bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Poor, the Unemployed and the Public Worker – A Comparative Essay on National Unemployment Policies Contribution to Deepening Poverty
Authors: Hungler Sara
Published: January 2018

The aim of this article is to discuss the relation between a state’s unemployment and social policies with an eye on rights and duties declared in the European Social Charter and the Revised European Social Charter. First a summary is given to major international human right instruments’ approach to forced labor in connection with public work programs, followed by an introduction to Article 1(2) of the European Social Charter and its interpretation by the European Committee of Social Rights. This section will also give a short comparative analysis on the unemployment policies of selected EU Member States. The second half of the article is dedicated to the past and present of the Hungarian public work program and its critical analysis.
Solicitation of Children for Sexual Purposes: The New Offence in the EU (Under The Directive 2011/92/EU)
Authors: Klimek Libor
Published: January 2018

The article deals with the rules for a grant of interim measures in the context of EU law and its application in national judicial proceedings. It covers the key case-law of the Court of Justice of the EU related to the regime, conditions and limits of the interim measures and adds a reflection of practice of Czech courts. Article pays particular attention to the conditions for suspension ofn the application of national law measures.
Unification of law in the field of family law – roads and dead-end-roads
Authors: Löhnig Martin
Published: January 2018

Article deals with the problem of the harmonisation and unification of the family law in the European Union as the consequence of the building the single European Space. Th e main claim of the author is that a speedy unification of substantive family law, particularly one that is decreed by European institutions, would lead to loss on national and regional legal culture, what accorfing the author can’t be justified. Th e alternative is a close cooperation of individual European cultural groups or neighboring countries and the unification of the conflict of laws provisions and of the law of jurisdiction of the courts as well as by enacting regulations on (mutual) recognition and enforcement of court decision.
Modification du mécanisme de contrôle de la Convention européenne des droits de l’homme a la base du Protocole n° 14
Authors: Šišková Naděžda
Published: January 2018

The article in French is dedicated to the analysis of the latest Protocol to the European Convention of Human Rights. The contribution is focused especially on the evaluation of the effectiveness of the control mechanism of the Convention under the Protocol No 14. It deals, besides others, with the modification of the admission criteria of the application, the creation of the new formations of the Court, the introduction of the new competencies of the Council of Ministers and the changes in the term of office of the judges.
Migration – The Threat or the Chance of Development for the City?
Authors: Sitek Bronisław
Published: January 2018

The article deals with the phenomena of human migration, especially migration from the rural surroundings to the city structures and legal approach to it. Author describes the acknowledgment and legal regulation of the migration into the city structures in ancient world (e.g. in Roman law), deals with the contemporary legal concepts related to this sort of migration in Polish law and evaluate the impact of EU law approach to this question. Finally author pleads against the protective and closing regulations and call for the open approach to the in-city migration flows.
The Use of Internal Audit in Economic Development
Authors: Romaniuk Paweł
Published: January 2018

The functioning of modern public administration must necessarily be related to the audit of its activities. The Polish legal system stands out because of the following criteria, which are made in the supervisory system, namely: the legality, economy, reliability and usefulness.
The European Union Policy of Combating the Drug Turnover
Authors: Sitek Magdalena
Published: January 2018

The article deals with the problem of fighting the drug trafficking and drug abuse within the European Union. It describe the background of the issue and deals with the impact of the abolition of border controls within the Union on the increase and character of the drug turnover. She moreover points on the other negative side-effect, i.e. the increase of criminality caused by the abuse of drugs. Th en she analysis the contemporary legal regulation of the drug trafficking and drug abuse in Poland and within the European Union and compare both regulations. She critically calls for the establishment of the comprehensive common strategy to avoid the negative outcomes of the “free drugs turnover” within the territory of the Union.
The Abuse of Rigts in Tax and Administrative Law
Authors: Radkova Martina
Published: January 2018

Aim of this article is to point out the recent development of the principle of abuse of rights in tax and administrative law. Subject of this article is not abuse of discretion, abuse of rule of law, abuse of power or eventual other abuses. Although abuse of rights is traditionally category of private law, we could observe application of this institute in European public law including the Czech public law.
Surrender vs. Extradition: A Comparison Focused on Innovations of European Arrest Warrant
Authors: Klimek Libor
Published: January 2018

The European Union was aware of unwanted side-effect of the free movement of persons which has been the equally free movement criminals. With regards to Tampere European Council conclusions the traditional extradition procedures were replaced by the surrender procedure within Member States of the European Union. Th e article answers the question how the surrender procedure differs from classic extradition. It deals with the comparison of the surrender procedure and the extradition mechanism focused on innovations of the European arrest warrant. It points out at necessity of simpler and faster procedure in the EU. Further, it focuses on the comparison of the legal basis of both procedures and on procedural issues.
The Rules and Practice of the Investiture Vote in the Czech Republic
Authors: Zbíral Robert
Published: January 2018

