bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of potential metabolic biomarkers of rectal cancer and of the effect of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy
Authors: Rodríguez-Tomàs Elisabet , Arenas Meritxell , Gómez Junior , Acosta Johana , Trilla Jordi , López Yolanda , Árquez Miguel , Torres Laura , Araguas Pablo , Hernández-Aguilera Anna , Baiges-Gaya Gerard , Castañé Helena , Camps Jordi , Joven Jorge
Published: April 2021

We report a pilot study on the feasibility of determinations of circulating levels of paraoxonase-1 (PON1) and compounds related to energy metabolism as biomarkers for the evaluation of patients with rectal cancer (RC), and the effects produced by neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (NRCT). We studied 32 patients treated with radiotherapy plus capecitabine concomitant chemotherapy and 48 control subjects. We identified pre-NRCT PON1 and α-ketoglutarate as the parameters that best discriminated between RC patients and the control group. Receiver operating characteristics analysis of the combination of the two parameters showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.918. Moreover, patients who presented a pathological complete response (pCR) to treatment had lower plasma pre-NRCT valine concentrations (AUC of 0.826). Patients who had a relapse had lower concentrations of succinate (AUC of 0.833). The results of the present study illustrate the usefulness of investigating alterations in oxidative stress and metabolism in RC. Due to the small number of patients studied, our results must be considered preliminary, but they suggest that the determination of circulating levels of PON1 and α-ketoglutarate might be a valuable tool for the early diagnosis of RC, while the determination of valine and succinate might effectively predict pCR and the appearance of relapse.
A quasi-experimental study on stethoscopes contamination with multidrug-resistant bacteria: Its role as a vehicle of transmission
Authors: Lee Raeseok , Choi Su-Mi , Jo Sung Jin , Han Songyi , Park Yun Jeong , Choi Min A. , Kong Bo Kyung
Published: April 2021

Stethoscopes have been suggested to be a possible vector of contact transmission. However, only a few studies have focused on the prevalence of contamination by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria and effectiveness of disinfection training to reduce. This study is to investigate the burden of stethoscope contamination with nosocomial pathogens and multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria and to analyze habit changes in disinfection of stethoscopes among healthcare workers (HCWs) before and after education and training. We performed a prospective pre and post quasi-experimental study. A total of 100 HCWs (55 doctors and 45 nurses) were recruited. HCWs were surveyed on their disinfection behavior and stethoscopes were cultured by pressing the diaphragm directly onto a blood agar plate before and after education on disinfection. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was performed to determine the relatedness of carbapenem-resistantEnterobacteriaceae. Most of the stethoscopes were contaminated with microorganisms before and after the intervention (97.9% and 91.5%, respectively). The contamination rate of stethoscopes with nosocomial pathogens before and after education was 20.8% and 19.2%, respectively. Stethoscope disinfection habits improved (55.1%vs31.0%;p<0.001), and the overall bacterial loads of contamination were reduced (median colony-forming units, 15 vs 10;p= 0.019) after the intervention. However, the contamination rate by nosocomial pathogens and MDR bacteria did not decrease significantly. A carbapenemase-producingKlebsiella pneumoniaeisolates from a stethoscope was closely related to isolates from the patients admitted at the same ward where the stethoscope was used. Stethoscopes were contaminated with various nosocomial pathogens including MDR bacteria and might act as a vehicle of MDR bacteria. Continuous, consistent education and training should be provided to HCWs using multifaceted approach to reduce the nosocomial transmission via stethoscopes.
Actives from MMV Open Access Boxes? A suggested way forward
Authors: Samby Kirandeep , Willis Paul A. , Burrows Jeremy N. , Laleu Benoît , Webborn Peter J. H.
Published: April 2021

It is estimated that more than 1 billion people across the world are affected by a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that requires medical intervention. These diseases tend to afflict people in areas with high rates of poverty and cost economies billions of dollars every year. Collaborative drug discovery efforts are required to reduce the burden of these diseases in endemic regions. The release of “Open Access Boxes” is an initiative launched by Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) in collaboration with its partners to catalyze new drug discovery in neglected diseases. These boxes are mainly requested by biology researchers across the globe who may not otherwise have access to compounds to screen nor knowledge of the workflow that needs to be followed after identification of actives from their screening campaigns. Here, we present guidelines on how to move such actives beyond the hit identification stage, to help in capacity strengthening and enable a greater impact of the initiative.
Optimization of entropy encoding using random variations
Authors: Berdondini Andrea
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT:
Why Is Heparin, Despite Being an Anticoagulant, Rarely Associated with Blood Clotting? A Systematic Review
Authors: Nwachukwu Richard , Omorogbe liberty
Published: April 2021

Background

The paradoxical behaviour of heparin as an effective anticoagulant and a promoter of severe fatal rare blood clots involving autoantibodies needs to be understood for prevention purposes. This review explains the rationale behind this behaviour of heparin in such rare cases of blood clot, which is usually followed by its characteristic thrombocytopenia—a phenomenon known as heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT).

