bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring Signaling Roles of Service Providers' Reputation and Competence in Influencing Perceptions of Service Quality and Outsourcing Intentions
Authors: Wei Chung-Lun , Ho Chien-Ta
Published: October 2018

With the advancement of technology, the utilization of information technology/information systems (IT/IS) is increasingly important in enhancing productivity. Thus, IT/IS outsourcing has become a crucial issue for companies. When faced with an unfamiliar outsourcing service market, and particularly when initially outsourcing, client companies experience uncertainty. Employing the signaling theory, the study proposes one intrinsic cue (competence) and one extrinsic cue (reputation) for outsourcing service providers to evaluate service quality, value, and the subsequent outsourcing intentions of clients. The results demonstrate that suppliers' competence and reputation are influential signals for perceived service quality, which in turn affects perceived value and outsourcing intentions. Moreover, suppliers' reputations are found to have a greater impact on perceived service quality than suppliers' competence; the latter has a direct effect on perceived value, while the former does not. The implications for theory and practice are also discussed, as are suggestions for future research.
Soybean protein concentrate in Pacific white shrimp reared in bioflocs: effect on health and vibrio challenge
Authors: Schleder Delano Dias , Jatobá Adolfo , Silva Bruno Corrêa da , Ferro Daniel Paulo Damin , Seiffert Walter Quadros , Vieira Felipe Do Nascimento
Published: October 2018

Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp were reared in a bioflocs system and fed different levels of soybean protein concentrate as a replacement for fishmeal, and both immunological parameters of this marine shrimp and its resistance to Vibrio sp. infection (CPQBA 378-12 DRM01) were evaluated. Four different diets were formulated with 0, 33, 66 and 100 % of soybean protein concentrate as a substitute for fishmeal. Shrimp were reared in a biofloc system in twelve 800 L tanks (250 shrimp m-3) maintained at constant aeration and temperature. After 42 days, 36 animals (14.21 ± 0.89 g) per treatment were challenged with Vibrio sp. (1 x 105 CFU mL-1 – LD10), and hemolymph was collected before and after challenge to perform immunological assays (agglutination titer, concentration of protein and phenoloxidase activity). Shrimp fed with the experimental diets showed no difference in their resistance to infection and haemato-immunological parameters. Thus, rearing L. vannamei in a biofloc system on diets containing either partial or total replacement of fishmeal for soybean protein concentrate did not affect either immunocompetence or susceptibility to infection.
Surgical strategies for ruptured complex aneurysms using skull base technique and revascularization surgeries
Authors: Otani Naoki , Wada Kojiro , Toyooka Terushige , Takeuchi Satoru , Tomiyama Arata , Mori Kentaro
Published: October 2018

Object: Surgical clipping of paraclinoid aneurysm, thrombosed large aneurysm, and/or vertebral-basilar dissecting aneurysms can be very difficult and has relatively high morbidity. We describe our experience using skull base and bypass technique and discuss the advantages and its pitfalls. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical charts of 22 consecutive patients with complex aneurysmal lesions underwent skull base and/or bypass techniques between March 2012 and April 2017. Results: There were 5 patients with paraclinoid or internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm underwent modified extradural temporopolar approach with mini-peeling of the dura propria with suction decompression, 3 patients with ICA aneurysm underwent intradural anterior clinoidectomy, 12 patients with vertebral dissecting aneurysm through transcondylar fossa approach (6 patients underwent occipital artery-posterior inferior cerebellar artery [OA-PICA] bypass), 1 patients with vertebral artery dissection underwent superficial temporal artery-superior cerebellar artery and OA-PICA bypass through posterior transpetrosal approach, 1 patient with arteriovenous fistula at the ventral side of the craniovertebral junction through extremely far lateral approach. Surgical outcome was good recovery in 10 patients, moderate disability in 4, severe disability in 4, vegetative state in 2, and dead is 2 patients. The favorable outcome was 63.6%, and poor outcome was 36.4%, which showed poor grade subarachnoid hemorrhagic patients. No patient suffered any complication related to re-rupture and/or incomplete clipping. Conclusion: Skull base technique, which can create a wide and shallow operative space, allowed us to improve surgical outcome and to reduce the risk of intraoperative neurovascular injury for surgical treatment of deeply located complex aneurysms.
Surgical management of intracranial giant epidermoid cysts in adult: A case-based update
Authors: Mangraviti Antonella , Mazzucchi Edoardo , Izzo Alessandro , Sturdà Cosimo , Albanese Alessio , Marchese Enrico , Olivi Alessandro , Puca Alfredo , Sturiale Carmelo
Published: October 2018

Epidermoid cysts (ECs) are benign and slow-growing lesions that account for about 0.2%–2% of all intracranial tumors. Symptoms appear slowly and tumors may have already grown to giant proportions when patients receive their first diagnosis. The optimal treatment for ECs is surgical removal, which includes the total resection of the entire capsule of the lesion in order to minimize the risk of malignant transformation associated with partial removal. However, considering the giant size that the ECs can reach at the time of the diagnosis, and their adherence to the surrounding structures, the risks and benefits of total versus subtotal resections in the short- and long-term patients' outcome are still under debate. Here, we report a case of an extensive giant EC and offer a discussion of its characteristics, surgical management, and postoperative outcome, taking a cue to argue about the recent literature based in the latest case studies.
Extreme eigenvalues of an integral operator
Authors: Sobolev Alexander V.
Published: October 2018

