bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Growing mastery in NYC
Authors: Nolan Joy
Published: October 2016

In June 2016, the Mastery Collaborative completed its first year as an official program, working with more than 40 public middle and high schools across the five boroughs of New York City to improve, document, and advocate for mastery-based teaching and learning. The collaborative has eight Living Lab schools that practice schoolwide mastery; most Mastery Collaborative schools are Active Members, who may be earlier on in the progression toward schoolwide mastery. In this article, teachers and students share their experiences with mastery learning, and the Collaborative offers several insights to schools interested in implementing the approach.
Making grades more meaningful
Authors: Hochbein Craig , Pollio Marty
Published: October 2016

However, compared to traditional grading, standards-based grading practices demonstrated stronger correlations between grades and standardized test scores, including among minority and economically disadvantaged students. In addition, students who experienced standards-based grading more often earned an A or B and scored higher on the standardized state test. Although we discovered statistical benefits to standards-based grading practices, we wondered how these differences translated into real students, grades, and test results.
Under the Law
Authors: Underwood Julie
Published: October 2016

To respond to the needs of homeless students, Congress enacted the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act in 1987 to ensure that homeless students had access to a public education. The passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act in 2015 introduced new amendments to the McKinney Act, which affect how schools interact with homeless students. Among the changes are an expansion of support for preschool children and clarifying support for high school students acquisition of graduation credits.
Backtalk
Authors: Eckert Jonathan
Published: October 2016

Epic failures can lead to improvement. Being transparent about failure through risk, reflection, and revision helps make us all better teachers. Embracing risk — even when the evidence points to failure -- is a necessary first step toward growth according to improvement science.
Telehealth coordinators in hospital based telehealth services: Who are they and what do they do?
Authors: Edirippulige Sisira , Armfield Nigel R , Greenup Phil , Bryett Andrew
Published: October 2016

Many studies have identified the importance of ‘telehealth coordinators’ for successful telehealth implementation and operation. However, little is known about the telehealth coordinators’ functions, the skills and competencies required and the reasons for their influence. This study aimed to examine the key functions of telehealth coordinators in the Queensland public health system, their perceptions about their role, and the level of competencies to support this role. All telehealth coordinators within Queensland Health Telehealth Services were invited to complete a questionnaire. We collected: (i) demographic information; (ii) details of their telehealth work; and (iii) information about knowledge and skills relevant to their telehealth coordinator role. Eighteen of 20 (90%) participants completed and submitted the survey. Telehealth coordinators were responsible for a range of tasks relating to telehealth consultations, technical assistance, administration, research, promotion and marketing. Nearly all telehealth coordinators ( n = 17, 94%) were confident in carrying out the tasks of their job. The majority of telehealth coordinators ( n = 13, 72%) thought education and training relating to telehealth would help improve their job. The top three topics that telehealth coordinators were keen to learn about were: (i) examples of clinical use of telehealth; (ii) types of technologies used; and (iii) telehealth clinical and business models. Our participants were all hospital-based; as the use of telehealth is growing outside of the traditional hospital settings, the role of telehealth coordinators is likely to change.
Mobile health (mHealth) for headache disorders: A review of the evidence base
Authors: Mosadeghi-Nik Mahsa , Askari Marzyeh S , Fatehi Farhad
Published: October 2016

The aim of this review was to explore and summarise the evidence base for using mobile apps for the management of headache disorders. PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Scopus were searched for studies reporting the use of mobile health applications (apps) for managing headache disorders. Different combinations of keywords for mobile health, smartphone and headache were used for electronic search. Six studies (two journal papers and four conference papers) met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. All of the reviewed studies were categorised as the lowest level (level IV) of evidence according to the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) hierarchy of evidence. The results of the studies demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of a few mobile apps for headache in very limited settings, and indicated that these apps can be effective tools for identifying trigger factors of migraine, improving self-management of headache disorders, and mediating the interactions between headache sufferers and their treating doctors. The role of participatory research and involvement of patients and clinicians in the development of such apps was also highlighted. Despite the availability of numerous mobile apps for headache disorders, the evidence base to support their effectiveness and clinical safety is very weak. The current literature indicates that mobile apps have the potential for improving the care of headache sufferers, but this is yet to be proven by adequately designed studies.
Exploring the benefits of a stroke telemedicine programme: An organisational and societal perspective
Authors: Bagot Kathleen L , Bladin Christopher F , Vu Michelle , Kim Joosup , Hand Peter J , Campbell Bruce , Walker Alison , Donnan Geoffrey A , Dewey Helen M , Cadilhac Dominique A
Published: October 2016

