bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A systematic review to investigate student performance and their learning experiences within integrated healthcare curricula
Authors: Nazar Hamde , Khan Ausaf , Nazar Zachariah , Husband Andy
Published: June 2019

Background
Integrated curricula is being adopted within healthcare programmes with a growing number of curriculum evaluations being undertaken and reported. A framework exists to guide educationalists in the planning, design and implementation of integrated curricula. It is unknown how widely utilised this framework has been to inform curricula development. This study presents a systematic appraisal of the evidence on how healthcare students experience and perform within integrated interventions and aims to assess how the context of the curriculum has influenced these outcomes.
Methods
Six electronic databases: Medline, Embase, Scopus, Psych-INFO, CINHAL and ProQuest were systematically searched in September 2018. Studies reporting on undergraduate healthcare students providing feedback, or performing at terminal assessment after experiencing integrated curricula were included. The assessments were categorised by the learning domain they aimed to test. Studies were assessed for methodological quality and risk of bias using a critical appraisal checklist. Studies were appraised against the implementation framework to facilitate contextual understanding of the intervention and findings.
Results
Forty studies from programmes in medicine, pharmacy and dentistry met the inclusion criteria and were included. Interdisciplinary level integration was most widely adopted, with a wide range of teaching and learning strategies employed in the delivery. Assessments testing higher learning domains, e.g. application and analysis of knowledge, were more commonly reported. Students appear to perform similarly or conservatively better after experiencing integrated education, however adopted study designs preclude the deduction of a direct causal relationship. Students report generally positive feedback on their integrated experiences, claiming the development of a wide range of skills. However, authors provide insufficient detail about the integrated educational developments to best inform future educationalists on the best systems for curriculum integration.
Conclusions
There is an impetus in research purporting best practices in curriculum integration, however, more standardised, evidence-informed design and reporting of interventions and outcomes are required to strengthen evidence in this area.
DEVELOPMENT OF A METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE OPTIMAL CONTROL TRAJECTORY FOR THE PERIODIC PROCESSES
Authors: Lutsenko Igor , Oksanych Аnatolii , Fomovskaya Olena , Oksanych Iryna , Mospan Denis , Serdiuk Olga
Published: June 2019

The development of new converting technologies and increasing the level of automation leads to an increase in the processing speed of available resources. This means that in case of inefficient or inefficient use of resources, the potential of economic advantage is lost, and the negative consequences of such losses can be identified too late.

In such conditions, the requirements for the selection of the criterion of optimization and the validity of the principles of optimal control increase. Moreover, the approach used may vary depending on the daily change in prices for energy products and fluctuations in the level of demand for manufactured products.

Despite the fact that such an approach seems obvious, today energy-intensive production suffers significant losses associated with the use of an inadequate model of technological operation, a subjective approach to the choice of optimization criterion and optimization method.

The task of developing a method for determining the optimal trajectory of managing energy-intensive industries with a changing level of demand for final products is posed. The solution to this problem consists of several stages. At the first stage, a model of a technological operation is being created, within the framework of which all significant factors affecting the decision result are taken into account. At the second stage, a global operation model is created, the input and output products of which are converted to comparable value values. At the third stage, the optimization criterion for the continuous operation of the system and the mode of incomplete use of its production capabilities is selected. At the final stage, the control path for intermittent and continuous modes of operation is determined.

Thus, the aim of research is development of a method for determining the optimal control trajectory in systems of energy-intensive systems, depending on the level of demand for the final product.
Examining factors influencing Indian customers’ intentions and adoption of internet banking: Extending TAM with electronic service quality
Authors: Kaur Amandeep , Malik Garima
Published: June 2019

This study conceptualizes and tests an integrative research model based on extended technology acceptance model (TAM) by integrating electronic service quality to strengthen the customer behavioral intention mediated through brand attitude in the context of e-banking in India. This study applies the cognitive, affective, and conative sequence to measure the antecedents and results of electronic service quality. The study has gathered a total of 455 usable responses by self-administered questionnaire through convenience sampling from young employed graduates aged between 16 and 29 years. Structural equation modelling techniques have been applied to the data and the results have provided that dimensions of electronic service quality model (customer service, web design, assurance, preferential treatment, information provision) relate to the electronic service quality. Electronic service quality and perceived usefulness significantly build customer attitude and intention to use internet banking services. However, against the TAM postulation, perceived ease of use does not influence customer’s intention to adopt internet banking service.
System Bioinformatic Approach Through Molecular Docking, Network Pharmacology and Microarray Data Analysis to Determine the Molecular Mechanism Underlying the Effects of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata on Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Zhang Xiang , Wang Dongdong , Ren Xiaodong , Atanasov Atanas G. , Zeng Rui , Huang Linfang
Published: June 2019