We study the family of compact operators

B_\alpha = V A_\alpha V

,

\alpha > 0

in

\textsf L^2(\mathbb R^d)

,

d \geq 1

, where

A_\alpha

is the pseudo-differential operator with symbol

a^{(\alpha)}(\boldsymbol {\xi}) = a(\alpha \boldsymbol {\xi})

, and both functions

a

and

V

are real-valued and decay at infinity. We assume that

a

and

V

attain their maximal values

A_0 > 0

,

V_0 > 0

only at

\boldsymbol {\xi} = 0

and

\mathbf x = 0

. We also assume that

a(\boldsymbol {\xi}) = A_0 - \Psi_\gamma (\boldsymbol {\xi}) + o(|\boldsymbol {\xi}|^\gamma),\quad |\boldsymbol {\xi}|\to 0,

V(\mathbf x)= V_0 - \Phi_\beta (\mathbf x) + o(|\mathbf x|^\beta),\quad |\mathbf x|\to 0,

with some functions

\Psi_\gamma (\boldsymbol {\xi})>0

,

\boldsymbol {\xi} \neq 0

and

\Phi_\beta(\mathbf x) > 0

,

\mathbf x\neq 0

that are homogeneous of degree

\gamma > 0

and

\beta > 0

respectively. The main result is the following asymptotic formula for the positive eigenvalues

\lambda_\alpha^{(n)}

of the operator

B_\alpha

(arranged in descending order counting multiplicity) for fixed

n

and

\alpha \to 0

:

\lambda_\alpha^{(n)} = A_0V_0^2 - \mu^{(n)} \alpha^\sigma + o(\alpha^\sigma),\quad \alpha \to 0,

where

\sigma^{-1} = \gamma^{-1}+ \beta^{-1}

, and

\mu^{(n)}

are the eigenvalues (arranged in ascending order counting multiplicity) of the model operator

T

with symbol

V_0^2\Psi_\gamma(\boldsymbol {\xi}) + 2A_0 V_0 \Phi_\beta(\mathbf x)

.
Barrier-top resonances for non globally analytic potentials
Authors: Bony Jean-François , Fujiié Setsuro , Ramond Thierry , Zerzeri Maher
Published: October 2018

We give the semiclassical asymptotic of barrier-top resonances for Schrödinger operators on

\mathbb R^{n}

,

n \geq 1

, whose potential is

C^{\infty}

everywhere and analytic at infinity. In the globally analytic setting, this has already been obtained in [8, 29]. Our proof is based on a propagation of singularities theorem at a hyperbolic fixed point that we establish here. This last result refines a theorem of [4], and its proof follows another approach.
Virus Reduction Neutralization Test: A Single-Cell Imaging High-Throughput Virus Neutralization Assay for Dengue
Authors: Whiteman Melissa C. , Bogardus Leah , Giacone Danila G. , Rubinstein Leonard J. , Antonello Joseph M. , Sun Dengyun , Daijogo Sarah , Gurney Kevin B.
Published: October 2018

Vaccine immunogenicity and clinical efficacy are often assessed by the measure of serum-neutralizing antibodies. The present gold standard for detecting neutralizing antibodies against many viruses, including dengue, is the plaque/focus reduction neutralization test (P/FRNT). The FRNT is a cell-based assay that inherits high variability, resulting in poor precision and has lengthy turnaround times. The virus reduction neutralization test (VRNT) is a high-throughput alternative to the standard low-throughput and laborious FRNT. The VRNT is similar to FRNT using unaltered wild-type virus and immunostaining, yet uses imaging cytometry to count virus-infected cells 1 day post-infection, reducing assay time and increasing overall throughput 15-fold. In addition, the VRNT has lowered variability relative to FRNT, which may be explained in part by the observation that foci overlap alters foci count and titer over time, in the FRNT. The ability to count one infected cell, rather than waiting for overlapping foci to form, ensures accuracy and contributes to the precision (7–25% coefficient of variation) and sensitivity of the VRNT. Results from 81 clinical samples tested in the VRNT and FRNT show a clear positive relationship. During sample testing, a 96-well plate edge effect was noted and the elimination of this edge effect was achieved by a simple plate seeding technique. The VRNT is an improvement to the current neutralization assays for its shortened assay time, increased precision and throughput, and an alternative to the P/FRNT.
The Effect of School Closure on Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Transmission in Singapore: A Modeling Approach
Authors: Chen Yirong , Badaruddin Hishamuddin , Lee Vernon J. , Cutter Jeffery , Cook Alex R.
Published: October 2018