We undertook a qualitative analysis to identify the broader benefits of a state-wide acute stroke telemedicine service beyond the patient-clinician consultation. Since 2010, the Victorian Stroke Telemedicine (VST) programme has provided a clinical service for regional hospitals in Victoria, Australia. The benefits of the Victorian Stroke Telemedicine programme were identified through document analysis of governance activities, including communications logs and reports from hospital co-ordinators of the programme. Discussions with the Victorian Stroke Telemedicine management were undertaken and field notes were also reviewed. Several benefits of telemedicine were identified within and across participating hospitals, as well as for the state government and community. For hospitals, standardisation of clinical processes was reported, including improved stroke care co-ordination. Capacity building occurred through professional development and educational workshops. Enhanced networking, and resource sharing across hospitals was achieved between hospitals and organisations. Governments leveraged the Victorian Stroke Telemedicine programme infrastructure to provide immediate access to new treatments for acute stroke care in regional areas. Standardised data collection allowed routine quality of care monitoring. Community awareness of stroke symptoms occurred with media reports on the novel technology and improved patient outcomes. The value of telemedicine services extends beyond those involved in the clinical consultation to healthcare funders and the community.
Use of telehealth to treat and manage chronic viral hepatitis in regional Queensland
Authors: Keogh Kandice , Clark Paul , Valery Patricia C , McPhail Steven M , Bradshaw Candise , Day Melany , Smith Anthony C
Published: October 2016

For regional and rural Queenslanders, chronic viral hepatitis treatment is a major unmet health need, with restricted access to specialists outside of tertiary, largely metropolitan hospitals. To increase treatment of chronic viral hepatitis in regional Queensland, a team-based telehealth model was expanded. This expansion embedded an initial nursing consultation prior to specialist telehealth consultation. We conducted a retrospective audit of the introduction and expansion of hepatology telehealth services. Activity from July 2014–June 2015 (pre-expansion) was compared with July 2015– June 2016 (post-expansion). Interviews were conducted with key staff to determine factors contributing to success of the service and identify ongoing challenges to the service model. A greater than four-fold increase in clinical consultation was observed (131 telehealth consultations pre-expansion vs 572 post-expansion; p < 0.001). The failure to attend rate decreased (13.0% vs 6.5%, pre vs post-expansion respectively; p = 0.030), suggesting engagement with the service increased. Staff cited nurse-conducted primary assessment prior to specialist consultation and personalised patient treatment packs as key contributors to increased patient flow and engagement. This expanded team approach appears effective in delivering specialised treatment to an underserved area in regional Central Queensland. It may serve as a model to further expand telehealth management of chronic disease for regional Queenslanders.
Web-based (online) comprehensive geriatric assessment is more time efficient, and as reliable, as reading patient medical records and conducting traditional in person consultations
Authors: Martin-Khan Melinda G , Edwards Helen , Wootton Richard , Varghese Paul , Lim Kwang , Darzins Peteris , Dakin Lucy , Gray Leonard C
Published: October 2016

The aim of this study was to report the time taken by geriatricians to reach triage decisions using an online assessment format compared with face-to-face (FTF) assessment. Patients ( N = 166) were randomly allocated to two groups: online and FTF assessments (OF group); and dual FTF assessments (FF group). Case preparation was conducted by trained nurse assessors using a web-enabled clinical decision support system. Geriatricians allocated to perform an ‘online’ assessment had access to this information only. Geriatricians allocated FTF assessments reviewed this data, as well as the paper-based medical file and then consulted directly with the patient and attending staff. Data were collected in relation to time taken to complete OL assessments, compared with FTF assessments. A complete OL consultation averages 10 minutes, and a FTF consultation almost 26 minutes. In FTF consultations, less time is spent using the OL material when the geriatrician is aware that they will have access to the patient chart and need time to speak with the patient. The less time taken using the OL approach did not significantly alter the triage decisions made by the geriatricians.
Delivering patient education by group videoconferencing into the home: Lessons learnt from the Telehealth Literacy Project
Authors: Banbury Annie , Parkinson Lynne , Nancarrow Susan , Dart Jared , Gray Leonard C , Buckley Jennene
Published: October 2016

We examined the procedures for implementing group videoconference (VC) education for older people delivered into the home environment to identify the most common themes affecting the optimum delivery of VC home-based groups to older people. Participants ( n = 52) were involved in a six-week group VC patient education program. There were a total of 44 sessions, undertaken by nine groups, with an average of four participants (range 1–7) and the facilitator. Participants could see and hear each other in real-time whilst in their homes with customised tablets or a desktop computer. The data presented here are based on a program log maintained by the facilitator throughout the implementation phase of the project and post intervention. The VC group experience is influenced by factors including the VC device location, connection processes, meeting times, use of visual aids and test calls. Social presence can be improved by communication protocols and strategies. Robust information technology (IT) support is essential in mitigating technical problems to enhance users’ experience. Group patient education can be delivered by VC into homes of older people. However, careful pre-program planning, training and support should be considered when implementing such programs.
Impact of simple conventional and Telehealth solutions on improving mental health in Afghanistan
Authors: Khoja Shariq , Scott Richard , Husyin Nida , Durrani Hammad , Arif Maria , Faqiri Faqir , Hedayat Ebadullah , Yousufzai Wahab
Published: October 2016