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Rehmanniae
Radix Praeparata (RRP) is a popular medicinal herb widely used in traditional Chinese medicine
(TCM) to treat CVDs. However, the development of this novel therapeutic product has been stagnant,
and its molecular mechanism of action remains unclear. This study aims to explore the effective ingredients
of RRP against CVDs, especially atherosclerosis (AS). Using the AutoDock Vina software, the
RRP’s ingredients were docked with the targets which can be collected by RCSB and UniProt. Then the
screened ingredients and targets could be used to dispose the pathways by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of
Genes and Genomes (KEGG). We used GEO, GCBI and DAVID databases to analyze the microarray
data of AS which could be used to verify the results of molecular docking, all of which could show the
molecular mechanism of RRP on CVDs. We also constructed a compound–target interaction network of
CVD with 85 nodes and 272 edges on the basis of molecular docking analysis through Cytoscape. The
network showed that forsythiaside, acteoside and stigmasterol are the most important compounds and
2HRR (ACAT (Acyl-CoA cholesterol acyl transferase) protein), 4ATB (MMP13) and 1JBQ (cystathionine
beta-synthase) are the most valuable targets in the action of RRP against CVD. We also examined
the biological functions involved in the biological process, molecular function and cellular components.
In accordance with the analysis of GSE6054 microarray data of AS disease, the 20 most specifically
expressed genes (differentially expressed genes [DEGs]) and the top 10 pathways of DEGs
were discovered. Five key pathways, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), pathways in
cancer and PI3K-Akt signalling pathway were also explored. Amongst these pathways, the top three
were the pathways in cancer, MAPK signalling pathway and human T-cell lymphotropic virus infection.
The pathways in cancer and PI3K-Akt signalling pathway were found simultaneously in the pathway
analysis for CVD on RRP and for AS on microarray data. This study provided a new potential herbal
medicine against CVD and has increased the understanding on the molecular mechanisms of RRPmediated
protection against CVD, especially AS.
Narration in Moroccan Talk Shows
Authors: Elharraki Badia
Published: June 2019

The main objective of this article is to analyze the narrative structure of the stories of women subjected to violence. Specifically, we will analyze the stories narrated by these women in a Moroccan TV talk show called “Qesset Ennass” (The story of people). The framework of Critical Discourse Analysis will be adopted in order to understand the elements of discourse being articulated in a Moroccan context. We have mapped the stories onto a six part structure of narrative, which has been an effective tool in locating the way in which the women establish cognitive scripts related to the necessity to take action to make sure that the nasty situations they live in would change. The six parts structure of narrative consists of the abstract, the orientation, the complication, the evaluation, the resolution and the coda. Our purpose within this framework is to scrutinize the structure of the Moroccan discourse about the violence committed against women so as to understand how narration plays a pivotal role in legitimizing/delegitimizing women’s discourse. Within this analysis, we will be concerned with answering questions related to the way women represent themselves, their situations, and the general Moroccan context on TV.
Generalized Adiabatic Theorem and Strong-Coupling Limits
Authors: Burgarth Daniel , Facchi Paolo , Nakazato Hiromichi , Pascazio Saverio , Yuasa Kazuya
Published: June 2019

We generalize Kato's adiabatic theorem to nonunitary dynamics with an isospectral generator. This enables us to unify two strong-coupling limits: one driven by fast oscillations under a Hamiltonian, and the other driven by strong damping under a Lindbladian. We discuss the case where both mechanisms are present and provide nonperturbative error bounds. We also analyze the links with the quantum Zeno effect and dynamics.
Fácies e superfícies de descontinuidade da barreira regressiva holocênica paranaense
Authors: BISI Florença Nunes , ANGULO Rodolfo José , SOUZA Maria Cristina de
Published: June 2019

A barreira regressiva holocênica paranaense foi formada quando o nível relativo do mar era superior ao atual e é um dos sistemas deposicionais que formam a planície costeira paranaense. O objetivo deste artigo é demonstrar a correlação entre as superfícies de descontinuidade existentes na barreira com as suas fácies sedimentares e associações de fácies. Os afloramentos foram expostos em uma cava de extração de areia nas proximidades de Praia de Leste, litoral do estado do Paraná. Foram realizadas a caracterização e interpretação das fácies, associações de fácies e superfícies de descontinuidade a partir do levantamento e descrição de 5 seções geológicas. A barreira é constituída principalmente por areia quartzosa predominantemente muito fina a fina que pode conter alta concentração de minerais pesados e detritos vegetais na forma de estratificações cruzadas tipo swaley e hummocky. Foram identificadas 13 fácies correspondentes às associações de fácies praia subaérea-intermaré, face litorânea superior e face litorânea média. Superfícies de 1ª, 2ª e 3ª ordem foram identificadas. As superfícies de 3ª ordem foram identificadas nas três associações de fácies e foram relacionadas a elementos arquitetônicos da barreira, denominados: depósitos de face praial, de barras submersas e de delta de maré vazante.
Análises estatísticas de alturas significativas de ondas de série temporal de curto prazo na costa do Rio Grande do Norte
Authors: MATOS Maria De Fátima Alves de , AMARO Venerando Eustáquio , SCUDELARI Ada Cristina , BEZERRA Ana Cleide Nascimento
Published: June 2019