Singapore implements a school closure policy for institutional hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) outbreaks, but there is a lack of empirical evidence on the effect of closure on HFMD transmission. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 197,207 cases of HFMD over the period 2003–2012 at the national level and of 57,502 cases in 10,080 institutional outbreaks over the period 2011–2016 in Singapore. The effects of school closure due to 1) institutional outbreaks, 2) public holidays, and 3) school vacations were assessed using a Bayesian time series modeling approach. School closure was associated with a reduction in HFMD transmission rate. During public holidays, average numbers of secondary cases having onset the week after dropped by 53% (95% credible interval 44–62%), and during school vacations, the number of secondary cases dropped by 7% (95% credible interval 3–10%). Schools being temporarily closed in response to an institutional outbreak reduced the average number of new cases by 1,204 (95% credible interval 1,140–1,297). Despite the positive effect in reducing transmission, the effect of school closure is relatively small and may not justify the routine use of this measure.
Strength in Numbers: The WWARN Case Study of Purpose-Driven Data Sharing
Authors: Humphreys Georgina S. , Tinto Halidou , Barnes Karen I.
Published: October 2018

Data are the basis for all scientific output. The sharing of data supporting that output is an important aspect of scientific communication, and is increasingly required by funders and publishers. Yet, academic advancement seldom recognizes or rewards data sharing. This article argues that although mandating data sharing will increase the amount of data available, this will not necessarily enable or encourage the secondary analyses needed to achieve its purported public good. We, therefore, need to build models that maximize the efficiency of processes for data collation and curation, and genuinely reward those engaged in data sharing and reuse. The WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network has 10 years of experience as a data platform, and its study group approach provides an example of how some of the challenges in equitable and impactful data-sharing and secondary use can be addressed, with a focus on the priorities of researchers in resource-limited settings.
Measuring Optimal Experiences of CANR Undergraduates in a Leadership Course
Authors: Everett Michael W. , Raven Matt R.
Published: October 2018

Many universities integrate leadership as a core component of agricultural education. Interestingly, little research has been conducted on the impact of leadership courses comparing the perceived leadership skills and abilities of students with and without prior leadership experience. Socio-psychological measures of flow or optimal experience during an undergraduate leadership course were used to compare and contrast sample groups within course teaching techniques. Flow theory was used to compare and contrast: 1) Student demographics in an undergraduate leadership course; 2) students with various leadership experiences; and 3) optimal experiences and leadership experiences using different teaching techniques. Results indicated that overall, students within an undergraduate leadership course are more likely to have optimal experiences during experiential learning activities and reflecting on learning. Similar results exist with undergraduate leadership students having prior leadership experience (non-FFA) and FFA experience. This research suggests that utilizing experiential learning activities in classroom learning and reflecting on those experiences may have the highest potential for producing optimal experiences in the context of undergraduate leadership education. Finally, using the experience sampling method to compare and contrast prior leadership, optimal experiences, and teaching approaches has merit and expands the suite of instruments available to understand undergraduate leadership experiences and learning.
Organizational Change in the Land-Grant System: A Qualitative Evaluation
Authors: Lamm Kevan W. , Sapp L. Rochelle , Lamm Alexa J.
Published: October 2018

Individuals representing different organizations within the Land-Grant University System (LGUS) were asked to provide their insights on organizational change using a focus group approach. The study focused on three key components to organizational change in the LGUS: what initiates change, the hindrances to change, and what sustains change. Themes were analyzed relative to the existing literature and synthesized into a new conceptual model of organizational change in the LGUS. Results indicated change can be effectively initiated at lower levels of the organization where individuals have the appropriate span of control to drive change. Bureaucratic inertia was identified as the primary hindrance to change in the LGUS. Finally, relationships were identified as most important for sustaining change. Based on the results recommendations suggest that organizations within the LGUS employ a balance between proactive and reactive change and establish a clear communication plan and to ensure the plan emphasizes the respect due to those that will be involved or affected. Furthermore, to mitigate the effects of bureaucratic inertia, any organizational change effort within the LGUS should be accompanied by enough time to analyze the culture and build organizational support and buy-in. Additional recommendations were provided based on the results of the study.
Is There an App for That?: Describing Smartphone Availability and Educational Technology Adoption Level of Louisiana School-Based Agricultural Educators
Authors: Smith H. Eric , Stair Kristin S. , Blackburn J. Joey , Easley Madelyn
Published: October 2018

The purpose of this study was to describe smartphone availability and usage for teaching by agricultural educators in Louisiana. Further, this study sought to describe the level of educational technology adoption of these teachers. Data were collected at each Louisiana FFA Leadership Camp session during the summer of 2016. Teachers were asked to indicate the availability of smartphones for instructional purposes at their school. Teachers also indicated instructional technologies they are using currently, as well as their self-perceived level of adoption of educational technology. Over half of the teachers indicated their district policy allowed teachers to employ smartphones for educational purposes. Less than one-third of the teachers were in districts that allowed students to use smartphones for learning. The classroom computer and digital projector were the most commonly utilized educational technologies. The highest percentage of teachers perceived themselves as letting others adopt technologies before they are willing to try. The results of this study are in line with the Diffusions of Innovations theory in terms of percentages of teachers in the adopter categories. It is recommended that teacher professional development opportunities be developed following the model of teacher change to ensure agriculture teachers receive up-to-date information to further their practice.
The Motivational Changes Pre-Service Agricultural Education Teachers Endure while Facilitating Quality Supervised Agricultural Experiences: A Six-Week Project-Based Learning Experience
Authors: Roberts Richie , Robinson J. Shane
Published: October 2018