For more than a century Afghanistan has been unstable, facing decades of war, social problems, and intense poverty. As a result, many of the population suffer from a variety of mental health problems. The Government recognises the situation and has prioritised mental health, but progress is slow and services outside of Kabul remain poor. An international collaborative implemented a project in Badakshan province of Afghanistan using conventional and simple low-cost e-Health solutions to address the four most common issues: depression, psychosis, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse. Conventional town hall meetings informed community members to raise awareness and knowledge. In addition, an android-based mobile application used the World Health Organization’s Mental Health Gap Action Programme guidelines and protocols to: collect information from community healthcare workers; provide referral services to patients; provide blended learning to improve providers’ mental health knowledge, skills, and practice; and to provide store-and-forward and live consultations. Preliminary evaluation of the intervention shows enhanced access to care for remote communities, decreased stigma, and improved quality of health services. Primary care workers are also able to bridge the gap in consultations for rural and remote communities, connecting them with specialists and providing better access to care.
Integrating telehealth in to ‘business as usual’: Is it really possible?
Authors: Jury Susan C , Kornberg Andrew J
Published: October 2016

The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, began offering web-based telehealth video consultation in 2011, with the principle being that telehealth should be integrated into ‘business as usual’. In telehealth literature, key differences between telehealth and in-person consultations can make this hard to achieve, so an audit was performed that revealed many small gaps in the process.

A total of 125 telehealth appointments were booked during the study period. Of these, 13% ( n = 16) were rescheduled, cancelled or changed to face-to-face appointments, and up to two main issues were identified for the remaining appointments. Some 69% of the remaining 108 appointments ( n = 75) were completed successfully, with 23% ( n = 25) completely seamless end to end. Overall, 39 issues were administrative (40%), 34 technical (35%) and 24 scheduling (25%); nine (8%) required some minor troubleshooting.

For long-term sustainability, integrating telehealth into business as usual needs to remain the target. Scheduling and technical glitches were the main barriers to seamless telehealth. Several issues have now been addressed with the introduction of an electronic medical record, and the development of standardised processes and staff training.
Protein stabilization improves STAT3 function in autosomal dominant hyper-IgE syndrome
Authors: Bocchini Claire E. , Nahmod Karen , Katsonis Panagiotis , Kim Sang , Kasembeli Moses M. , Freeman Alexandra , Lichtarge Olivier , Makedonas George , Tweardy David J.
Published: October 2016

Publisher's Note: There is an Inside Blood Commentary on this article in this issue.
To B1a or not to B1a: do hematopoietic stem cells contribute to tissue-resident immune cells?
Authors: Beaudin Anna E. , Forsberg E. Camilla
Published: October 2016

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have long been considered the continuous source of all hematopoietic cells for the life of an individual. Recent findings have questioned multiple aspects of this view, including the ability of lifelong HSCs to contribute to tissue-resident immune cells. Here we discuss the most recent findings on the source of B1a cells, innatelike lymphocytes that primarily reside in serous cavities. Powerful experimental approaches including bar coding, single cell transplantation, in vivo lineage tracing, and HSC-specific pulse-chase labeling have provided novel insights on B1a-cell generation during ontogeny. We evaluate the evidence for fetal vs adult B1a-cell production capacity and the identity of putative cells of origin. Integrating these most recent findings with previous work, we propose a working model that encapsulates our current understanding of waves of immune development.
Trade and the Global Recession
Authors: Eaton Jonathan , Kortum Samuel , Neiman Brent , Romalis John
Published: October 2016

We develop a dynamic multicountry general equilibrium model to investigate forces acting on the global economy during the Great Recession and ensuing recovery. Our multisector framework accounts completely for countries' trade, investment, production, and GDPs in terms of different sets of shocks. Applying the model to 21 countries, we investigate the 29 percent drop in world trade in manufactures during the period 2008–2009. A shift in final spending away from tradable sectors, largely caused by declines in durables investment efficiency, accounts for most of the collapse in trade relative to GDP. Shocks to trade frictions, productivity, and demand play minor roles. (JEL E3, F1, F4)
Leverage and Beliefs: Personal Experience and Risk-Taking in Margin Lending
Authors: Koudijs Peter , Voth Hans-Joachim
Published: October 2016

What determines risk-bearing capacity and the amount of leverage in financial markets? Using unique archival data on collateralized lending, we show that personal experience can affect individual risk-taking and aggregate leverage. When an investor syndicate speculating in Amsterdam in 1772 went bankrupt, many lenders were exposed. In the end, none of them actually lost money. Nonetheless, only those at risk of losing money changed their behavior markedly; they lent with much higher haircuts. The rest continued largely as before. The differential change is remarkable since the distress was public knowledge. Overall leverage in the Amsterdam stock market declined as a result. (JEL D12, D14, D83, G11, G21)
A step-by-step workflow for low-level analysis of single-cell RNA-seq data with Bioconductor
Authors: Lun Aaron T.L. , McCarthy Davis J. , Marioni John C.
Published: October 2016