O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar uma nova abordagem do clima de ondas disponível para a costa norte do Rio Grande do Norte, introduzindo análises espacial e temporal relacionadas a uma série temporal dos últimos cinco anos. O estudo fornece primeiramente uma avaliação da distribuição espacial das alturas significativas das ondas ao longo de uma série temporal entre 2010 a 2015, com análise anual, sazonal e mensal dos padrões de altura significativa (Hs) e direções médias (DIR) em todo o domínio espacial. Na segunda etapa, as variações temporais são analisadas considerando as médias mensais, a variabilidade sazonal e as variações interanuais nas estações costeiras. Finalizando, o estudo oferece uma classificação dos eventos severos de ondas a partir da aplicação da técnica dos percentis, cujo valor = P0,99 foi definido para estabelecer o limiar fixo em relação ao valores de Hs da série temporal. A distribuição anual e sazonal das alturas significativas das ondas no domínio espacial mostra que a zona de maior incidência, com os valores mais elevados está localizada na porção externa da plataforma continental, acima da isóbata de 25 m, com média de 1,96 m e valores máximos acima de 2 m para Hs com padrão direcional de ENE. Nas análises sazonais, durante os meses de verão as ondas são as mais altas nesta costa. Nas análises sazonais e interanuais, os anos de 2010 e 2013 foram considerados os anos de maior agitação e com maior frequência dos eventos severos na região. O estudo vem corroborar tanto no conhecimento dos padrões das ondas quanto na possibilidade de avaliar as ondas como recurso energético neste setor da costa do Nordeste.
Evaluation of objective and subjective treatment outcomes in orthodontic cases treated with extraction of a mandibular incisor
Authors: Lee Sherry , Firth Fiona A. , Bennani Florence , Harding Winifred , Farella Mauro , Antoun Joseph S.
Published: June 2019

Objectives:

To analyze changes in occlusal characteristics following mandibular incisor extractions (MIE), to determine the usefulness of wax setups in treatment planning MIE cases and to compare the pre- and posttreatment dental attractiveness between MIE cases and nonextraction (NE) controls.

Materials and Methods:

The Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) Index was used to score pre- and posttreatment dental casts of MIE cases (n = 14) and matched NE controls (n = 14). Occlusal characteristics were evaluated on diagnostic wax setups and posttreatment casts. Attractiveness of pre- and posttreatment cases judged on intraoral photographs of cases (n = 6) and controls (n = 6) were rated by 76 dental students and 10 laypeople using visual analogue scales (VAS).

Results:

The difference in PAR score reduction (%) between the MIE and NE groups was not significant. Between the wax setup and posttreatment casts, there were moderate correlations in overjet, overbite, and right canine classification. There was no significant difference in pre- and posttreatment change in VAS scores (%) for attractiveness between the MIE (49.8 ± 4.3 [S.E.]) and control groups (40.8 ± 4.3 [S.E.]). However, there was a significant difference (P = .000) between the observer groups.

Conclusions:

There were no significant differences in the treatment outcomes of orthodontic cases treated with MIE or NE, indicating that MIE is a valid treatment option. A wax setup is moderately correlated with posttreatment results. Both laypeople and dental students rated posttreatment dental attractiveness higher than pretreatment in MIE and NE groups. Dental students tended to be more critical than laypeople in their ratings.
Cost-effectiveness of Shared Telemedicine Appointments in Young Adults With T1D: CoYoT1 Trial
Authors: Wan Wen , Nathan Aviva G. , Skandari M. Reza , Zarei Parmida , Reid Mark W. , Raymond Jennifer K. , Huang Elbert S.
Published: June 2019

OBJECTIVE

Young adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) often struggle to achieve glycemic control and maintain routine clinic visits. We aimed to evaluate the societal cost-effectiveness of the Colorado young adults with T1D (CoYoT1) Clinic, an innovative care model of shared medical appointments through home telehealth.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Patients self-selected into the CoYoT1 (N = 42) or usual care (N = 39) groups.

RESULTS

Within the trial, we found no significant differences in 9-month quality-adjusted life; however, the control group had a larger decline from baseline in utility than the CoYoT1 group, indicating a quality of life (QoL) benefit of the intervention (difference in difference mean ± SD: 0.04 ± 0.09; P = 0.03). There was no significant difference in total costs. The CoYoT1 group had more study-related visits but fewer nonstudy office visits and hospitalizations.

CONCLUSIONS

The CoYoT1 care model may help young adults with T1D maintain a higher QoL with no increase in costs.
Determinación de indicadores y herramientas para alcanzar competitividad empresarial
Authors: Cotera Regalado Esperanza , Soberanes Martín Anabelem
Published: June 2019

Para que las empresas logren objetivos tales como incrementar ventas, aumentar ingresos, generar utilidades, ser líderes empresariales, entre otros, es necesario buscar estrategias de competitividad a seguir sin importar el tamaño o giro. Por lo que el objetivo de este estudio fue determinar los indicadores y herramientas que se necesitan para que las empresas logren ser competitivas.