Text analyzes in detail legal situation dealing with the Czech government investiture vote. Constitutional foundations are tested against political practice, which is oft en quite different. The Results confirms the construction of investiture vote is less important that notorious weakness of the government majority in the Chamber of Deputies.
Effect of Melissa officinalis capsule on the mental health of female adolescents with premenstrual syndrome: a clinical trial study
Authors: Heydari Naval , Dehghani Mansure , Emamghoreishi Maasumeh , Akbarzadeh Marzieh
Published: January 2018

Introduction

In spite of its importance, the psychological health requirements of adolescents are ignored; due to the occurrence of mental disorders in this age group and also public interest in the use of supplementary and alternative treatments such as herbal drugs for mental disorders, this study was carried out aimed at examining the impact of the Melissa officinalis capsule on the psychological health of female adolescents.

Methodology

In this randomized clinical trial study, 100 female adolescents were assigned to two groups of either drug and placebo groups. The data collection tool includes demographic information recording note and General Health Standard Questionnaire (GHQ). Intervention has been done in the menstrual cycle during 3 successive months and patients received two 600 mg drug daily in the intervention group, and the control group received placebo. After the intervention, the scores of the participants’ psychological health were measured in both groups and data were analyzed through independent t-test using SPSS software version 16.

Results

The study results showed that psychosomatic symptoms score (p < 0.001), anxiety and sleeping disorder (p < 0.001), and social function disorder (p = 0.021) in the experiment group was significantly less than that of the placebo group.

Conclusion

Based on the findings of this study, Melissa officinalis can decrease psychosomatic symptoms, sleeping disorder and anxiety, depression and disorder in social function in female adolescents.
Information content in data sets: A review of methods for interrogation and model comparison
Authors: Banks H. Thomas , Joyner Michele L.
Published: January 2018

In this review we discuss methodology to ascertain the amount of information in given data sets with respect to determination of model parameters with desired levels of uncertainty. We do this in the context of least squares (ordinary, weighted, iterative reweighted weighted or “generalized”, etc.) based inverse problem formulations. The ideas are illustrated with several examples of interest in the biological and environmental sciences.
Photometric Intensity Profiles Analysis for Thick Segment Recognition and Geometric Measures
Authors: Aubry N. , Kerautret B. , Even P. , Debled-Rennesson I.
Published: January 2018

The segmentation or the geometric analysis of specular objects is known as a difficult problem in the computer vision domain. It is also true for the problem of line detection where the specular reflection implies numerous false positive line detection or missing lines located on the dark parts of the object. This limitation reduces its potential use for concrete industrial applications where metallic objects are frequent. In order to overcome this limitation, a new strategy to detect thick segment is proposed. It is not based on the image gradient as usually, but rather exploits the image intensity profile defined inside a parallel strip primitive. Associated to a digital straight segment recognition algorithmwhich is robust to noise, this strategy was implemented to track metallic tubular objects in gray-level images. The efficiency of the proposed method is demonstrated through extensive tests using an actual industrial application. An alternate release intended to overcome the possible impact of the digitization process on the achieved performance is also introduced. Both strategies are discussed at the end of the article.
Hierarchizing graph-based image segmentation algorithms relying on region dissimilarity
Authors: Guimarães Silvio , Kenmochi Yukiko , Cousty Jean , Patrocinio Zenilton , Najman Laurent
Published: January 2018

This article is a first attempt towards a general theory for hierarchizing non-hierarchical image segmentation method depending on a region-dissimilarity parameter which controls the desired level of simpli fication: each level of the hierarchy is “as close as possible” to the result that one would obtain with the non-hierarchical method using the corresponding scale as simplification parameter. The introduction of this hierarchization problem in the form of an optimization problem, as well as the proposed tools to tackle it, is an important contribution of the present article. Indeed, with the hierarchized version of a segmentation method, the user can just select the level in the hierarchy, controlling the desired number of regions or can leverage on any of the tools introduced in hierarchical analysis. The main example investigated in this study is the criterion proposed by Felzenszwalb and Huttenlocher for which we show that the results of the hierarchized version of the segmentation method are better than those of the original one with the added property that it satisfies the strong causality and location principles from scale-sets image analysis. An interesting perspective of thiswork, considering the current trend in computer vision, is obviously, on a specific application, to use learning techniques and train a criterion to choose the correct region.
Representation, Consciousness, and Time
Authors: Allen-Hermanson Sean
Published: January 2018

I criticize Bourget’s intuitive and empirical arguments for thinking that all possible conscious states are underived if intentional. An underived state is one of which it is not the case that it must be realized, at least in part, by intentional states distinct from itself. The intuitive argument depends upon a thought experiment about a subject who exists for only a split second while undergoing a single conscious experience. This, however, trades on an ambiguity in “split second.” Meanwhile, Bourget’s empirical argument is question-begging. My critique also has implications for debates about the essential temporality and unity of consciousness experience, and, phenomenal atomism.
Analytical Solution of Pantograph Equation with Incommensurate Delay
Authors: Patade Jayvant , Bhalekar Sachin
Published: January 2018