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is widely used to profile the transcriptome of individual cells. This provides biological resolution that cannot be matched by bulk RNA sequencing, at the cost of increased technical noise and data complexity. The differences between scRNA-seq and bulk RNA-seq data mean that the analysis of the former cannot be performed by recycling bioinformatics pipelines for the latter. Rather, dedicated single-cell methods are required at various steps to exploit the cellular resolution while accounting for technical noise. This article describes a computational workflow for low-level analyses of scRNA-seq data, based primarily on software packages from the open-source Bioconductor project. It covers basic steps including quality control, data exploration and normalization, as well as more complex procedures such as cell cycle phase assignment, identification of highly variable and correlated genes, clustering into subpopulations and marker gene detection. Analyses were demonstrated on gene-level count data from several publicly available datasets involving haematopoietic stem cells, brain-derived cells, T-helper cells and mouse embryonic stem cells. This will provide a range of usage scenarios from which readers can construct their own analysis pipelines.
Profiling in the activities of the Internal Affairs of Russia
Authors: Кузьмина  , Kuzmina Alena
Published: October 2016

The article: is devoted to the possibilities of using profiling in law enforcement police. Many years of successful experience in the use of profiling abroad, obtained positive results confirm the practical utility of this method in the preparation of the police, and can be used in the training of operational-investigative and operative search units, public security police, Police psychologists and investigative units.
Conflict of Laws Regulation of Compensation for Harm Caused by the Defects in Goods, Work, or Services
Authors: Лазарева Татьяна , Lazaryeva Tatyana
Published: October 2016

The article deals with the conflict of laws regulation of compensation for damage caused by a product (works or services) in terms of amendments to Part III of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation by the Federal Law No. 260-FZ of September 30, 2013. It is noted that the effect of the basic principle (lex loci delicti) for non-contractual obligations in the field of products liability (works, services) is limited by the establishment of special forms of attachment due to the specifics of these relations that require a differentiated approach. On the basis of comparison of the legislation of certain countries, as well as Article 5 “Product liability” of the Regulation (EC) No. 864/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 July 2007 on the law applicable to non-contractual obligations (Rome II) tendencies of conflicts regulation in this area are identified based on the “cascade” system of norms, which allows to take into account various cases of causing of harm. It was concluded that despite some differences the Russian legal rules in general meet requirements of modern conflict of laws rules on product liability in most European countries.
Correlation of State Regulation and Self-Regulation Methods
Authors: Позднышева Елена , Pozdnysheva Elena , Синицын Сергей , Sinitsyn Sergey
Published: October 2016

Regulation of economic relations is not homogeneous both in terms of its contents in statics, and in terms of specific methods, forms and means of legal influence in dynamics. An important role in regulation of economic relations at the present stage of their development belongs to self-regulation institutions. This entrusted science with a task of justification of this form of economic interaction and integration within the economic activity regulation mechanism. The issues of correlation of state regulation and self-regulation are debatable and still unsettled definitely: development and transformation of forms of state regulation of economy; understanding of self-regulation as an antipode of state regulation. The authors came to a conclusion that self-regulation is a specific instrument of regulation of economic relations which cannot be considered as a derivative of state regulation or be defined at the discretion of private law subjects. As a consequence, methods of state regulation and selfregulation shall differ. Tasks and methods of self-regulation and state regulation of economic relations are different. At state regulation, an authorization-based method prevails, while at self-regulation the principle “everything which is not forbidden is allowed” is used. This is manifested in the following aspects of correlation of these two mechanisms of regulation of economic relations.
On the Legal Problems of Assessment of Public Authorities
Authors: Еремина Ольга , Yeryemina Olga
Published: October 2016

The article deals with the one of the tools of performance management — assessment of public authorities, namely the analysis of the legal provision of this tool. For analyzing from all public bodies were chosen executive authorities of the Russian Federation. An approbation of estimation procedure of executive authorities started with lower levels of executive system of the Russian Federation — executive bodies of subjects of the Russian Federation and local self-government. A number of laws which introduced in legal system of the Russian Federation the criteria and indicators of the effectiveness of the above authorities was adopted. Practical application of the adopted documents proved inviability of adopted documents, the inability to objectively evaluate activity of executive authorities of the Russian Federation and local authorities. Major efforts to change the volume and content of the fixed performance were carried out. The article analyzes the newly adopted documents.
Theoretical aspects of forming anticorruption conscious and behavior as factor for opposition crimes and illegal acts
Authors: Исхаков  , Iskhakov Eduard , Аксенов  , Aksenov Sergey
Published: October 2016

This article about theoretical and practical aspects of forming lawful persons of law enforcement bodies exactly education for them anti-corruption conscious and behavior.