The Planning the Community Program in Agricultural Education course exists to provide preservice teachers in agricultural education with knowledge about FFA and supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs). As such, pre-service teachers embarked on a six-week project-based learning experience in Spring 2016 in which they raised a pen of broilers from a one-day old chick to harvest ready (42 days). The broilers were used as the context to learn about managing data for entrepreneurial SAEs. This case study examined pre-service teachers’ motivation regarding their self-reported beliefs and perspectives for participating in the project. Three themes emerged: (a) initial self-ambition, (b) achievement stagnation, and (c) stabilized self-concept. Students began the project with high motivation and excitement. However, toward the midway point of the project, students’ motivation waned, due to monotony and challenges. Finally, during the last two weeks, pre-service teachers’ motivation stabilized, as their self-concepts and reflection abilities matured. The study holds important implications for how teacher educators in agricultural education should design and deliver future project-based learning experiences regarding students’ motivational processes. Specifically, this study indicates that, although student motivation may fluctuate at various stages, it is developed and sustained in a successive manner over time.
Beginning SBAE Teachers’ Metal Fabrication Knowledge Needs: Implications for Teacher Preparation
Authors: Swafford Marshall , Hagler Paden
Published: October 2018

While agricultural mechanics, which includes metal fabrication, continues to be popular among school-based agricultural education (SBAE) students (Hubert & Leising, 2000), the number of required courses in agricultural mechanics for teaching certification in agricultural education is relatively low (Blackburn, Robinson, & Field, 2015). Despite the minimal required coursework, Saucier and McKim (2010) argued that all SBAE teachers who instruct agricultural mechanics should be technically competent. To ensure preservice teachers are technically prepared to enter the profession, this study, guided by the model for teacher preparation (Whittington, 2005), sought to determine the essential metal fabrication knowledge and skills which beginning SBAE teachers should possess prior to beginning a career in agricultural education. Results from this study identified eight essential knowledge and skill areas categorized into four categories, metal fabrication equipment, metal fabrication production, student assessment, and laboratory management. Preservice teacher programs should be evaluated to determine if they are effectively preparing teachers in the curriculum area of metal fabrication. Teacher educators and professional development staff should plan professional education programs for in-service teachers in this agricultural mechanics area.
Predicting Likelihood to Pay Attention to Agriculture-Related Issues in the News with Demographic Characteristics
Authors: Ruth Taylor K. , Settle Quisto , Rumble Joy N. , McCarty Keelee
Published: October 2018

The public has more choices than ever when it comes to choosing media, which has led to gaps in knowledge across members of the public. Investigating motivational differences across demographic groups to pay attention to agriculture-related news could address knowledge gaps related to agriculture-related issues. The Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) includes motivation as a precursor to attitude change. Past research has indicated the public utilizes the peripheral processing route of the ELM when presented with agriculture-related messages, which leads to weak changes in attitude. The purpose of this research was to explore how demographic characteristics could predict likelihood to pay attention to agriculture-related news issues. A nationwide survey of United States residents indicated that respondents were likely to pay attention to agriculture-related news topics. A regression analysis found the following to be statistically significant predictors for likelihood to pay attention: marital status, geographic region, age, and political beliefs. However, the model accounted for a small amount of variance in likelihood to pay attention. The results from this study illustrate that while U.S. residents possess the motivation to process agriculture-related news, they may be utilizing the peripheral pathway of the ELM due to a lack in ability to process the communication.
Sustainable Water Management within Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Education
Authors: McKim Aaron J. , Forbush Mark , McKendree R. Bud
Published: October 2018

Water scarcity is a global problem in which, through consumption and eutrophication of freshwater, agriculture has contributed. The impact of water scarcity necessitates research into how agriculture, food, and natural resources (AFNR) educators can support solutions. A subset of AFNR educators in the Great Lakes Basin participated in a professional development experience designed to introduce how online, sustainable water management tools could be incorporated within AFNR curricula. Participants were then surveyed about past and future intentions to incorporate the tools. Results indicated teachers planned to increase utilization of sustainable water management tools by 3.50 days per school year. Qualitative feedback suggested teachers planned to use the tools to achieve a variety of aims, including teaching about water usage, the relationship between soil and water, and record keeping. Participants were also asked to evaluate the alignment between sustainable water management tools and AFNR education. Teachers perceived the strongest alignment between sustainable water management tools and Environmental Services Systems and Natural Resources Systems pathways. Findings from this mixed-method study are discussed using the Model of Teacher Change, including recommendations for future professional development on sustainable water management and research on increasing the ability of AFNR educators to support water scarcity solutions.
Impact of Teacher Attire on Students’ Views of Teacher Credibility, Attitude Homophily, and Background Homophily within School-based Agricultural Education Programs
Authors: Shoulders Catherine W. , Smith Lesley
Published: October 2018