El estudio tuvo un enfoque cuantitativo. La muestra estuvo integrada por 23 empresas que se ubican en dos municipios del Estado de México: Chalco y Valle de Chalco. La investigación se realizó en cinco fases: 1) Conceptual: se delimitó el problema y se llevó a cabo la investigación documental; 2) Planeación y diseño de la investigación; 3) Empírica: se realizó la recolección de los datos y preparación para su análisis; 4) Análisis de los datos e interpretación de resultados, y 5) Difusión.

El análisis se realizó con base en las cinco fuerzas de Porter. Entre los resultados se pudo observar que las empresas en un alto porcentaje no están preparadas para hacer frente a los actuales o nuevos competidores. Y respecto a las distintas fuerzas como, por ejemplo, los competidores directos, donde se ve la influencia de los precios, la competencia y el comportamiento del mercado, resalta que 60 % de la muestra considera que no tiene control sobre los precios; en cuanto a los productos sustitutos, 50 % de los encuestados muy frecuentemente conocen el impacto de estos en la empresa; 40 % casi nunca cuenta con una propuesta de valor para atraer al cliente; en cuanto al dominio de negociación que se tiene, y los proveedores con los que se cuenta, 40 % expresó que frecuentemente se negocia con ellos; por mencionar tan sola algunas de ellas. Una de las conclusiones a las que se arribó es que cuando las empresas conocen e identifican los indicadores de competitividad pueden lograr permanencia y crecimiento.
A framework for a comparative study of pre-service elementary teachers’ knowledge of rational numbers
Authors: Putra Zetra , Winsløw Carl
Published: June 2019

This paper presents a framework of a PhD research of the first author about a comparative study of pre-service elementary teachers’ knowledge of rational numbers between Indonesia and Denmark. To obtain the data, the authors design a series of hypothetical teacher tasks (HTTs), inspired by a paper of Durand-Guerrier, Winsløw, and Yoshida (2010). Subjects in this research are pre-service elementary teachers from a selection of different University Colleges in Denmark and from the elementary school teacher education study program, Riau University, in Indonesia. The praxeological reference models and the levels of didactic codetermination are used as tools to analyse the result.
Questioning definitions at university: the case of analysis
Authors: Winsløw Carl
Published: June 2019

Based on a case study on task design related to the definition of curve integrals in vector analysis, we examine a modest design for realizing the paradigm of “questioning the world” in the study of a certain type of definition in mathematical analysis, and more generally, the conditions and constraints this paradigm meets in university mathematics education
Japanese and Swedish Mathematics Teacher Educators’ Pedagogical Content Knowledge – An Institutional Perspective
Authors: Asami-Johansson Yukiko , Attorps Iiris
Published: June 2019

The aim of this paper is to investigate which kind of conditions and constraints affect Japanese and Swedish teacher educators’ pedagogical content knowledge (PCK). We analyse the praxeologies of the lessons in which the educators teach area determination. Our study shows that the Japanese teacher educators’ PCK are more explicitly shared by the community of the teacher educators compared to the Swedish counterpart. Also, the detailed Japanese curriculum and the structured problem solving approach promote to illustrate how to construct rich mathematical and didactical organisations for prospective teachers.
La teoría socioepistemológica, la teoría antropológica de lo didáctico y el problema de la constitución del saber
Authors: Ramírez Lianggi Espinoza , Gómez Andrea Vergara
Published: June 2019

En este artículo desarrollamos un acercamiento entre la teoría socioepistemológica y la teoría antropológica de lo didáctico desde el análisis del problema de la constitución del saber (el estudio de su génesis, evolución y transversalidad).
El problema didáctico del cálculo diferencial elemental como confluencia de tres líneas de investigación desarrolladas en el ámbito de la TAD
Authors: Lucas Catarina , Gascón Josep , Bon Cecilio Fonseca , Casas José
Published: June 2019

Esta comunicación tiene como objetivo mostrar hasta qué punto el problema didáctico del cálculo diferencial elemental entronca y desarrolla tres líneas de investigación profundamente relacionadas entre sí y resultantes de diversos trabajos emergentes de la teoría antropológica de lo didáctico (TAD). Como resultado de esta confluencia surge una propuesta de una posible razón de ser para el estudio del cálculo diferencial elemental en el inicio de la enseñanza universitaria portuguesa
ANALISIS HUKUM EKONOMI ISLAM TERHADAP PRAKTEK IHTIKAR
Authors: Kamal Fasiha , Abdullah Muhammad Ruslan
Published: June 2019

The purpose of this paper is to explain the Ihtikar law in trade and commercial activities. Islam emphasizes the implementation of moral values in all economic activities, so the ihtikar issue is very important to be studied in Islamic economic law. Islam basically gives freedom in carrying out economic activities, and Islam also regulates economic matters that cause harm. The results of the study found that the verses and hadith explained in this paper textually prohibit the existence of ihtikar. Ihtikar law is haram if the goods stockpiled are needed by the community which results in price increases. When this happens, Islam allows for intervention in economic activity by issuing some policies and rules that have an impact on normal prices.
ANALISIS STRUKTUR MODAL PADA PERUSAHAAN SEMEN YANG TERDAFTAR DI BURSA EFEK INDONESIA
Authors: Siliwadi Dirah Nurmila , Muliawani Siti Hartati
Published: June 2019