Methods

Peer-reviewed scientific literature relating to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia was deconstructed and reconstructed to expose the inductive factors behind the involvement of heparin in severe blood clot and inducement of thrombocytopenia.

Results

Studies show that defective B cells of class B-1 cells and marginal zone B are the key players of HIT, as they fail to confer the autoantibodies they express with the needed protein to distinguish between self and non-self. These corrupt autoantibodies bind to the heparin-PF4 complex, which was identified as one of the autoantigens that induces the expression of the IgG autoantibodies. The molar ratio of heparin to PF4 is a determinant of the immunogenicity and avidity of the autoantibody IgG, which desist from binding to them, but the autoantibodies from the defective B cells move towards these autoantigens to initiate HIT. Defective anticoagulant secreting cells and pre-existing risk factors of blood clots, such as birth hormone pills and SARS-Cov-2, may also contribute to HIT in people who develop some of these defective B cells.

Conclusion

The moderate formation of heparin-PF4 complex is likely an unrecognized part of the healthy mechanism our body uses to trigger IgG autoantibodies and deploy them as a first line of defence during an inflammation. However, due to anomalies in some B-1 cells and marginal zone B cells, this healthy mechanism could result in the inducement of thrombocytopenia.
ESTUDO DE TÉCNICAS DE COORDENAÇÃO DE INTERFERÊNCIA INTER-CELULAR NO DOWNLINK LTE-A PARA REDES HETEROGÊNEAS
Authors: QUEIROZ GABRIEL ANDRADE , da Silva Ederson Rosa
Published: April 2021

A popularização das redes móveis tornou essencial a averiguação da eficácia em lidar com a crescente demanda por requisitos de capacidade de tráfego. A densificação de tais redes proporciona de maneira eficiente uma melhor utilização do espectro, bem como da energia empregada. Contudo, a interferência intercelular permanece um fator limitador à performance do sistema. Este artigo faz uma explicação sucinta sobre as técnicas ICIC aplicadas ao downlink LTE-A visando a redução do impacto da interferência e melhoria da performance. Os resultados alcançados por meio de simulação expõem uma comparação das técnicas eICIC e FeICIC em relação ao cenário sem coordenação de interferência, variando determinadas especificações na topologia de rede.
PROJETO DE UM DISPOSITIVO GATEWAY MODULAR PARA REDES LORAWAN E O DESENVOLVIMENTO DE UM PROTÓTIPO FUNCIONAL
Authors: Tavares Samuel Alves , Vasconcelos Lorenço Santos , Ferreira Neto Ubaldo Elias , Pinheiro Alan Petrônio
Published: April 2021

A quantidade de serviços de telecomunicações e demais áreas que requerem sistemas de IoT (Internet of Things) cresce muito rapidamente e, consequentemente, surge a necessidade de implantação de novas redes de IoT que possam prover infraestrutura para o funcionamento desses serviços. Uma rede com grande potencial e escalabilidade é a LoRaWAN. Nessas redes, os gateways são dispositivos essenciais e responsáveis pela comunicação entre os dispositivos conectados e os servidores de aplicações, mas não há, no mercado, dispositivos com características personalizáveis. Desse modo, este artigo visa o projeto e a implementação de um gateway LoRaWAN que seja modular e versátil e que possa assumir diversas configurações diferentes de acordo com as especificidades dos serviços executados.
DETECÇÃO DE VAZAMENTOS EM REDES DE DISTRIBUIÇÃO DE ÁGUA
Authors: da Silva Alves Debora Cristina Costa , Blesa Joaquim , Duviella Eric
Published: April 2021