The analysis of literature is showed that in this moment is not widely using effective methods for creating and utilizing strict system of psychological and pedagogical methods for forming anticorruption conscious among law enforcement bodies officers.

Estimated such shortages in anticorruption education as law informing of employees about corruption and its signs, declarative of legal documents about forming anticorruption behavior.The problem is showed – how and what to diagnose from hypothetical briber by psychological methods, which features of person will be in most possibility to detect his /her corrupt conscious.

The conclusion is made about necessarily creating and approbation education program for forming anticorruption conscious with using psychological and pedagogic methods which can producing anticorruption behavior among law enforcement bodies officers.
Labours’ Right Protection of the Groups of Workers
Authors: Князева Наталья , Knyazeva Natalya
Published: October 2016

The article pays attention to the fact that as a rule violations of labours’ right protection are of mass proportions, but the labor legislation does not provide the possibility for collective defense. Features of the labours’ right protection predetermine the necessity for restoration of the rights of one employee to solve the question about other employees whose rights have been violated in the same way. Following this line of reasoning and taking into account the identified advantages of collective defense, there was substantiated the necessity of recognition of the collective right for protection in a case of simultaneous violations of the rights of a few (group) of employees by the same employer. In the article there were formulated the attribute which has to meet the group of employees for purposes of collective defense. Some peculiarities of realization of the collective right to protection were also analyzed in present article. Special attention was paid to the collective suspension of work and classaction lawsuit as measures of collective judicial protection.
A Decision Support System for Fuel Supply Chain Design at Tampa Electric Company
Authors: Danandeh Anna , Zeng Bo , Caldwell Brent , Buckley Brian
Published: October 2016

Tampa Electric Company (TECO), which serves 687,000 customers in Florida, generates 60 percent of its electricity using coal-fired generators. To meet environmental regulations on the emission of coal combustion, it must carefully mix several fuels of different qualities to make safe, environmentally friendly, and affordable blends that are generator specific. We worked with the management and engineering teams at TECO to develop a decision support platform, which centers around a mixed-integer programming (MIP) model to comprehensively capture system specifications, requirements, and operations in all key aspects of TECO’s fuel supply chain. This platform enables TECO to make optimal procurement, transportation, blending, and burn decisions and satisfy all environmental regulations. We estimate that the implementation of this model can provide TECO with annual fuel-cost savings of 2–3 percent, which translate to millions of dollars of savings in total fuel costs.
Evaluation of a Raman spectroscopic method for the determination of alcohol content in Greek spirit Tsipouro
Authors: Pappas Christos , Marianthi Basalekou , Konstantinou Elina , Proxenia Niki , Kallithraka Stamatina , Kotseridis Yorgos , Taranilis Petros
Published: October 2016

A Raman spectroscopic method and the conventional distillation method for the determination of alcohol content % (v/v) in Greek spirit Tsipouro used. A univariate calibration model was constructed employing the band area at 880 cm-1 of standard ethanol solutions. The concentrations of 46 samples were then measured using the calibration model and the results were compared with those obtained using the conventional analysis employing a distillation step. Alcohol content in Greek spirit Tsipouro measured with the conventional method ranged from 35.1 to 71.2 % (v/v). The determination coefficient (R2) value was 0.9997 while the corresponding values of the relative errors ranged between – 13.1 -1.0 %. According to the proposed method the alcohol concentration in Greek spirit Tsipouro ranged from 27.7 to 68.2 % (v/v). The proposed method is simple, rapid, economical and does not require any sample pre-treatment steps. It could be a starting point for the design of more specific models according to the requirements of the spirit industry.
Effect Of Temperature In Color Changes Of Green Vegetables
Authors: Manolopoulou E , Varzakas T
Published: October 2016

The effect of temperature on colour degradation of green vegetables as well as the chlorophyll content as a factor that contributes to colour variation were studied. The studied vegetables were lettuce (leafy) and broccoli (inflorescence). The results suggested that as the storage temperature increases so the chlorophyll degradation rate increases and so the colour degradation. From the two tested vegetables the lettuce was proved to be more sensitive to chlorophyll and colour degradation.
Rheological Studies of Physical Soy Protein Gels
Authors: Labropoulos A.E , Varzakas T. H
Published: October 2016