School-based agricultural education teachers can face conflicting role obligations and conflict when contradictory expectations accompany their positions, making the daily selection of what to wear difficult for these educators. The decision is crucial, however; dress sends strong messages of the profession to others, including students. We used a multiple case study design to examine the impact of teacher attire on students’ perceptions of attitude homophily, background homophily, and teacher credibility. Findings indicated differing perceptions of business professionally, business casually, and casually dressed agriculture teachers between cases. Further, data suggested students’ expectations for teacher attire varied by content matter, with agricultural mechanics content requiring more casual clothing. We recommend teachers wear business casual clothing most frequently in order to moderate between students’ teacher-related and agriculturalist-related expectations, while shaping students’ views regarding the professionalism of the agricultural, food, and natural resources industry.
Factors Contributing to Illinois School-Based Agriculture Teachers’ Final Decision to Leave the Classroom
Authors: Solomonson Jay K. , Korte Debra S. , Thieman Erica B. , Retallick Michael S. , Keating Kari H.
Published: October 2018

Teacher attrition is a significant problem nationally and a special challenge for school-based agriculture education programs. The purpose of this study was to investigate contributing variables associated with former Illinois school-based agriculture teachers and their decision to leave the profession. A four-factor conceptual model is proposed as a framework for explaining agriculture teacher retention or attrition and includes the multivariate constructs of Personal Factors, Working Conditions, Teacher Development, and Compensation. Demographic characteristics are explored as well as differences between novice and experienced teachers and their perceptions of attrition influences. This study is unique in that it reports survey data from teachers who have left the profession (n = 91) and explores their reflective perceptions about reasons for leaving. Among all teachers, Personal Factors and Teacher Development were found to have the most impact on decisions to leave the profession. Compensation was found to be a more significant attrition influence for novice teachers than for experienced teachers. Recommendations for organizations hoping to promote agriculture teacher retention are discussed.
Student Perceptions of Workforce Readiness in Agriculture
Authors: Hendrix Rachel , Morrison Carley C.
Published: October 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine postsecondary agriculture students’ perceptions of and their personal competence in various workforce readiness skills. In addition, we sought to determine students’ views of the importance of workforce readiness skills. The findings indicate that the participants felt most confident in their abilities to work independently and without supervision, demonstrate loyalty, and act in a manner that displays responsibility and respect for others. They felt least confident in all areas of communication, but especially in written formats such as formal reports and documents. Rankings of skill importance revealed that participants believed maintaining harmony in the workplace and building positive relationships were considered to be most essential, with personal responsibility and communication close behind. Finally, an analysis of entry-level job announcements indicates that the skills most sought by employers include communication, teamwork, attitude, creativity, flexibility, and independence.
Source contributions and potential reductions to health effects of particulate matter in India
Authors: Guo Hao , Kota Sri Harsha , Chen Kaiyu , Sahu Shovan Kumar , Hu Jianlin , Ying Qi , Wang Yuan , Zhang Hongliang
Published: October 2018

Abstract. Health effects of exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in India
were estimated in this study based on a source-oriented version of the
Community Multi-scale Air Quality (CMAQ) model. Contributions of different
sources to premature mortality and years of life lost (YLL) were quantified
in 2015. Premature mortality due to cerebrovascular disease (CEVD) was the
highest in India (0.44 million), followed by ischaemic heart disease (IHD,
0.40 million), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, 0.18 million), and
lung cancer (LC, 0.01 million), with a total of 1.04 million deaths. The
states with highest premature mortality were Uttar Pradesh (0.23 million),
Bihar (0.12 million), and West Bengal (0.10 million). The highest total YLL
was 2 years in Delhi, and the Indo-Gangetic plains and eastern India had
higher YLL (∼1 years) than other regions. The residential
sector was the largest contributor to PM2.5 concentrations
(∼40 µg m−3), total premature mortality (0.58
million), and YLL (∼0.2 years). Other important sources
included industry (∼20 µg m−3), agriculture
(∼10 µg m−3), and energy (∼5 µg m−3) with their national averaged contributions of 0.21, 0.12, and 0.07
million to premature mortality, and 0.12, 0.1, and 0.05 years to YLL.
Reducing PM2.5 concentrations would lead to a significant
reduction of premature mortality and YLL. For example, premature mortality in
Uttar Pradesh (including Delhi) due to PM2.5 exposures would be reduced
by 79 % and YLL would be reduced by 83 % when reducing PM2.5
concentrations to 10 µg m−3.
Two Poems by MEH
Authors: H M E
Published: October 2018

Two Poems by MEH
Contributors' Notes
Authors: Bennett Michael
Published: October 2018