A detecção de vazamento em redes de distribuição de água é de suma importância para a manutenção do sistema garantido um melhor funcionamento e economia de água. Esse artigo aborda a proposta de um método de detecção de vazamento baseado na análise de demanda de água. É utilizados dados históricos sem vazamentos para obter os valores mínimos, máximos e e distribuições estatísticas de diferenças (erros) entre o fluxo de demanda. O método proposto se beneficia das bases de sensor fusion para desenvolver uma análise capaz de analisar o fluxo em todas as horas do dia, não apenas durante a noite. É utilizado uma janela de tempo móvel para aumentar a recisão do método. O método é avaliado com dados reais de Distrito de Medição e Controle (DMC) de Barcelona e dados simulados de uma rede hipotética que apresenta a singularidade de 89% do sistema possuir AMRs (Automatic meter reading ) .
SISTEMA PLL DE BAIXO CUSTO PARA BANCADA DE ESTUDOS DE CONVERSORES MONOFÁSICOS CONECTADOS A REDE ELÉTRICA
Authors: Assis José Elias Freitas , Meloni Lucas Frederico Jardim , dos Santos Carlos Renato Borges
Published: April 2021

Este artigo apresenta uma modelagem de pequenos sinais para um inversor monofásico multinível do tipo grampo de ponto neutro (NPC) em ponte completa. Através dessa modelagem será possível representar o comportamento dinâmico linearizado do conversor, com operação PWM analógica, através de um circuito elétrico equivalente. Através da análise deste circuito equivalente, será possível obter funções de transferência para o projeto de sistemas de controle. Serão discutidas todas as etapas de modelagem e também a análise dos circuitos equivalentes para obtenção das funções de transferência.
Technologisches Regieren
Authors: August Vincent
Published: April 2021

Das Netzwerk ist ein Grundbegriff des 21. Jahrhunderts geworden - und mit ihm die Diagnose, dass wir in einem neuen Zeitalter leben, in dem es auf Konnektivität, Flexibilität und Selbstorganisation ankommt. In einer groß angelegten Geschichte des Regierungsdenkens zeichnet Vincent August erstmals diese fundamentale Transformation nach. Er zeigt, dass unsere Welt keineswegs nur durch den Neoliberalismus geprägt wird - und dass die Netzwerk-Gesellschaft nicht einfach ein Resultat des Internets oder von Computern ist. Vielmehr griffen Berater:innen und Intellektuelle wie Foucault, Crozier oder Luhmann auf die Kybernetik zurück, um die Ideenwelt der Souveränität abzulösen und unser Regierungsdenken grundlegend zu verändern. Eine Analyse spätmoderner Gesellschaften kommt ohne eine Analyse dieses Netzwerk-Paradigmas nicht aus.
Erdgeschichte(n) und Entwicklungsromane
Authors: Schär Kathrin
Published: April 2021

Entwicklungsromane und Erdgeschichte(n) entstanden um 1800 im Kontext der Verzeitlichung und sind über den Entwicklungsbegriff miteinander vergleichbar. Wissenspoetologisch analysiert Kathrin Schär teleologische, ateleologische und zyklische Entwicklungsverläufe sowie die Neuverhandlung der Subjektkonstitution durch geologisches Wissen in Cuviers Recherches sur les Ossemens Fossiles, Lyells Principles of Geology, Goethes Wilhelm Meisters Wanderjahre und Stifters Nachsommer. Ihre Untersuchung macht deutlich, wie sehr das geologische Wissen nicht nur die hier explorierten Entwicklungsromane, sondern auch die Ästhetik der Moderne prägte.
Las crisis en el pasado, presente y futuro de las Cumbres Iberoamericanas
Authors: Álvarez-Cascos Gil Inés
Published: April 2021

Desde hace más de 500 años, los países de Iberoamérica comparten una identidad cuya máxima expresión actual son las Cumbres Iberoamericanas. Iniciadas en el año 1991 tras la propuesta española, estas reuniones tienen como finalidad ser un foro de cooperación y diálogo útil para los miembros.

Desde el comienzo, las cumbres han atravesado diferentes crisis causadas principalmente por la aparición de otros foros de integración regional, la falta de participación ciudadana y el papel hegemónico de España. Para solucionar las crisis se optó por la institucionalización (creación de SECIB y SEGIB) y por la elaboración de informes de expertos.

