , Stark Robert W. , Kramm Ulrike I.
Published: June 2018

In this work the influence of the structure forming agent on the composition, morphology and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity of Fe-N-C catalysts was investigated. As structure forming agent (SFA), dicyandiamide (DCDA) (nitrogen source) or oxalic acid (oxygen source) or mixtures thereof were used. For characterization, cyclic voltammetry and rotating disc electrode (RDE) experiments were performed in 0.1 M H2SO4. In addition to this, N2 sorption measurements and Raman spectroscopy were performed for the structural characterization. The role of metal, nitrogen and carbon sources within the synthesis of Fe-N-C catalysts has been pointed out before. Here, we show that the optimum in terms of ORR activity is achieved if both N- and O-containing SFAs are used in almost similar fractions. All catalysts display a redox couple, whereat its position depends on the fractions of SFAs. The SFA has also a strong impact on the morphology: Catalysts that were prepared with a larger fraction of N-containing SFA revealed a higher order in graphitization, indicated by bands in the 2nd order range of the Raman spectra. Nevertheless, the optimum in terms of ORR activity is obtained for the catalyst with highest D/G band ratio. Therefore, the results indicate that the presence of an additional oxygen-containing SFA is beneficial within the preparation.
Current Status of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptors Targeted Therapies in Breast Cancer
Authors: Sobhani Navid , Ianza Anna , D'Angelo Alberto , Roviello Giandomenico , Giudici Fabiola , Bortul Marina , Zanconati Fabrizio , Bottin Cristina , Generali Daniele
Published: June 2018

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy and second only to lung cancer in terms of mortality in women. Despite the incredible progress made in this field, the metastatic breast cancer leaves a poor prognosis. In an era of personalized medicine, there is an urgent need for a better knowledge of the biology leading to the disease, which can lead to the design of always more accurate drugs against patients’ specific molecular aberrations. Among one of the actionable targets is the Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor (FGFR) pathway, triggered by specific ligands. The FGFRs/FGFs axis offers interesting molecular targets to be pursued in clinical development. This mini-review will focus on the current knowledge of the FGFRs mutations leading to tumour formation and summarizes the state-of-the-art of therapeutic strategies for targeted treatments against the FGFRs/FGFs axis in the context of BC.
Large Deviations Properties of Maximum Entropy Markov Chains from Spike Trains
Authors: Cofré Rodrigo , Maldonado Cesar , Rosas Fernando
Published: June 2018

We consider the maximum entropy Markov chain inference approach to characterize the collective statistics of neuronal spike trains, focusing on the statistical properties of the inferred model. We review large deviations techniques useful in this context to describe properties of accuracy and convergence in terms of sampling size. We use these results to study the statistical fluctuation of correlations, distinguishability and irreversibility of maximum entropy Markov chains. We illustrate these applications using simple examples where the large deviation rate function is explicitly obtained for maximum entropy models of relevance in this field.
Closing the Wearable Gap: Mobile Systems for Kinematic Signal Monitoring of the Foot and Ankle
Authors: Luczak Tony , Saucier David , Burch Reuben F. , Ball John E. , Chander Harish , Knight Adam , Wei Pan , Iftekhar Tashfin
Published: June 2018

Interviews from strength and conditioning coaches across all levels of athletic competition identified their two biggest concerns with the current state of wearable technology: (a) the lack of solutions that accurately capture data "from the ground up" and (b) the lack of trust due to inconsistent measurements. The purpose of this research is to investigate the use of liquid metal sensors, specifically Liquid Wire sensors, as a potential solution for accurately capturing ankle complex movements such as plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, inversion, and eversion. Sensor stretch linearity was validated using a Micro-Ohm Meter and a Wheatstone bridge circuit. Sensors made from different substrates were also tested and discovered to be linear at multiple temperatures. An ankle complex model and computing unit for measuring resistance values were developed to determine sensor output based on simulated plantar flexion movement. The sensors were found to have a significant relationship between the positional change and the resistance values for plantar flexion movement. The results of the study ultimately confirm the researchers' hypothesis that liquid metal sensors, and Liquid Wire sensors specifically, can serve as a mitigating substitute for inertial measurement unit (IMU) based solutions that attempt to capture specific joint angles and movements.
Comprehensive Study of Soil-Plant and Surface Water Chemistry Relationships in Highly S Contaminated Environment on Reforested Former Sulfur Borehole Mine Sites
Authors: Pietrzykowski Marcin , Likus-Cieślik Justyna
Published: June 2018

Sulfur contamination of topsoil, spatial distribution of contamination and surface water chemistry were investigated on an area of over 200 ha of a new forest ecosystem. Common birch and Scots pine growth reaction, vitality and nutrients supply, as well as wood small-reed (Calamagrostis epigejos (L.) Roth) chemical composition were assayed. The chemistry dynamics of soil leaching and the sulfur load leached from the sulfur contaminated soil-substrates were analyzed. The remediation effect of the birch and pine litter was assayed in an experiment under controlled conditions. It was found that reclamation was effective in a majority of the post-mining site, however hot-spots with sulfur contamination reaching even 45,000 mg kg-1, pH <2.0, and EC 6,500 µS cm-1 were reported. Surface waters typically displayed elevated concentrations of sulfate ions (average 935.13 mg L-1), calcium ions (up to 434 mg L-1) and high EC (average 1.795 µS cm-1), which was connected both with sulfur contamination and sludge lime used in neutralization. Wood small-reed was found to be species adapting well to the conditions of elevated soil salinity and sulfur concentration. We noted that an addition of organic matter had a significant impact on the chemistry of soil solutions but did not indicate in short term experiment a remediation effect by increased sulfur leaching.
Resolving the Problem of Thin Films Crystallinity at Ambient Temperature by Oriented Magnetic Fields
Authors: Ručman Stefan S. , Singjai Pisith , Punyodom Winita , Jakmunee Jaroon
Published: June 2018

Grazing incidence X-Ray Diffraction spectroscopy was employed to characterize crystallinity of Iron, Nickel, Copper and Tungsten, prepared by sparking discharge process in presence of 0.4 T magnetic field at ambient temperature 25 °C. Iron thin film preserved crystallinity even after one year of ageing. Nickel exhibit higher crystallinity when sparked in nitrogen gas flow from the one sparked in oxygen. Tungsten was successfully crystalized after just 40 minutes of sparking inside of magnetic field.