Pantograph equation is a delay differential equation (DDE) arising in electrodynamics. This paper studies the pantograph equation with two delays. The existence, uniqueness, stability and convergence results for DDEs are presented. The series solution of the proposed equation is obtained by using Daftardar-Gejji and Jafari method and given in terms of a special function. This new special function has several properties and relations with other functions. Further, we generalize the proposed equation to fractional-order case and obtain its solution.
NanoSQUIDs: Basics & recent advances
Authors: José Martínez-Pérez Maria , Koelle Dieter
Published: January 2018

Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) are one of the most popular devices in superconducting electronics. They combine the Josephson effect with the quantization of magnetic flux in superconductors. This gives rise to one of the most beautiful manifestations of macroscopic quantum coherence in the solid state. In addition, SQUIDs are extremely sensitive sensors allowing us to transduce magnetic flux into measurable electric signals. As a consequence, any physical observable that can be converted into magnetic flux, e.g., current, magnetization, magnetic field or position, becomes easily accessible to SQUID sensors. In the late 1980s it became clear that downsizing the dimensions of SQUIDs to the nanometric scale would encompass an enormous increase of their sensitivity to localized tiny magnetic signals. Indeed, nanoSQUIDs opened the way to the investigation of, e.g., individual magnetic nanoparticles or surface magnetic states with unprecedented sensitivities. The purpose of this chapter is to present a detailed survey of microscopic and nanoscopic SQUID sensors. We will start by discussing the principle of operation of SQUIDs, placing the emphasis on their application as ultrasensitive detectors for small localized magnetic signals. We will continue by reviewing a number of existing devices based on different kinds of Josephson junctions and materials, focusing on their advantages and drawbacks. The last sections are left for applications of nanoSQUIDs in the fields of scanning SQUID microscopy and magnetic particle characterization, placing special stress on the investigation of individual magnetic nanoparticles.
Printing Inks of The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty
Authors: Kim Kang-Jae , Eom Tae-Jin
Published: January 2018

A field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis was carried out to determine the origin of the oriental printing inks used inThe Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, which are a national treasure of the Republic of Korea and listed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. The average diameters of the carbon black found in the printing inks of all the samples were in the range of 30–500 nm. The carbon black diameters of the printing inks in J-Se 68, J-Se 124, and T-Gwang 37 were 80–130 nm, whereas those of the printing inks in J-Seong 1, T-In 46, and T-Heon 4 were larger than 150 nm. It could be concluded that the printing inks in J-Se 68, J-Se 124, and T-Gwang 37 are lampblack ink, and those in J-Seong 1, T-In 46, and T-Heon 4 are charcoal ink. Furthermore, the results of infrared (IR) and principal component analysis (PCA) of printing inks suggest that there was no difference in the binding medium used in the manufacturing process of the charcoal ink stick and the lampblack ink stick.
Optimization of fermentation conditions for efficient ethanol production by Mucor hiemalis
Authors: Esmaeili Hossein , Keikhosro Karimi
Published: January 2018

Background

Mucor hiemalis is a dimorphic fungus that efficiently produces ethanol from different sugars; however, the yield of ethanol production highly depends on the fermentation conditions.

Objective

The conditions for obtaining a high ethanol production yield were optimized in this study.

Materials and methods

A response surface methodology was used to optimize pH, temperature, and time of ethanolic fermentation by M. hiemalis. Additionally, wheat flour was enzymatically hydrolyzed and the hydrolysate solution with high glucose concentration was fermented by the fungus.

Results

The optimum pH, temperature, and time were 5.5, 30°C, and 36 h, respectively. Maximum ethanol and glycerol yields were 0.48 and 0.06 g/g, respectively. The biomass yield was between 0.01 and 0.16 g/g of consumed glucose. The results showed that the fungus was able to produce ethanol in a medium containing 5.5% (v/v) ethanol, while higher ethanol concentration prevented further production of ethanol.

Conclusion

At the optimized conditions, the fungus was able to consume glucose with the concentration of 140 g/L and produce ethanol with a yield of 0.45 g/g, which was comparable to that by Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Alignment and locality in the typology of affixing language games
Authors: Krämer Martin , Vogt Barbara
Published: January 2018

This paper contributes to the discussion around the (extra-)grammatical status of language games (or ludlings). We collected over 60 games which are based on the affixation of a dummy morpheme, which is infixed and iterated in most cases. While some are obviously reduplicative, closer investigation reveals that all the games involving iterativity function like reduplication. Our optimality-theoretic analysis concentrates on the explanation of shape, segmental content, placement and iterativity of the dummy affix and employs only constraints standardly assumed in the literature on reduplication. We show that no ludling-specific constraints or stipulations are necessary to account for this typology and make predictions on limitations that presumably apply to typological variation with regard to language games. Ludlings are thus variations of grammatical constraint rankings.
A new luminescent host material K3GdB6O12: synthesis, crystal structure and luminescent properties activated by Sm3+
Authors: Zhao Dan , Nie Cong-Kui , Tian Ye , Liu Bao-Zhong , Fan Yun-Chang , Zhao Ji
Published: January 2018