Contributors' Notes for Radical Teacher Issue 112.
Cuestionario de adherencia para las adaptaciones dietéticas en disfagia
Authors: Oriol-Peregrina Núria
Published: October 2018

Las adaptaciones de la dieta son estrategias adaptativas de compensación que se utilizan para optimizar la seguridad y la eficacia deglutoria en personas que presentan disfagia. El objetivo del artículo es presentar un Cuestionario de Adherencia para facilitar el encuentro terapéutico entre paciente y familia en cuanto al seguimiento de las orientaciones dietéticas cuando existe disfagia, dado que en la literatura no existe ningún instrumento de estas características. El cuestionario se somete a un procedimiento de consenso, método Delphi, con el objetivo de que un grupo de expertos en la materia llegue a un acuerdo sobre el mismo. Un total de 13 expertos a través de dos rondas llegan a un 100% de acuerdo en un 80% de las cuestiones presentadas sobre el contenido del Cuestionario de Adherencia. El instrumento propuesto inicialmente se modifica y mejora gracias a las opiniones de los expertos. El resultado final es un Cuestionario de Adherencia para utilizar en la práctica clínica con personas que padecen disfagia y necesitan adaptaciones en la dieta, consensuado por un grupo de expertos.
Protocolo de evaluación de la prosodia emocional y la pragmática en personas con esquizofrenia
Authors: Martínez Alfonso , Martínez-Lorca Manuela , Santos Jose Luis , Martínez-Lorca Alberto
Published: October 2018

La esquizofrenia se caracteriza por una distorsión del pensamiento, las percepciones, las emociones, el lenguaje, la conciencia de sí mismo y la conducta. Afecta a más de 21 millones de personas en todo el mundo y es una de las 10 enfermedades más incapacitantes según la Organización Mundial de la Salud, pero existe escasa evidencia sobre el déficit lingüístico con el que cursa la enfermedad. Estudio transversal y cuasi-experimental donde se analizan los datos resultantes de la evaluación por medio de diferentes pruebas de las áreas de pragmática y prosodia en una muestra compuesta por 96 sujetos, de los cuales 48 (50%) no tienen enfermedad mental y componen el grupo control y 48 (50%) tienen enfermedad mental y componen el grupo experimental.De acuerdo con la clasificación de Crow (1978), el 56,7% de los sujetos del grupo experimental (27 sujetos) tiene sintomatología positiva y el 43,8% (21 sujetos) tiene sintomatología negativa. Se observan diferentes patrones de déficit según la sintomatología, así como una afectación de las áreas evaluadas en el estudio (pragmática y prosodia afectiva).La esquizofrenia cursa con déficit en las áreas analizadas, si bien existe una controversia acerca de su origen. En relación con la pragmática, encontramos interpretaciones literales en ambos tipos de pacientes, aunque son más frecuentes en los sujetos con sintomatología positiva. En cuanto a la prosodia, encontramos frecuencias fundamentales excesivas, monotonía en la expresión de las emociones y dificultades para comprender emociones a través de los aspectos prosódicos.
El financiamiento público de los partidos políticos en México: tópicos controversiales y propuesta de alternativa tecnológica para su fiscalización
Authors: Valles Santillán Gabriela Guadalupe
Published: October 2018

El objetivo de este artículo es abordar el tema del financiamiento público de los partidos políticos en México; mediante una perspectiva analítica se resaltan los tópicos más controversiales –no solo en el ámbito jurídico, sino también en el social– sobre la determinación de los montos de los recursos económicos que les corresponden a dichos actores por ese concepto, así como en lo relativo a la eficiencia de los mecanismos de fiscalización y transparencia en el ejercicio de esos recursos, mismos que han sido bastante criticados, aun cuando la última reforma constitucional en materia político-electoral hizo un rediseño al respecto. En ese sentido, también se propone una posible alternativa basada en tecnología disruptiva de cadena de bloques que contribuya en la mejora del proceso de fiscalización; para ello se explican los fundamentos elementales de tal propuesta, con miras a desarrollar en extenso, y en ulterior investigación, la estrategia aludida.
Intercultural Management between Tunisia and Europe
Authors: Khanche Hanen , Kahla Karim Ben
Published: October 2018