Many naturally-occuring gels exists in the biological systems such as foods. Because of their biodiversibily and delicate nature, their properties can be used by the food industry to achieve a variety of physicochemical functions. The gel utilized in this study, soy protein isolates (SPI) and concentrates (SPC), all have unique rheological properties which play an important role in their strength function of foods. The objective of this study is to gain insights as to how the rheological properties of these bio-gels are designed to control the gel-strength of these materials. The concentration dependence of dynamic moduli G’ and G” of soy protein isolates (SPI) and soy protein concentrates were studied in solutions prepared under different conditions. Three-level preliminary fractional experiments were undertaken to study effects of temperature, pH, and concentration on the gel-strength of these products. Protein concentration, pH and temperature appear to have an impact on the strength of these bio-gels. An investigation of the viscoelastic behavior of SPI solution at the sol-gel transition point was mainly considered by applying a rheological testing procedure. The data demonstrated a power law frequency dependence of the viscoelastic functions G΄(ω) and n*(ω) at the gel point. At low temperatures and high concentrations we get weaker gel-strengths than at high temperatures and low concentrations. Lowering the concentration and keeping the temperature constant seem to have little effect on the gel strength but points towards to becoming stronger gels.
Suitability of Beer As An Alternative to Classical Fitness Drinks
Authors: Krennhuber Klaus , Kahr Heike , Jäger Alexander
Published: October 2016

During longer physical strains, our body loses water and salts through sweating. This deprivation leads to states of exhaustion and convulsions. A fitness drink should replenish both, water and mineral nutrients (mainly sodium). Different beers, alcoholic, alcohol-free and yeast-clouded, alcohol-free beer were analyzed by HPLC and Ion chromatography to determine the content of mineral salts and carbohydrates. Osmolality as a degree of tonicity was calculated based on the dissolved components. Data was compared to fitness drinks declared as mineral nutrient containing and isotonic. Subsequently, different sodium salts were added to alcohol-free, yeast-clouded beer to reach the EU recommended sodium concentrations of 500 mg L-1. These spiked beers were blind tested for flavor impairments. This study shows that the fitness drinks came close to fulfill the EU direction. Generally, almost all beers are mineral nutrient containing, as defined by Austrian law. Due to the alcohol concentration, none of alcoholic beers are isotonic, as they are hypertonic. Most of the alcohol free beers are within the isotonic range, especially considering dissolved carbon dioxide. After ingestion, it is degassed by the acidic conditions in the stomach, changing many beers to hypotonic in the end. Each beer fulfills the EU recommended carbohydrate content but none comes even close to reaching the required sodium content. The blind tasting of the spiked beers showed minor flavor impairment with sodium carbonate causing the least negative effects on taste and odor. In conclusion, yeast clouded, alcohol-free beer might be labeled as mineral nutrient containing and isotonic, implying to be an ideal sport drink. Due to the lack of sodium, the real benefit of such a beverage could diminish unless mixed with beverages containing high levels of sodium or sodium carbonate.
Cream Zahter: A Functional Food Some Chemical and Sensory Properties
Authors: Hayoglu Ibrahim , Basyigit Bülent , Hayoglu Gülseren , Atasoy A
Published: October 2016

Zahter is a traditional product for breakfast containing seeds of watermelon and melon, roasted chickpea, sesame, thyme, cumin, black cumin, fennel, coriander, anise, bulgur, koruk (dried unripe grape), citric acid, sumac, hot red ground pepper and salt although it varies from one factory to another and rely mainly on small scale home productions. All or some of the above mentioned ingredients are mixed and milled at different ratios and served as powder. It is consumed together with natural olive oil making it more attractive with respect to nourishment and health aspects. The objective of this study obtained a functional product which is ready to spread on bread by mixing olive oil, olive oil-turpentine oil and olive oil-turpentine with zahter. There were three products in different ratios. First the ratio of zahter: olive oil in the emulsion was 69:31. Second the ratio of zahter:olive oil, turpentine oil in the emulsion were 69:20:11. Third The ratio of zahter:olive oil, turpentine in the emulsion were 52:17:31. When compared with simple zahter, antioxidant capacity, phenolic compounds of each combination were higher. Furthermore it is thought that these combinations have has the effect of synergy for fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E,K) because they contain olive oil especially and turpentine oil. According to the results of sensory analysis done, panelists gave the highest score for second emulsion which contained zahter, olive oil and turpentine oil and the lowest score for third emulsion which contained zahter, olive oil and turpentine.
Authenticity Determination of Greek-Cretan Mono-Varietal White and Red Wines Based on their Phenolic Content Using Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Chemometrics
Authors: Basalekou Marianthi , Stratidaki Argiro , Pappas Christos , Tarantilis Petros , Kotseridis Yorgos , Kallithraka Stamatina
Published: October 2016

The assessment of wine authenticity is a critical issue that has gained a lot of interest internationally. A simple and fast method was developed for the varietal classification of Greek wines according to grape cultivar using attenuated total reflectance (ATR) Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The phenolic content and color parameters of wine samples (n=88) made by two white (Vilana and Dafni) and two red (Kotsifali and Mandilari) grape varieties were measured and their FT-IR spectra were recorded. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of their chemical parameters indicated that the wines can be discriminated based on their different phenolic content. The spectroscopic analysis combined with discriminant analysis of the fingerprint region of the spectra (1800-900 cm-1) resulted in complete discrimination of the grape varieties. The proposed method in comparison with the rest analytical methods is simpler, less time consuming, more economical and requires reduced quantities of chemical reagents prior to analysis.
Determination of 2,5-Diketopiperazines Iin Greek Processed Olives by Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry Analysis
Authors: Bratakos Sotirios , Zoumpoulakis Panagiotis , Siapi Eleni , Riganakos Kyriakos , Sinanoglou Vassilia
Published: October 2016