A new borate compound K3GdB6O12 has been prepared using a high temperature flux method and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The structure can be described as a three-dimensional framework that is composed of [B5O10]5− groups, K+ ions and Gd3+ ions. In this structure, one crystallographic distinct site is mixed occupied by K and Gd atoms at the molar ratio of 1:1. Furthermore, Sm3+ ion was used as the activator to test primary of K3GdB6O12 to be used as a luminescent host matrix. A series of phosphors K3Gd1−xB6O12:xSm3+ were synthesized by conventional solid-state reaction. The photoluminescence properties and concentration quenching of the prepared phosphors were investigated. The results show that K3Gd1−xB6O12:xSm3+ can be efficiently excited by near-UV light. K3Gd1−xB6O12:xSm3+ might be a promising candidate for visual display and solid-state lighting as an orange emission phosphor.
Reversible hydrogenation of the Zintl phases BaGe and BaSn studied by in situ diffraction
Authors: Auer Henry , Weber Sebastian , Hansen Thomas Christian , Többens Daniel Maria , Kohlmann Holger
Published: January 2018

Hydrogenation products of the Zintl phases AeTt (Ae = alkaline earth; Tt = tetrel) exhibit hydride anions on interstitial sites as well as hydrogen covalently bound to Tt which leads to a reversible hydrogenation at mild conditions. In situ thermal analysis, synchrotron and neutron powder diffraction under hydrogen (deuterium for neutrons) pressure was applied to BaTt (Tt=Ge, Sn). BaTtHy (1<y<1.67, γ-phases) were formed at 5 MPa hydrogen pressure and elevated temperatures (400–450 K). Further heating (500–550 K) leads to a hydrogen release forming the new phases β-BaGeH0.5 (Pnma, a=1319.5(2) pm, b=421.46(2) pm, c=991.54(7) pm) and α-BaSnH0.19 (Cmcm, a=522.72(6) pm, b=1293.6(2) pm, c=463.97(6) pm). Upon cooling the hydrogen rich phases are reformed. Thermal decomposition of γ-BaGeHy under vacuum leads to β-BaGeH0.5 and α-BaGeH0.13 [Cmcm, a=503.09(3) pm, b=1221.5(2) pm, c=427.38(4) pm]. At 500 K the reversible reaction α-BaGeH0.23 (vacuum)⇄β-BaGeH0.5 (0.2 MPa deuterium pressure) is fast and was observed with 10 s time resolution by in situ neutron diffraction. The phases α-BaTtHy show a pronounced phase width (at least 0.09<y<0.36). β-BaGeH0.5 and the γ-phases appear to be line phases. The hydrogen poor (α- and β-) phases show a partial occupation of Ba4 tetrahedra by hydride anions leading to a partial oxidation of polyanions and shortening of Tt–Tt bonds.
Well-Ordering in the Russell–Newman Controversy
Authors: Landini Gregory
Published: January 2018

There is a curious letter of 24 April 1928, reproduced in Russell’s Autobiography. It is from Russell to Max Newman. It is my thesis that there is a crucial “not” missing from the text and interpretations of the letter. This small point, if it is correct, has a very large impact for clarifying how Russell saw Newman’s challenge to his structural realism according to which all of our empirical knowledge in physics concerns structure alone.
Pagrindinio ugdymo Lietuvos mokinių matematinių gebėjimų tyrimas
Authors: Dagienė Valentina , Vinikienė Lina , Sutkutė Elena
Published: January 2018

The assesment of the mathematics achievements of pupils in Lithuanian primary education (lower secondary schools) is a topical issue. The paper deals with Lithuanian standardized math tests for 8th graders and the international PISA survey of 15-year-old students. The survey on investigating the students’ mathematical abilities, together with the factors influencing them, was conducted. Some information on the learning outcomes is provided. We have focused on explaining how standardized mathematical tests are made using the item response theory (IRT). In addition, how the Rasch model is applied to count the results of the PISA survey. The results of the 8th grade standardized tests in mathematics of 2015 and the PISA surveys of 2012, as well as the PISA 2015 mathematical literacy results, are all discussed. Some samples of set of tests are provided and further analyzed.
Intelektinė daugiaagentė mokymosi sistema, naudojanti edukacinių duomenų tyrybą
Authors: Kurilovas Eugenijus , Meleško Jaroslav , Krikun Irina
Published: January 2018