The aim to be achieved in this study is to analyze the capital structure of the Cement companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Cement companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for 3 years namely 2011 to 2013 in setting their capital structure policies tend to use their own capital which is greater than debt capital, this can be seen from the proportion of own capital which is greater than the proportion of debt. The optimal capital structure of 3 years from 2011 to 2013 occurred in 2011, namely when the cost of the weighted average capital of the minimum Cement company.
Influence of manufacturing temperature on the rheological behavior of some vegetable lubricating greases
Authors: Vodounon Cyrille Alode , Sterpu Ancaelena Eliza , Prodea Iuliana Marlena , Koncsag Claudia Irina
Published: June 2019

Lubricant greases from renewable resources are considered as an alternative to those manufactured from mineral or synthetic oils, due to their close-loop supply chain. Low toxicity makes them prone for machinery in food industry. The goal of the present study was to find the optimum parameters for their manufacture from some vegetable oils and calcium stearate soap synthesized in situ. The effect of synthesis temperature (between 80-110 °C) and soap concentration (between 15-25% wt.) on the rheology and consistency of the products was studied. The optimum manufacture resulted to be 100 °C and soap concentration between 20-25% wt. The conclusions of these study can serve as a basis for improving the said greases through additivation.
The evaluation of kinetic parameters for cadmium doped Co-Zn ferrite using thermogravimetric analysis
Authors: Kulkarni Akshay B. , Mathad Shridhar N. , Bakale Raghavendra P.
Published: June 2019

This work had the objective to analyze the thermodynamic properties of cadmium doped cobalt zinc ferrite (Co0.5Zn0.5Cd0.3Fe1.8O4), obtained by solid state reaction method and characterized by TGA-DTA. The TG analysis show sharp peaks at four points, two for water reduction, one for decomposition of chlorides and last one for formation of end product. The ratio of weight of end product to starting material match with ratio of molecular weight of end product and starting materials; this confirms the formation of ferrite sample. Broido, Coats-Redfern, Chang and Horowitz-Metzger approximations are employed to compute the activation energy (E
a) of formation of ferrite sample. The kinetic parameters like frequency factor (A), entropy change (ΔS), enthalpy change (ΔH) and changes in internal energy (ΔG) of sample are also reported.
Able-bodied beggars on the street: perceived determinants of their prevalence and their targeted land uses in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria
Authors: Taiwo Amos Oluwole , Agbabiaka Hafeez Idowu , Adeyeni Gideon Oluwaseyi , Dada Olanrewaju Timothy
Published: June 2019

This study examined the perceptions of able-bodied beggars to factors responsible for their prevalence and the land uses they occupied for their activities in Ibadan metropolis. Nigeria. Data were obtained from 117 (18, 12, 46, 13 and 28 in the areas of Sango, Iwo Road, Sabo, Challenge and Oja Oba, respectively) randomly selected able-bodied beggars using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using percentages, mean index, standard deviation, chi-square and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The study showed that 51.3% of the beggars were males; the youngest was 19 years old, while the oldest was 59 years. The average age of the beggars was 33 years. Further findings revealed that the average household size for the study area was 5, while the standard deviation was 2.6. The important perceived factors responsible for the prevalence of begging among the able-bodied beggars, measured on a 5-point Likert Scale, were homelessness (4.29), lack of skills for gainful employment (3.77), debt (3.64), meeting cost of education/children’s education (3.64), inability to secure a job (3.52) and lack of food (2.97). The study further revealed that the prevalence of begging among able-bodied beggars varied with land uses. Against this background, it was concluded that the information obtained on the socio-economic attributes of able-bodied beggars, perceived determinants of their prevalence and their targeted land uses could be utilized by policy-makers and urban planners to proffer lasting solutions to the menace of begging.
Preliminary reflectivity analysis of severe convective events in in the proximity of Goczałkowice-Zdrój, Poland
Authors: Pilorz Wojciech , Ciaramella Philip
Published: June 2019

At the beginning of 2018, the X-band radar in Goczałkowice-Zdrój (southern Poland) was launched. The scanning area corresponds with the scanning area of the POLRAD C-band radar system operated by the Polish Institute of Meteorology and Water Management. New opportunities were created for imaging phenomena by comparing some reflectivity features from C-Band radar and X-Band local weather radar. Moreover, some of the signatures located in the lower troposphere can be better documented by local X-Band radar. Firstly, reports from the ESWD (European Severe Weather Database) have been thoroughly analysed. All severe weather reports in the proximity of Goczałkowice-Zdrój (100-km radius) were gathered into one-storm events. Then the reflectivity from both radars was analysed to determine which reflectivity patterns occurred and when. X-band radars are known from the more intensive attenuation of the radar beam by the scatterers located closer to the radar, thus it is essential to compare capabilities of these two different radar systems. It was found that the average reflectivity for all convective incidents is higher when using POLRAD C-band radar data. In some events it was possible to find some spatial reflectivity signatures. We also discuss other reflectivity signatures previously described in the literature. Taking into account stronger Goczałkowice-Zdrój X-band radar attenuation, we suggest that some of these should be reviewed by reduction of the reflectivity thresholds.
Impact of globalization on the handloom industry – A case study of the Hugli district of West Bengal
Authors: Sarkar Sharmistha , Mukhopadhyay Sayani
Published: June 2019