Diketopiperazines (DKPs) are cyclic dipeptides which have been detected in a variety of natural products, especially in thermally treated or fermented foods and beverages, providing a metallic bitter taste. DKPs, mainly due to their characteristic heterocyclic system, have been reported to exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities including antimicrobial, antiviral, antitumor, antihyperglycaemic and antimutagenic. In the present study, several DKPs were identified in seven different Greek varieties of processed olives using HR-LC-MSn. The identification of DKPs in olive samples was achieved by comparison of their retention time and fragmentation pattern with reference DKP standards. The MSn spectra were identical to confirm the presence of specific compounds because their results associate both fragmentation pattern and fragments’ intensity. Nine compounds were found out of a total of 19 standard DKPs. The most prominent diketopiperazine was the cyclo(Phe-Phe) followed by and cyclo(Phe-Pro). Varieties where most DKPs were identified were Kothreiki, Kalamon, Throumpoelies and Helidoni.
Determination of Fat Soluble Vitamins A and E in Infant Formulas by HPLC-DAD
Authors: Katsa Maria , Proestos Charalampos , Komaitis Efstratios
Published: October 2016

A rapid, sensitive and inexpensive method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of fat-soluble vitamins A and E in infant formula (IF) samples. The isolation of fat-soluble vitamins includes a saponification step and an extraction step with petroleum ether. The qualitative and quantitative determination of vitamins was performed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) coupled to Diode Array Detector (DAD). More specifically, method development involved optimization of saponification time, testing of antioxidants, and number of extractions along with the extraction time applied. The method proved to be reliable as results agreed with the sample’s labels and the permitted variation according to the EE law. The relative standard deviation decreased significantly after the optimization (%RSD 1.8 % for retinol and 3.1% for a-tocopherol).
Antioxidant Properties of a Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) Juice Rich in Polyphenols and Nitrites
Authors: Papuc Camelia , Predescu Corina , Nicorescu Valentin , Stefan Georgeta , Nicorescu Isabela
Published: October 2016

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is an herbaceous vegetable used as foodstuff, spice and medicinal plant because it provides antioxidants especially flavonoids (apigenin), vitamins (K, C and A), and volatile oils, among other compounds. Because parsley has important concentrations of nitrates and flavonoids, very little vegetal pigment and a mild flavour profile, it was chosen for this study. The aim of this study was to obtain parsley juice rich in nitrite and polyphenols and to assess its antioxidant activity. To obtain nitrite from nitrate by enzymatic reaction, Staphylococcus xylosus ATCC 29971 was used as nitrate reductase source. To obtain the vegetable juice, fresh roots were minced and homogenized in aqueous solution. The sterile juice was filtered and then inoculated with S. xylosus and incubated at 37°C. The nitrate and nitrite concentrations (mg/L) were determined using a colorimetric method using salicylic acid and Griess reagent, respectively. The total polyphenols content (TPC) was measured with Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and expressed as mg gallic acid equivalent / 100 mL (mg GAE / 100 mL). The total flavonoids content (TFC) was measured with aluminium chloride reagent, and expressed as mg catechin equivalent / 100 mL (mg CE / 100 mL). To determine the antioxidant activity of parsley juice, the ability to reduce DPPH synthetic radical, reducing power of Fe3+ ion and the capacity of chelating transition metal ions were assessed. Maximum concentration of nitrites was achieved for parsley juice in the presence of S. xylosus after 24 hours; TPC was 14.87 mg GAE / 100 mL and TFC was 11.21 mg CE / 100 mL. The ability of parsley fermented juice to reduce DPPH synthetic radical was 79.45%, while the capacity to reduce Fe3+ was 0.758 ± 0.14 (absorbance at 700 nm) and to chelate Fe2+ ion was 23.64%. Parsley juice represents an important source of natural nitrate and flavonoids, with important antioxidant capacity.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Applications In Foods
Authors: Parlak Yeliz , Güzeler Nuray
Published: October 2016

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) is the most powerful technique for determining the structure of organic compounds. NMR techniques are used successfully in various food systems for quality control and research. NMR spectroscopy is used to determine structure of proteins, aminoacid profile, carotenoids, organic acids, lipid fractions, the mobility of the water in foods. NMR spectroscopy is also used to identify and quantify the metabolites in foods. Also vegetable oils, fish oils, fish and meat, milk, cheese, wheat, fruit juices, coffee, green tea, foods such as wine and beer are among the last NMR applications. In addition, NMR spectroscopy is utilized for foodomics which is a new discipline that brings food science and nutritional research together. NMR techniques used for the food authentication are one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques, high resolution liquid state 1H and 13C NMR techniques, N15 and P-31 NMR techniques, 1H HR/MAS (high resolution magic angle spinning) NMR techniques. At this study, usage purposes of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for foods were collected.
Is it possible to predict financial failure with limited data? Ran Logistics Corp. Case
Finansal başarısızlık tahmini kısıtlı veri ile mümkün mü? Lojistik Sektöründen bir örnek: Ran Lojistik Hizmetleri A.Ş
Authors: Karaa İbrahim Emre
Published: October 2016