In this paper, we present a methodology for personalizing learning in accordance with the needs of individual students by using an intelligent, multi-agent learning system and data mining. Learning personalization is implemented on the basis of several methods. The Felder and Silverman Learning Styles model is used to create student profiles, and the probabilistic suitability indexes are identified to interlink learning components (i.e., learning objects, learning activities and learning environments) with the learning styles of individual students. Other technologies, which were proposed for creating the learning system, are ontologies, recommender system, intelligent software agents and educational data mining/learning analytics. Personalized learning units are referred to here as learning units composed of the learning components that have the highest probabilistic suitability indexes for particular students. In the paper, first, a systematic review on the application of intelligent software agents in learning is performed using the Clarivate Analytics Web of Science database. Second, we present the methods for personalizing the intelligent technologies of learning application, which are used to create optimized learning units for individual students. The developed student profiles and personalized learning units are further corrected by applying the methods and tools of data mining. The model of an intelligent, multi-agent learning system, based on the application of the aforementioned technologies, is presented in more detail. The principal success factors of the proposed methodology are the pedagogically sound vocabularies of learning components, an expert evaluation of the learning components in terms of their suitability for particular students as well as the application of ontologies, recommender systems, intelligent software agents and data mining.
Apie personalizuotų mokomųjų modulių priimtinumo, naudojamumo ir tinkamumo vertinimo metodologiją
Authors: Kurilovas Eugenijus , Minkevičius Saulius , Kurilova Julija , Vinogradova Irina
Published: January 2018

The aim of this paper is to present the methodology (i.e., the model and method) for evaluating the acceptance, use and suitability of personalized learning units/scenarios for particular students. Learning units/scenarios are referred to here as the methodological sequences of learning components (learning objects, learning activities and the learning environment). High-quality learning units should consist of learning components optimized for particular students in accordance with their personal needs, e.g., learning styles. In the paper, optimized learning units mean learning units composed of the elements having the highest probabilistic suitability indexes for particular students in accordance with the Felder-Silverman learning styles model. The personalized learning unit evaluation methodology, presented in the paper, is based on (1) the well-known principles of the Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis for identifying evaluation criteria; (2) the Educational Technology Acceptance & Satisfaction Model (ETAS-M) based on a well-known Unified Theory on Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model and (3) probabilistic suitability indexes for identifying learning component suitability to the needs of particular students, all in accordance with their learning styles. The methodology for evaluating the acceptance, use and suitability of personalized learning units for particular students, which is presented in the paper, is absolutely new in scientific literature. In the paper, there are also examples of implementing the methodology using different weights of evaluation criteria. This methodology is applicable in real life situations, where teachers have to help students create and apply learning units that are most suitable for their needs and thus to improve education quality and efficiency.
Informacinės sistemos išvystymas elektros energijai taupyti išmaniajame būste
Authors: Dzemydienė Dalė , Žulkas Evaldas
Published: January 2018

Information systems play an important role in smart home management. They collect monitoring data for devices connected to a wireless network (e.g., sensors, lights, thermometers). Such systems are classified as complex modern electronic services management systems that can provide environmental management services in a smart home. However, in order for smart devices to be able to use energy efficiently, additional software modules are needed to make these devices more efficiently used. The purpose of our research work is to develop the functions of the information system, enabling the estimation of electrical energy consumption in the smart housing system and the use of forecasting data for controlling electricity costs.
SCRUM su KANBAN naudojančios organizacijos programų sistemų kūrimo proceso vertinimas
Authors: Pėkis Vaidotas , Peldžius Stasys
Published: January 2018

Seeking for a higher quality of developing products, organizations often look for ways to improve their software development process. Consequently, the probability of winning a contest increases, since projects can be finished faster together with sticking to budget and meeting deadlines. Various models of process assessment can be used to evaluate the development process of a company. Organizations tend to choose them using one or another software development methodology or framework in order to improve the assessment. But in the long-term period, the methodology chosen first often appears to be insufficient in achieving a higher maturity of the process; therefore, this leads to the implementation of additional methodologies. It is critical for the organization to know how a chosen methodology will affect its maturity. This paper investigates how the CMMI-DEV assessment of the development process changes when the organization, using Scrum as the base of its software development process, extends it with Kanban. It was found that an organization combining Scrum together with Kanban would increase the number of fully implemented practices by 75%.
Development of Creative Abilities in Schoolchildren Through Self-cognition Lessons
Authors: Mynbayeva Aigerim , Galimova Nurgul , Akshalova Bakhytkul
Published: January 2018