The subject of this paper is to report on the problem of cultural differences in management between Tunisia and Europe in the context of the company.Thus, the paradox between values and the way of managers’ life in companies. Therefore, daily strategies also represent one's willingness to be accepted by society and not to be cut off.The present article has three parts. The first is to identify the cultural foundations of European society, the Anglo-Saxons and the francophone’s culture. The second is to show how Tunisian cultural values are unsuited to the European model. The third part is to propose some recommendations for adapting the strategies of Tunisian companies to their European partners. Based on the Tunisian cultural configuration and the information collected through the case studies, we recommend a code of conduct companies attempt to bring together all staff around common values and to foster a common culture where social responsibility can play an important role. These codes cannot be imposed but must correspond to the reality of the business under. It is difficult for a gap to be created between the speeches and the reality, leading to the de-involvement of managers.The subject of this paper is to report on the problem of cultural differences in management between Tunisia and Europe in the context of the company.Thus, the paradox between values and the way of managers’ life in companies. Therefore, daily strategies also represent one's willingness to be accepted by society and not to be cut off.The present article has three parts. The first is to identify the cultural foundations of European society, the Anglo-Saxons and the francophone’s culture. The second is to show how Tunisian cultural values are unsuited to the European model. The third part is to propose some recommendations for adapting the strategies of Tunisian companies to their European partners. Based on the Tunisian cultural configuration and the information collected through the case studies, we recommend a code of conduct companies attempt to bring together all staff around common values and to foster a common culture where social responsibility can play an important role. These codes cannot be imposed but must correspond to the reality of the business under. It is difficult for a gap to be created between the speeches and the reality, leading to the de-involvement of managers.
Small and Medium-Scale Agro-Produce Entrepreneurship and Promotion of Non-Oil Exports from Nigeria
Authors: John Eze, Felix , E. Odigbo, Ben , Edem Bassey, Agness
Published: October 2018

The study undertook a critical appraisal of marketing communications’ tools for the promotion of non-oil exports by small and medium-scale agro-produce entrepreneurs in Nigeria. It was motivated by the problem of low performance of the non-oil export sub-sector in the country. This is in spite of government’s incentives and the introduction of African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in May 2000 by the United States of America, which was to improve export of products particularly in agriculture from Sub-Saharan Africa to the United States. The focus of AGOA was to enhance the economic growth of countries in Sub-Saharan Africa through export leverages rooted in the reduction of tariffs and non-tariff barriers. The specific objectives of the study were to: determine the effect of internet-marketing communications media as tools for promoting small and medium-scale farming entrepreneurs’ non-oil exports from Nigeria; and ascertain the effect of social-media communications as tools for promoting small and medium-scale farming entrepreneurs’ non-oil exports from Nigeria. Survey research design was adopted in the study. The sample frame comprised small and medium-scale agro-produce farmers drawn from three States representing the three-former regional structure of the country. Data sourced were statistically analyzed. Results indicate that both internet marketing and social media communications were not yet significant for promoting non-oil exports by small and medium-scale farming entrepreneurs from Nigeria, because of other serious diluting variables like poor products’ quality, packaging, processing, storage and other systemic bottlenecks. It was then recommended that the Governments in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Nigeria, should introduce and educate small and medium-scale agro-produce entrepreneurs wishing to go into non-oil exports, among other things, to improve their products’ qualities to meet international markets’ standards, before employing internet and social media marketing communications to create global awareness and demands for them.
Effect of Wall-Assisted Exercises on the Balance and Walking Ability of Visually Impaired Individuals
Authors: Suveren-Erdogan Ceren
Published: October 2018

This study aims to ensure that wall-assisted exercises are among the primary exercises for visually impaired individuals, to observe the effect of these exercises on balance and walking abilities, be able to make efficient progress in a short period of time, to support these individuals’ self-confidence and ability to act independently and to reduce the risks that may arise from loss of balance.7 sedentary individuals with B2 and B3 levels visual impairment between the ages of 16 and 18 voluntarily participated in the study. Once verbal information was given about the study to be conducted to the visually impaired participants, they were asked to take 15 brisk steps and 15 heel-toe steps to determine their spatial orientation disorders and balance losses. During the following 10 weeks, the study involving 5 movements to be applied by means of a wall were applied in company with the verbal and physical corrections of an instructor for 40 minutes a day and 1 day a week. Tests were repeated after 10 weeks. Due to the low number of subjects, the participants were not separated in terms of their gender and the data of the study were expressed in graphics.Looking at the pre-test and post-test averages, the 15-step heel-toe walking duration was 14.71 seconds and the balance loss values decreased by 4.86 points while 15-step brisk walking duration was 2.71 and directional loss decreased by 1.72 points.The study revealed that balance loss and spatial orientation disorder of visually impaired individuals who applied wall-assisted exercises in company with verbal notification and physical aid decreased compared to the pre-study period. These results point to the fact that wall-assisted exercises are quite useful and applicable in the walking training of visually impaired individuals.
Instytucjonalna podstawa orzekania w ramach arbitrażu przymusowego
Authors: Wach Andrzej
Published: October 2018

The courts of modern countries do not want to use the monopoly in the area of deciding about investments or sports cases. Henceforth, in time appeared a construction of alternative forms for solving such a dispute. They constitute an open category of proceedings solving sports disputes, which are undergoing a big evolution in some countries nowadays. Their common characteristic is the interference of a neutral third party (for example an arbitrator), with a purpose to present or propose to the parties a solution of a dispute. Arbitration is often thought as a quick and efficient method for determining controversies. The modern law prescribes formal and substantive requirements for the arbitration agreement, which must be made in writing. The requirement of a written form is also satisfied if in a contract between parties, they refer to a document containing a clause with a decision to resolve their dispute in arbitration, provided that such a contract is made in writing and the reference incorporates that clause into the contract. The principal problem related to the arbitration agreement “per relationem” or “by reference” lies in the consensual character of such agreement whereas the form of the agreement has been found to be a preliminary question to this matter. In the article the author analyses the institutional basis for obligatory arbitration in past and currently. This type of arbitration may be forced by a law, a third party (e.g. international sports federation) or a party of the legal relationship.
Uma Ontologia para Computação Quântica
Authors: Pires José Carlos Puiati , Vizzotto Juliana Kaizer
Published: October 2018