The concept of globalization appeared in the Indian subcontinent in 1991. With the onset of liberalization, privatization and globalization a new chapter has been opened up in the Indian economy and her billion plus population. The Hugli district is one of the most renowned names in the handloom industry of West Bengal and a good percentage of people are engaged in this heritage industry. The study is conducted in five handloom clusters of the district, namely – Dhaniakhali - Somaspur, Begumpur, Haripal, Rajbolhat and Balagar. The main objectives of this paper were to investigate the effects of globalization on the rural handloom weaver community, in terms of their economic and social conditions. At the same time the article intends to analyse the changes in the over all production scenario of the handloom industry in the district due to modernization. It can be said that the handloom industry of the Hugli district is suffering from some inherent problems like low productivity, lack of product diversification and problems related to procuring raw materials. The co-operative sectors are indifferent to enlarging their market sphere. Though there are plenty of efficient and skilled weavers but they are only doing their traditional practices, the adoption of modern techniques is significantly poor among the weavers. Therefore the new generations are totally unwilling to accept weaving as their main occupation because of the uncertainty of the industry. The article also suggests some strategies to make this ever challenging industry globally competitive, such as, the identification of modern trends, promotion of exports, market assessment so that this heritage industry can cope with the modern trends and utilise the benefits of globalization.
Family Policy in the Strategic Planning of Rural Municipalities in the Czech Republic
Authors: Hudečková Helena , Husák Jakub , Voleská Rudolfina
Published: June 2019

The paper is focused on Family Policy of rural municipalities. National strategic documents, documents intended for implementation of Family Policy at regional and local levels and local plans/conceptions for Family Policy within municipalities of up to 5,000 inhabitants are analysed. Special attention is paid to the competition: “Family-friendly Community”. Results of the analysis show that this competition does not fulfil its mission, despite the favourable environment for Family Policy within rural municipalities. The results of the study in accordance with generally prevailing opinion show, that it is not efficient to elaborate conceptions of Family Policy within such small municipalities.
Tackling the Problem of Class Imbalance in Multi-class Sentiment Classification: An Experimental Study
Authors: Lango Mateusz
Published: June 2019

Sentiment classification is an important task which gained extensive attention both in academia and in industry. Many issues related to this task such as handling of negation or of sarcastic utterances were analyzed and accordingly addressed in previous works. However, the issue of class imbalance which often compromises the prediction capabilities of learning algorithms was scarcely studied. In this work, we aim to bridge the gap between imbalanced learning and sentiment analysis. An experimental study including twelve imbalanced learning preprocessing methods, four feature representations, and a dozen of datasets, is carried out in order to analyze the usefulness of imbalanced learning methods for sentiment classification. Moreover, the data difficulty factors — commonly studied in imbalanced learning — are investigated on sentiment corpora to evaluate the impact of class imbalance.
Extensible Implementation of Reliable Pixel Art Interpolation
Authors: Stasik Paweł M. , Balcerek Julian
Published: June 2019

Pixel art is aesthetics that emulates the graphical style of old computer systems. Graphics created with this style needs to be scaled up for presentation on modern displays. The authors proposed two new modifications of image scaling for this purpose: a proximity-based coefficient correction and a transition area restriction. Moreover a new interpolation kernel has been introduced. The presented approaches are aimed at reliable and flexible bitmap scaling while overcoming limitations of existing methods. The new techniques were introduced in an extensible. NET application that serves as both an executable program and a library. The project is designed for prototyping and testing interpolation operations and can be easily expanded with new functionality by adding it to the code or by using the provided interface.
Maternal Serum Concentrations of Corin, Endoglin, PP13, and sFlt-1 and their Changes with Advancement of Pregnancy and Correlation with Doppler of Uterine Arteries
Authors: Chalova Krasimira I. , Pehlivanov Blagovest K. , Amaliev Iliya G. , Amaliev Georgi I. , Raycheva Ralitsa D. , Ivanovska Mariya V.
Published: June 2019

Background: Pre-eclampsia (PE) affects 2% to 5% of all pregnancies and is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Since PE has complex pathogenesis and treatment is still not found, effective methods for prediction and prevention of PE are still actively searched.

Aim: The aim of this study was to find the mean maternal serum concentration of four proteins in Bulgarian pregnant women and to investigate the correlation with uterine artery pulsatility index in the first and second trimester of pregnancy.

Materials and methods: In this prospective case-control study, maternal serum concentrations of corin, sEndoglin, PP13, and sFlt-1 were measured, pulsatility index of uterine artery (PI-UA) was assessed in 40 women with Doppler, twice during pregnancy – at the 11th – 13th weeks of gestation and the 20th gestational week. They were randomized in two groups: an experimental group: with increased PIUA at gestational week 13 and a control group: with normal PI-UA. All pregnancies were followed up until the day of delivery and outcomes were recorded.