Self-Cognition lessons at Kazakhstani schools are aimed at the harmonious development of child’s intellectual, spiritual capacity building, and moral empowerment. The purpose of the study is to analyze self- cognition teaching experience for creativity development in schoolchildren and to propose methodological recommendations for improving the learning process at self-cognition lessons. The self-cognition syllabus from the 1st grade through the 11th grade has been reviewed to identify a theme on schoolchildren’s creative development. For the purpose of this paper, content analysis of 5th grade textbook was done. The review showed that Lessons 33-34 are marked as “Creativity Lessons”. Pupils present their creative works from their Portfolios. The methodological framework developed by the researchers included curriculum that involves art- technologies for 5th grade schoolchildren and corresponded to themes from Lesson 17 through 34. 100 5th grade schoolchildren of School 55 in Almaty took part in Stage 1 of the diagnostic study. Assessment of creative abilities was carried out through tests from Zievert (2014) and Rogov (1999). The curriculum was conducted with only one class, which showed the lowest creative ability values versus the four 5th grades (n2 = 24) in the formative stage. After the Art Technology lessons, a high creativity level was demonstrated by a higher number of pupils. With the use of newly developed system, the number of pupils with high and average creativity levels increased.
Retrospective Assessment on Psychological Needs and Need for Help Post-Diagnosis: an Experience with Malaysian Breast Cancer Survivors
Authors: Haidzat A. W. Nur , Zubaidah J. O. , de L. Horne David J. , Aina E. N. , Saleha I. T. Nor , Normala I. , Siti Irma Fadhilah I.
Published: January 2018

Breast cancer is becoming a common health problem among Malaysian women. It is undeniably challenging to face the diagnosis, and almost every person experiences distress at any point in time during the cancer journey. However, there is still a lack of evidence to support the importance of screening for psychological distress during this crucial time. This study involved a retrospective assessment using the Emotion Thermometer scale among twenty-one breast cancer survivors who had experienced breast cancer surgeries. They were asked to recall and rate their own emotional and psychological states and indicate problems faced post-diagnosis. In particular, this study aimed to address the questions if emotional and psychological problems exist, and if patients were in need of further assistance.
Clinical Decision Support for Recognition and Management of Hypertension: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Kharbanda Elyse O. , Asche Steve E. , Sinaiko Alan R. , Ekstrom Heidi L. , Nordin James D. , Sherwood Nancy E. , Fontaine Patricia L. , Dehmer Steven P. , Appana Deepika , O’Connor Patrick
Published: January 2018

OBJECTIVES:

Although blood pressure (BP) is routinely measured in outpatient visits, elevated BP and hypertension are often not recognized. We evaluated whether an electronic health record–linked clinical decision support (CDS) tool could improve the recognition and management of hypertension in adolescents.

METHODS:

We randomly assigned 20 primary care clinics within an integrated care system to CDS or usual care. At intervention sites, the CDS displayed BPs and percentiles, identified incident hypertension on the basis of current or previous BPs, and offered tailored order sets. The recognition of hypertension was identified by an automated review of diagnoses and problem lists and a manual review of clinical notes, antihypertensive medication prescriptions, and diagnostic testing. Generalized linear mixed models were used to test the effect of the intervention.

RESULTS:

Among 31 579 patients 10 to 17 years old with a clinic visit over a 2-year period, 522 (1.7%) had incident hypertension. Within 6 months of meeting criteria, providers recognized hypertension in 54.9% of patients in CDS clinics and 21.3% of patients in usual care (P ≤ .001). Clinical recognition was most often achieved through visit diagnoses or documentation in the clinical note. Within 6 months of developing incident hypertension, 17.1% of CDS subjects were referred to dieticians or weight loss or exercise programs, and 9.4% had additional hypertension workup versus 3.9% and 4.2%, respectively (P = .001 and .046, respectively). Only 1% of patients were prescribed an antihypertensive medication within 6 months of developing hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS:

The CDS had a significant, beneficial effect on the recognition of hypertension, with a moderate increase in guideline-adherent management.
Quantifying the statistical distribution of Tropical Cyclone Activity in the historical record of the Dominican Republic
Authors: Alvarez Ysabel Santo Trinidad , Agredo Cardona Gustavo Adolfo , Rincón David Felipe
Published: January 2018

In this study, we re-examined the Official Hurricane Database from the National Hurricane Center (HURDAT-NHC), an agency associated with NOAA, for tropical cyclone activity from 1851 to 2012for the Dominican Republic on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Basin.  We performed analyses at two different levels for the island (i.e., all of the storm tracks in the Caribbean Basin near to the study area that made landfall and all of the events that crossed the Dominican Republic from a radius of 300 km from the coastline). This study includes the statistical occurrence of these phenomena during the study period and the climatological analysis of all tropical cyclone tracks (112 total events) by decadal seasonal distribution, fifty-year seasonal distribution and monthly seasonal distribution to show the lowest and highest activities. We performed wavelet analysis on the continuous data over a long time series to determine the important frequencies. This analysis provided a general statistical conclusion resulting from the data collected. A landfall probability for the study area corresponding to the long time series of (it’s 162) years within a radius of ~100, ~185 and ~300 km, based on the historical climatology tropical cyclone tracks, reveals the likelihood of a strike for a major or a minor hurricane. We present a review of the tropical cyclone activities that passed the Dominican Republic, which also forms part of the author’s dissertation.
Effect of Nano-Carbon on Water Holding Capacity in a Sandy Soil of the Loess Plateau
Authors: Zhou Beibei , Chen Xiaopeng
Published: January 2018