El tiempo ha demostrado que esas soluciones no son efectivas para conseguir que las cumbres tengan sentido en el panorama actual. Por ello, se deben llevar a cabo nuevas reformas que cambien el rumbo y la razón de ser de las reuniones para asegurar su supervivencia.
Orientación normativa en diccionarios monolingües de inglés como lengua extranjera
Authors: Bugueño Miranda Félix , Campos de Borba Laura
Published: April 2021

La orientación en el uso de la lengua es una dimensión inherente al aprendizaje; a pesar de ello, la lingüística anglosajona nunca le ha prestado mayor atención a esta dimensión. Paradojalmente, los diccionarios monolingües de inglés como lengua extranjera se caracterizan por ofrecer una orientación ostensiva. En el marco de un proyecto de un diccionario de dudas para estudiantes de español brasileños, decidimos investigar cómo se realiza la orientación en el uso de la lengua al seno de la tradición de la lexicografía monolingüe de aprendientes de inglés, que representa siempre los mayores avances en materia de enseñanza de lenguas extranjeras. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la clase de orientación que los diccionarios monolingües de inglés como lengua extranjera presentan. Como metodología, establecimos una red de distinciones basada en la oposición entre descripción y prescripción y, subsecuentemente, entre prescribir un uso determinado o prohibirlo. Nuestros resultados demuestran que la lexicografía anglosajona emplea todo este espectro de posibilidades de orientación de una manera particularmente eficiente y multidimensional. Pudimos concluir que la dicotomía descripción-prescripción no se sustenta en la lexicografía monolingüe de aprendientes de inglés como lengua extranjera. En última instancia la búsqueda por orientación obedece a un anhelo del aprendiente.
Validity and Classroom Language Testing: A Practical Approach
Authors: Giraldo Frank D.
Published: April 2021

Validity and validation are common in large-scale language testing. These topics are fundamental because they help stakeholders in testing systems make accurate interpretations of individuals’ language ability and related ensuing decisions. However, there is limited information on validity and validation for classroom language testing, for which interpretations and decisions based on curriculum objectives are paramount, too. In this reflection article, I provide a critical account of these two issues as they are applied in large-scale testing. Next, I use this background to discuss and provide possible applications for classroom language education through a proposed approach for validating classroom language tests. The approach comprises the analyses of curriculum objectives, design of test specifications, analysis of test items, professional design of instruments, statistical calculations, cognitive validation and consequential analyses. I close the article with implications and recommendations for such endeavours and highlight why they are fundamental for high-quality language testing systems in classroom contexts.
Estrategias didácticas para la enseñanza de inglés como lengua extranjera (EFL) dirigidas a estudiantes con trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad (TDAH)
Authors: De la Cruz Gabriela , Ullauri Moreno Magdalena Inés , Freire Jenny
Published: April 2021

La adquisición de un idioma es un proceso complejo, y lo es aún más para estudiantes con Trastorno por Déficit de Atención e Hiperactividad (TDAH), este trabajo propone la detección de estrategias metodológicas para la enseñanza de inglés como lengua extranjera (EFL) a un joven de 14 años con TDAH. El análisis del tema es importante puesto que existe muy poca literatura que lo aborda desde el punto de vista de la Investigación Acción Participativa (IAP) y el estudio de caso. Se entrevista a la maestra de inglés y a la psicóloga de la institución con el fin de conoceren profundidad el contexto y caracterización del estudiante. Posteriormente, durante seis sesiones se aplican estrategias didácticas como aprender sin miedo, organizar el tiempo, visualizar el trabajo, aprender jugando y evaluación de los aprendizajes las cuales influyen positivamente en la enseñanza del inglés a un estudiante con TDAH. Las fichas de observación demuestran que existen cambios en el comportamiento del estudiante después de la intervención, tales como: incremento de la atención, menos interrupciones en clase y mayor autocontrol. Los resultados permiten concluir que la aplicación de estas estrategias ajustadas al caso de estudio promueve la creatividad y la proactividad de un estudiante...
DOKUZUNCU SINIF BİYOLOJİ ÖĞRETİM PROGRAMININ FARKLI LİSE TÜRLERİNDEKİ ETKİLİLİĞİNİN DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ
Authors: AYDIN Fadile , ASLAN Mecit
Published: April 2021

Bu çalışmada dokuzuncu sınıf biyoloji öğretim programının farklı lise türlerindeki etkililiğinin Tyler’ın Hedefe Dayalı Program Değerlendirme Modeline göre değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Karma araştırma yönteminin kullanıldığı araştırmanın nicel boyutunda tek grup ön test-son test deseni kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu, 2018-2019 öğretim yılında Batman ili merkezinde bulunan bir fen lisesi, bir Anadolu lisesi, bir imam hatip lisesi ve bir meslek lisesinde öğrenim gören 317 dokuzuncu sınıf öğrencisi ve bu öğrencilerin derslerine giren 6 biyoloji öğretmeni oluşturmaktadır. Veri toplama aracı olarak başarı testi ve yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu kullanılmıştır. Elde edilen nicel verilerin analizinde betimsel istatistikler, ANOVA, bağımlı gruplar t-testi; nitel verilerin analizi için ise betimsel analiz tekniği kullanılmıştır. Çalışmada öğrencilerin ön-test ve son-test puanları arasında son-test puanları lehine anlamlı bir ilerleme olmasına rağmen fen lisesi hariç, diğer üç lise türünde öğrencilerin çalışma kapsamındaki kazanımların hiçbirine ulaşamadığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.
OSMANLI MAARİFİNDE MUALLİM MOTİVASYONU KAYNAKLARINDAN MAARİF NİŞANI VE FAZİLET MÜKÂFATI
Authors: DOĞAN Ayhan , ÇETİN Sadık
Published: April 2021