Results: There was no significant difference in the APGAR score and birth weight of the newborns between groups. We found no significant difference in the mean concentration of sEnd, sFlt-1 and PP13 between 11-13 weeks of gestation and 20 week of gestation in the control and experimental groups. Statistically significant difference was found only in the mean concentrations of corin between weeks 11-13 and week 20 in both control (t=3.27; p=0.004) and experimental group (t=3.22; p=0.005). Corin levels and the mean PI of uterine arteries tended to decrease with progression of pregnancy in both groups.

Conclusions: Further prospective studies of larger populations are required to develop a panel of multiple predictors for PE.
In Silico and in Vitro Studies of Fluorinated Chroman-2-Carboxilic Acid Derivatives as an Anti-tubercular Agent
Authors: Kapadiya Khushal M. , Jadeja Yashwantsinh S. , Banik Avishek , Khunt Ranjan C.
Published: June 2019

Background: Despite the use of traditional method, Ugi reaction currently is a well-established multicomponent reaction. Chromane motif itself possesses a variety of biological functions. In order to improve its anti-tubercular activity, it is necessary to modify it accordingly.

Aim: To ensure relation between in silico and in vitro study, we have carried out in vitro screening against H37Rv anti-tubercular agent.

Materials and methods: Ugi four-component condensation (U-4CCRs) between 6-fluorochroman-2-carboxylic acid, various aryl aldehyde, 3,4,5-trimethoxy amine and tert-butyl isocyanide, gave N-((tert-butylcarbamoyl)(4-substitutedphenyl) methyl)-6-fluoro-N-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl) chroman-2-carboxamide. The molecular level insight of all compounds was carried out by molecular docking study against the receptor tyrosine phosphatase PtpB. All these newly synthesized compounds were screened for their anti-microbial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv to determine the MIC, IC50 and IC90 of the compound.

Results: The compound 5d also shows large hydrophobic surface contact on the face of the α7–α8 (Ile 207, Phe 211, Met 206, Ile203, Phe161, Phe80, Met126, Tyr130, Val231 and Leu101) that lines one side of the entrance to the active site of the receptor. The compound 5d bind with tyrosine phosphatase PtpB with predicted docking geometric score of 4664, whereas a score of rifampicin was 6586 determined.

Conclusion: From the docking studies, compound 5d, was considered to be the potent inhibitor, which gave strong supportive coordinate with the in vitro study. It is highly active against H37Rv, having MIC and IC50 value of was 70 μM and 53 μM respectively in in vitro study.
Subgingival Microbiota during Formation of Permanent Dentition
Authors: Mitova Nadezhda G. , Rashkova Maya R. , Popova Hristina L. , Kozarov Anton S.
Published: June 2019

Background: Periodontal pathology in children has distinctive characteristics that can be accounted for by the peculiarities of the age, the dynamically changing oral environment, and the processes of formation and stabilization of periodontal structures during teeth eruption.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the composition of the subgingival microbiota during permanent dentition formation in puberty.

Materials and methods: The study included 30 children aged between 10 and 15 years without gingivitis (up to 25% PBI), with good oral hygiene, with no systemic diseases or reception of antibiotics for 3 months. The clinical status of all children was assessed using a specially designed chart based on the periodontal examination chart of a child adopted by the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, FDM-Sofia. Gingival sulcus samples were taken with a paper pin from 6 teeth for a PCR – Real Time study of 9 control strains (a comprehensive sample). The samples were sent for investigation in standardized containers.

Results: C. gingivalis (green complex) was found in almost all tested children and F. nucleatum (orange complex) - in more than half of them. The rest of the tested samples for microorganisms was isolated in just few of the children (6% - 17%). A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis were not isolated in this study.

Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that a significant amount of the periodontal pathogens migrate to the subgingival zone relatively early, immediately after the permanent teeth eruption, and become a risk factor for the development of periodontal disease.
Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Treatment with Denosumab in Aggressive Giant-cell Tumor of Bone in the Proximal Fibula: a Case Report
Authors: Marinova Violeta V. , Slavchev Svetoslav A. , Patrikov Kircho D. , Tsenova Petya M. , Georgiev Georgi P.
Published: June 2019

Giant cell tumor of bone is a histologically benign but locally aggressive osteolytic lesion, capable of spreading ‘benign’ metastases mainly to the lungs. Since its description as a separate entity, surgery has been the mainstay of treatment. Recently, target therapy has been introduced using denosumab – an inhibitor antibody for the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand with dramatic eff ect on the natural course of the tumor. Herein, we report a rare case of an aggressive stage 3 giant cell tumor of bone of the proximal fibula that was successfully downstaged using neoadjuvant denosumab treatment and then treated by surgical excision followed by adjuvant target therapy. The clinical characteristics and treatment modalities of giant cell tumor of bone, the indications for target therapy, therapy response, and histological changes are also briefly discussed.
The Bologna process in the European and Italian university system.
Authors: Figus Alessandro
Published: June 2019

This wants to be a contribution for those who want to understand the Bologna process, intergovernmental cooperation of 48 European countries in the field of higher education. The Bologna process guides the collective effort of public authorities, universities, teachers, and students, together with stakeholder associations, employers, quality assurance agencies, international organisations, and institutions, including the European Commission, on how to improve the internationalisation of higher education, a project that is at the base of the modernization of the European educational system and well beyond.
Italy-Azerbaijan relations: an analysis by means of social networks
Authors: Bernardini Enrico
Published: June 2019

The European focus on the Caucasus region has increased considerably and reflects the need for safe access to the various energy resources in the Caspian region.