The poor water retention capacity of sandy soils commonly aggregate soil erosion and ecological environment on the Chinese Loess Plateau. Due to its strong capacity for absorption and large specific surface area, the use of nanocarbon made of coconut shell as a soil amendment that could improve water retention was investigated. Soil column experiments were conducted in which a layer of nanocarbon mixed well with the soil was formed at a depth of 20 cm below the soil surface. Four different nanocarbon contents by weight (0%, 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1%) and five thicknesses of the nanocarbon- soil mixture layer ranging from 1 to 5 cm were considered. Cumulative infiltration and soil water content distributions were determined when water was added to soil columns. Soil Water Characteristic Curves (SWCC) were obtained using the centrifuge method. The principal results showed that the infiltration rate and cumulative infiltration increased with the increases of nanocarbon contents, to the thicknesses of the nano carbon-soil mixture layer. Soil water contents that below the soil-nano carbon layer decreased sharply. Both the Brooks-Corey and van Genuchten models could describe well the SWCC of the disturbed sandy soil with various nano carbon contents. Both the saturated water content (θs), residual water content (θr) and empirical parameter (α) increased with increasing nano carbon content, while the pore-size distribution parameter (n) decreased. The available soil water contents were efficiently increased with the increase in nanocarbon contents.
Философия свободы в романе Дениса Соболева Иерусалим: на пути от отказа к возможному
Authors: Katsman Roman
Published: January 2018

The present paper dwells upon the subject and the conception of freedom in the novel Jerusalem (2005) written by the Russian-Israeli writer, poet and scholar Dennis Sobolev. According to this conception, the fragmentariness of the being serves as the foundation for the search for freedom. This search consists of renunciation of the world of absolute power. The renunciation enables apprehension of freedom as a possibility in the splits between the fragments of the being. In the novel, this search for the real order of freedom beyond the imagined chaos of history unfolds within the symbolic order of Jerusalem – the earthly, political, and mystical city, which is presented through the eyes of seven narrators in seven separate and united stories. Dennis Sobolev’s work thus reveals as a dissipative novel-myth about the disparate attempts to constitute the realistic and skeptical, and at the same time spiritual and playful, ontology.
Арумынский язык в Преспанском регионе (Республика Македония) сегодня
Authors: Конёр Дарья , Макарова Анастасия
Published: January 2018

The aim of the paper is to describe the language situation and the main features of the Aromanian dialect in the Prespa region. The ethnolinguistic group of Aromanians is represented in this region only by one family. Nowadays, this linguistic situation is an example of language death, as the younger generation no longer speaks the Aromanian language whereas the senior generation uses it in limited contexts. The Aromanian speech abounds with multiple examples of interference of Macedonian, which is the dominant language in relation to Aromanian in this situation. The Aromanian language is still used on a daily basis; however, it is spoken only by the senior members of the language community. We suppose that in this situation, there is little chance for the Aromanian language to experience its renaissance in Prespa.
Ономастическая метафора в «Былом и думах» А. И. Герцена
Authors: Воронцов Р. И.
Published: January 2018

The present paper comprises a comprehensive study of the metaphoric use of proper names in a prominent piece of Russian memoirs – My Past and Thoughts by Alexander Herzen. Having been established as a regular semantic phenomenon in the Russian literary language by the middle of the 19th century, the onomastic allusive metaphor was fully accepted by Herzen with the whole spectrum of its conceptual, syntactic, evocative, and cognitive capabilities. Aligned with Herzen’s “explanatory metaphor”, his proper name allusions also play a noticeable part in both structuring the writer’s worldview and in the evolution of the text. Other peculiarities of Herzen’s onomastic allusive metaphor include a wide extension of the corpus of proper names used and the enrichment of their contextual representation. The findings presented in the paper are supported by a thorough analysis of vast linguistic material.
Актуальные процессы современного русского синтаксиса
Authors: Мартьянова И. А.
Published: January 2018

The paper is devoted to the tendencies of syntactic development and functioning of syntactic units in contemporary Russian prose. The recent syntactic processes (reduction of the syntactic relationships, simplification, compression, contamination of syntactic units, integration and disintegration of its components, etc.) are considered in the aspects of language, speech, and text. The author provides a critical analysis of the analytic progress of Russian syntax on the basis of contemporary prosaic discourse (e.g. L. Petrushevskaya, S. Dovlatov, V. Sorokin, V. Makanin, T. Tolstaya, V. Pelevin, S. Bolmat, M. Palei, etc.) and screenplay. Today screenwriting became the main occupation of many Russian authors such as M. Mareeva, A. Mindadze, O. Osetinsky, and others. Contemporary discourse stimulates the development of new syntactic phenomena. The main task is to analyze the qualification of syntactic units (combinations of words, sentences, multicomponent complex statements, syntactic complex, direct speech, etc.) and to make evident the syntactic organization of contemporary Russian prose and screenplay. Syntactic complex is considered as a formed unit of text organization and direct speech is considered as a unique syntactic unit among other types of speech.
Язык и власть: «новый новояз» постсоветского периода
Authors: Hyun Nam Hye
Published: January 2018