Young and newly listed firms who bankrupt more likely in 5 years, have limited historical records. Assessing financial failure risks and predicting bankruptcies is essential for investors and creditors to with data that limited to time. In this study, Ran Lojistik Corporation, who realized financial failure, is analyzed by failure risk prediction models and traditional financial methods. We determined the earliest time period of first abnormal signals by examining overall models and methods. According to our findings Altman Z-score predicts failure from the first quarter but does not signal for a specific quarter. Shirata Z-score is not worked to predict, also accounting betas that we estimate do not signal itself but used for overall examination. We obtained the signalled quarters by traditional methods’ examination. Overall, we considered all the methods and models together and determined the appearance of many anomalies is in 2011/6. ÖzetBirçok genç şirket ilk 5 yıl içerisinde iflas noktasına gelmektedir ve borsaya yeni kote olan şirketlerin de halka açık verileri en çok 3 yıl geriye gitmektedir. Bu durum yatırımcılar ve kredi verenlerin kısıtlı veri ile finansal başarısızlık riskinin hesaplanması ve finansal sıkışıklık tahminlemelerini güçleştirmektedir. Çalışmada, finansal başarısızlık yaşamış olan Ran Lojistik AŞ. farklı finansal başarısızlık riski modelleri ve geleneksel yöntemlerle analiz edilerek verilere ilişkin ilk anormal sinyallerin alındığı dönem belirlenmeye çalışılmıştır. Bulgularımıza göre, klasik tahmin modellerinin yanı sıra mali tablolar da analiz edilerek bir değerlendirme yapıldığında iflası işaret eden dönemler belirlenebilmektedir. 2011/6 dönemi birçok anomalinin ortaya çıktığı bir dönem olarak belirlenmiştir.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MARKOV RANDOM FIELD FOR URBAN LAND COVER CLASSIFICATION OF UAV VHIR DATA
Authors: Pratomo Jati , Widiastomo Triyoga
Published: October 2016

The usage of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has grown rapidly in various fields, such as urban planning, search and rescue, and surveillance. Capturing images from UAV has many advantages compared with satellite imagery. For instance, higher spatial resolution and less impact from atmospheric variations can be obtained. However, there are difficulties in classifying urban features, due to the complexity of the urban land covers. The usage of Maximum Likelihood Classification (MLC) has limitations since it is based on the assumption of the normal distribution of pixel values, where, in fact, urban features are not normally distributed. There are advantages in using the Markov Random Field (MRF) for urban land cover classification as it assumes that neighboring pixels have a higher probability to be classified in the same class rather than a different class. This research aimed to determine the impact of the smoothness (λ) and the updating temperature (Tupd) on the accuracy result (κ) in MRF. We used a UAV VHIR sized 587 square meters, with six-centimetre resolution, taken in Bogor Regency, Indonesia. The result showed that the kappa value (κ) increases proportionally with the smoothness (λ) until it reaches the maximum (κ), then the value drops. The usage of higher (Tupd) has resulted in better (κ) although it also led to a higher Standard Deviations (SD). Using the most optimal parameter, MRF resulted in slightly higher (κ) compared with MLC.
ACCURACY ASSESSMENT OF HEIGHTS OBTAINED FROM TOTAL STATION AND LEVEL INSTRUMENT USING TOTAL LEAST SQUARES AND ORDINARY LEAST SQUARES METHODS
Authors: Annan Richard Fiifi , Ziggah Yao Yevenyo , Ayer John , Odutola Christian Amans
Published: October 2016

Spirit levelling has been the traditional means of determining Reduced Levels (RL’s) of points by most surveyors.  The assertion that the level instrument is the best instrument for determining elevations of points needs to be reviewed; this is because technological advancement is making the total station a very reliable tool for determining reduced levels of points. In order to achieve the objective of this research, reduced levels of stations were determined by a spirit level and a total station instrument. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Total Least Squares (TLS) techniques were then applied to adjust the level network. Unlike OLS which considers errors only in the observation matrix, and adjusts observations in order to make the sum of its residuals minimum, TLS considers errors in both the observation matrix and the data matrix, thereby minimising the errors in both matrices. This was evident from the results obtained in this study such that OLS approximated the adjusted reduced levels, which compromises accuracy, whereas the opposite happened in the TLS adjustment results. Therefore, TLS was preferred to OLS and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed on the preferred TLS solution and the RL’s from the total station in order to ascertain how accurate the total station can be relative to the spirit level.