A computação quântica se apresenta atualmente como um novo paradigma computacional em relação à proposta de computação tradicional. Nela a representação de informação e evolução de um sistema computacional são diferentes. Apesar de um grande estudo sobre ela, ainda não foi proposto um modelo de conhecimento que descreva a computação quântica. Em busca disso, o seguinte trabalho apresenta uma ontologia em OWL, esta é modelada para incluir as principais características da computação quântica, fornecendo uma versão de conhecimento para esse domínio específico.
Investigation of xylanase properties and possibilities of immobilization using sodium alginate
Authors: Čižeikienė Dalia , Prakopavičiūtė Laura , Paškevičius Algimantas , Raudonienė Vita
Published: October 2018

Recently, attention has been paid to the processing of byproducts of agriculture into valuable components, and the use of immobilized enzymes for this purpose has become more and more interesting due to the possibility to increase their stability, as well as economic benefit. The aim of this work was to select xylanase producing fungi and to evaluate the influence of temperature and media pH on the activity of enzyme, as well as to evaluate the possibility of xylanase immobilization: (i) covalently on a solid carrier and (ii) encapsulating in alginate gel. In this study ten microscopic fungi were screened for xylanase activity and one belonging to Penicillium sp. genus was selected for further experiments as it produced the highest amount of xylanases. The optimum temperature for xylanases production by Penicillium sp. was 70–100°C and pH 6. Xylanases produced by Penicillium sp. were immobilised: (i) covalently on glutaraldehyde activated alginate beads and (ii) in sodium alginate gel beads. The covalent immobilization efficiency was optimized by changing the immobilization conditions: glutaraldehyde concentration, enzyme load and coupling time. The immobilization yield of covalent immobilization and the immobilization in sodium alginate beads were 91 and 65%, respectively.
Medios de Comunicación e Historia Reciente. Un estudio con alumnado chileno de Secundaria
Authors: Sánchez Agustí María , Vásquez Leyton Gabriela , Vásquez Lara Nelson
Published: October 2018

Se exponen parte de los resultados de una investigación cuyo objetivo es conocer las ideas de los estudiantes de secundaria chilena sobre el proceso Transición Democrática, enfatizando en las fuentes de conocimiento histórico que tienen sobre este tema. El estudio cuantitativo es realizado a partir de los discursos de 616 estudiantes de colegios privados, subvencionados y municipales de cuatro ciudades del país. Estas ideas se recogen a partir un cuestionario analizadas a través de un programa estadístico. Nuestros resultados indican que el caudal de conocimientos adquiridos por los estudiantes sobre la Transición no sólo proceden del ámbito escolar sino también, muy particularmente, de los medios de comunicación social, lo que debe ser considerado por el profesorado en su enseñanza.
La memoria democrática en las aulas de secundaria y bachillerato: balance de una experiencia didáctica
Authors: Galiana i Cano Vicent
Published: October 2018

Este artículo presenta los resultados de una investigación sobre la concepción y el conocimiento de la memoria democrática en las aulas de secundaria y bachillerato, mediante la confección e implementación de una propuesta didáctica sustentada sobre la historia local y la concepción del aula como un lugar de investigación. A su vez, se analizan los mecanismos de aprendizaje, las transformaciones de la percepción del alumnado y los resultados del proyecto didáctico, que permiten ofrecer, de este modo, algunas claves para el trabajo de la historia y la memoria en la enseñanza de la Guerra Civil y la represión franquista.
Analogue closed-loop optogenetic modulation of hippocampal pyramidal cells dissociates gamma frequency and amplitude
Authors: Nicholson Elizabeth , Kuzmin Dmitry A , Leite Marco , Akam Thomas E , Kullmann Dimitri Michael
Published: October 2018

Gamma-band oscillations are implicated in modulation of attention, integration of sensory information and flexible communication among anatomically connected brain areas. How networks become entrained is incompletely understood. Specifically, it is unclear how the spectral and temporal characteristics of network oscillations can be altered on rapid timescales needed for efficient communication. We use closed-loop optogenetic modulation of principal cell excitability in mouse hippocampal slices to interrogate the dynamical properties of hippocampal oscillations. Gamma frequency and amplitude can be modulated bi-directionally, and dissociated, by phase-advancing or delaying optogenetic feedback to pyramidal cells. Closed-loop modulation alters the synchrony rather than average frequency of action potentials, in principle avoiding disruption of population rate-coding of information. Modulation of phasic excitatory currents in principal neurons is sufficient to manipulate oscillations, suggesting that feed-forward excitation of pyramidal cells has an important role in determining oscillatory dynamics and the ability of networks to couple with one another.