Newspeak as a language of political manipulation is an indispensable attribute not only of the Soviet political language (novojaz) but also of the language of politics as such. And in a certain sense, any normal language can contain some elements of newspeak because the regulatory function is peculiar to a language. This paper is dedicated to the continuity of Soviet and post-Soviet political discourse, in particular, the reproduction of rhetorical devices of Soviet novojaz in modern Russian political discourse.
Modelling Lunar Extremes
Authors: Fisher David , Sims Lionel
Published: January 2018

Claims first made over half a century ago that certain prehistoric monuments utilised high-precision alignments on the horizon risings and settings of the Sun and the Moon have recently resurfaced. While archaeoastronomy early on retreated from these claims, as a way to preserve the discipline in an academic boundary dispute, it did so without a rigorous examination of Thom’s concept of a “lunar standstill”. Gough’s uncritical resurrection of Thom’s usage of the term provides a long-overdue opportunity for the discipline to correct this slippage. Gough (2013), in keeping with Thom (1971), claims that certain standing stones and short stone rows point to distant horizon features which allow high-precision alignments on the risings and settings of the Sun and the Moon dating from about 1700 BC. To assist archaeoastronomy in breaking out of its interpretive rut and from “going round in circles” (Ruggles 2011), this paper evaluates the validity of this claim. Through computer modelling, the celestial mechanics of horizon alignments are here explored in their landscape context with a view to testing the very possibility of high-precision alignments to the lunar extremes. It is found that, due to the motion of the Moon on the horizon, only low-precision alignments are feasible, which would seem to indicate that the properties of lunar standstills could not have included high-precision markers for prehistoric megalith builders.
Astronomical Time versus Social Time
Authors: Gautschy Rita
Published: January 2018

The archaeological context of a recently unearthed sundial from the Egyptian Valley of the Kings suggests that the object was used to define the work hours of labourers engaged in building tombs. An analysis of the sundial enables us to establish its precision and the scientific rationale on which the measurement of time is based. This allows us to gain insights into the role of astronomical time in Egypt c. 1200 BC. Administrative texts of the same period found nearby offer additional evidence on the everyday life of the workmen and the importance of social time in regulating their activities. This provides us with a unique opportunity to compare astronomical with social time and ponder the arising implications from the convergence or divergence of the two.
An Exploration of the Role that the Night Sky Plays in the Lives of the Dark Sky Island Community of Sark
Authors: Blair Ada
Published: January 2018

This paper is an exploration of the role the night sky plays in the lives of the Dark Sky Island community of Sark in the Channel Islands, using the qualitative method of intuitive inquiry. The fields of ecopsychology and environmental psychology consider how encounters with nature may be beneficial and transformative, but focus on “green”/grounded nature rather than encounters with the sky, while Dark Sky supporters claim dark skies enhance wellbeing but do not cite any supporting research. This paper explores the following themes: the human desire to see the night sky, the commercialisation of this desire through astronomical tourism, the nature of nature, fear of the dark, and nature and wellbeing. Data was gathered in March 2014 through a series of eight semi-structured interviews and a focus group on Sark, and email comments from three further participants. In addition, relevant entries from the researcher’s reflexive journal kept during the research process are included. Research findings show a high level of enjoyment and value placed on observing the night sky with others and that this facilitates family/community connections and the transmission of sky stories to others; at the same time, findings reveal the widespread belief that observing the night sky spontaneously or intentionally results in positive (and sometimes transformative) feelings, a common experience of the night sky evoking childhood sky memories, a universal fearlessness of the dark, and a sense that as there is often no visible horizon – that there is no differentiation between sky and land and that sky and land appear as one. The paper therefore begins to address the missing sky factor within the fields of ecopsychology, health psychology and environmental psychology. The findings can potentially be used to strengthen the Dark Skies movement’s claims that dark night skies can impact positively on wellbeing.
Editorial
Authors: Henty Liz , Silva Fabio , Brady Bernadette , Gunzburg Darrelyn , Prendergast Frank
Published: January 2018

Editorial: Liz Henty and Fabio Silva with guest editors Bernadette Brady, Darrelyn Gunzburg and Frank Prendergast
Horizon v0.11b
Authors: Smith Andrew G. K.
Published: January 2018

Horizon is a Geographic Information System (GIS) tool designed for archaeoastronomers investigating alignments of prehistoric monuments with astronomical phenomena (for example, rising and setting of the Sun, Moon and stars). It gets its name from its primary function, calculating accurate horizon profiles using Digital Terrain Model/Digital Elevation Model mapping data. More generally, it is a landscape visualisation tool which can generate full 360° panoramic scenes using 3D rendering techniques which may have some applications in the field of landscape archaeology.