In this sense, Azerbaijan plays a key political role because of its geographical location, as a privileged bridge for trade between East and West, but also for historical and cultural reasons, placed between Russia, Iran and Turkey, interlocutors with whom, especially today, it is necessary to confront.

The contribution aims to focus on the Italy-Azerbaijan relationship through the eyes of social networks, analyzing first how well they are known in the country of Central Asia and then which are those most used by the population. Secondly, the country’s data will be related to the global trend to highlight similarities and differences. Finally, it will be analyzed the pages and groups of social networks that deal with the relationship between Azerbaijan and Italy, showing the main topics covered and how the two countries are getting closer not only for economic reasons, but also cultural because in Azerbaijan the Italian culture is known and appreciated, especially the language, music, art and gastronomy.
Baku and architecture: from Soviet building to archistars
Authors: De Boni Federico
Published: June 2019

The present paper intends to analyse the current urban situation of the city of Baku. Starting from its history and the vicissitudes that have seen the alternating city periods of splendour with gloomy moments, some of the great urban projects realised since the end of the 20th century and which are transforming the appearance of Baku are taken into consideration. Accomplice a new moment of splendour, favoured by the huge proceeds of the oil industry, the city of Baku is, in fact, revolutionising its appearance and its structure to become a new city of global importance, as it happened for Dubai.
Identity, values, online reality and faith of new generations
Authors: Costa Cecilia
Published: June 2019

In today’s socio-cultural context, the period of youth is less experienced as a predictable path towards the assumption of the adult status and increasingly characterised by the difficulty of defining one’s identity, prefiguring one’s future paths and choices to make. To these problems, one must add the so-called collateral damages produced by the Web, which condition, or can condition, the configuration of the personalities of young people, the shape and quality of their relationships, the sense of events, their experiences and how values and faith are conceived.
The Mediterranean Region: between terrorism, tourism and security
Authors: Varani Nicoletta , Bernardini Enrico
Published: June 2019

Tourism remains a very vulnerable sector and sensitive to both internal and external impacts, such as economic and social crises, natural disasters, epidemics and diseases, national and international conflicts. Among these, the most alarming threat in the 21st century remains terrorism. In this sense, this paper aims to study the effects of the increasingly frequent terrorist attacks by the extremist factions of Al-Qaeda and ISIL on the tourism industry in the Mediterranean Region. The contribution, after having discussed in general the tourism market in the Mediterranean Region, intends to highlight the impacts and repercussions of the terrorist attacks on tourism, presenting the example of Egypt and one of its best-known tourist destinations, Sharm el-Sheikh. In this sense, it is shown how, in a few years, the political instability of the country and the attacks of 2005 and 2016 have significantly reduced the influx of tourists, transforming it from one of the most visited destinations in the world in a place of increasing abandonment.
Thermal Radiation and Chemical Reaction Effects on Unsteady Magnetohydrodynamic Third Grade Fluid Flow Between Stationary and Oscillating Plates
Authors: Idowu A.S. , Sani U.
Published: June 2019

An analysis was carried out for an unsteady magnetohydrodynamic(MHD) flow of a generalized third grade fluid between two parallel plates. The fluid flow is a result of the plate oscillating, moving and pressure gradient. Three flow problems were investigated, namely: Couette, Poiseuille and Couette-Poiseuille flows and a number of nonlinear partial differential equations were obtained which were solved using the He-Laplace method. Expressions for the velocity field, temperature and concentration fields were given for each case and finally, effects of physical parameters on the fluid motion, temperature and concentration were plotted and discussed. It is found that an increase in the thermal radiation parameter increases the temperature of the fluid and hence reduces the viscosity of the fluid while the concentration of the fluid reduces as the chemical reaction parameter increases.
Evaluation of the Parameters of Vibrations During Dynamic Balancing of the Fan Rotor According to Polish and International Standards
Authors: Śloderbach Z.
Published: June 2019

In the paper a procedure and methodology of acceptable calculations of powers, displacements (of amplitudes) and velocities of pulses according to ISO standards depending on the rotational speeds (frequencies) of rotor during attempts of dynamic breaking down taking into account effectiveness of vibration isolation were described. The proposed method is regarding one-sidedly hung rotors appearing in such appliances as rotors of fans, blowers, pumps and others. As permissible parameters of pulses values which are given in international standards PN-ISO-10816-1:1998P and PN-ISO-7919-1:2001 were assumed. Calculations were compared in the form of tables and they depicted with relevant graphs which have the character of useful nomograms. Also, recommendations for the design of the foundations and guidelines related to dimensions of the foundation, the weight and the way of fixing the device were given. In the end also closing remarks and conclusions were given.