Toplumun her alanında olduğu gibi eğitim öğretim hayatında da kişinin harekete geçmesini sağlayan etkenler bulunmaktadır. Bu etkenler genel olarak motivasyon kavramıyla ifade edilmektedir. Türk maarif hayatında teşvik ve terğip olarak ifade edebileceğimiz dışsal motivasyon kaynakları maarif tarihimizde önem verilen konulardan olmuştur. Osmanlı maarif bürokrasisi eğitimin en önemli uygulayıcısı olan muallimlerin teşvik edilmesi amacıyla çıkarmış oldukları maarif nişanları bu konudaki uygulamalara güzel bir örnektir. Diğer bir motivasyon kaynağı olarak fazilet mükâfatı muallimlerin eğitim konusundaki gayretlerini artırma yönünde gerçekleştirilmiş önemli bir düzenlemedir. Bu çalışmada maarif nişanı ve fazilet mükâfatı konusunda çıkarılan nizamname ve vakıfnameler incelenmiş ve öne çıkan örneklere yer verilmiştir.
TÜRKİYE’DEKİ HAVALİMANLARININ PERFORMANSLARININ KÜMELEME VE TOPSIS YÖNTEMLERİYLE DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ
Authors: MERCAN Tülin , ATALAY Muhammet
Published: April 2021

Dünyada olduğu gibi Türkiye’de de havalimanları birçok bakımdan stratejik öneme sahiptir. Stratejik öneme sahip olan bu havalimanlarının performanslarının değerlendirilmesi de önemlidir. Bu çalışmanın amacı Türkiye’de faaliyet gösteren havalimanlarının performanslarının temel havalimanı göstergeleri kullanılarak kümeleme ve TOPSIS yöntemleriyle değerlendirilmesidir. Temel göstergeler olarak iç ve dış hat uçak sayısı, iç ve dış hat yolcu sayısı, iç ve dış hat ticari uçak sayısı ve iç ve dış hat yük miktarı (ton) kriterleri kullanılmıştır. Çalışmada ilk olarak bu kriterler kullanılarak havalimanları hiyerarşik kümeleme yöntemi ile dokuz kümeye ayrılmıştır. Daha sonra uzman görüşü alınarak kriterler ağırlıkları belirlenmiş ve elde edilen kümelerin performansları TOPSIS yöntemi ile değerlendirilmiştir.
DEMOKRAT PARTİNİN İKİNCİ KONGRESİNDE KABUL EDİLEN “MİLLİ TEMİNAT ANDI”NIN İKTİDAR-MUHALEFET İLİŞKİLERİNE ETKİSİ
Authors: KAAN Oğuz
Published: April 2021

Türkiye’nin demokrasi tarihini anlamak için iktidar-muhalefet ilişkileri önemli bir parametre olabilir. İktidar muhalefet ilişkilerini anlayabilmek için parti kongrelerine bakmak önemlidir. Bu çalışmada DP’nin İkinci kongresi ve sonrasından 1950 seçimlerine kadar olan zaman dilimindeki iktidar muhalefet ilişkileri analiz edilecektir. 1949 yılında yapılan DP İkinci Kongresi, iktidar muhalefet ilişkilerinin belli ölçüde yumuşadığı bir ortamda yapılmıştır. Ancak DP, 1946 seçimlerinden sonra yapılan ara seçimlere girmemiştir. DP’nin seçimlere girmeme nedeni Demokrasi ile uyumlu bir Seçim Kanununun yapılmamış olmasıdır. DP İkinci Kongre sonrasında kabul edilen “Milli Teminat Andı”nın en önemli vurgusu demokratik usullere uygun bir Seçim Kanununun yapılmasıdır. DP’nin bu talepleri kısmen kabul edilmiş ve yeni seçim sistemi ile yapılan 1950 seçimlerini DP kazanmış ve 27 yıllık CHP iktidarı sona ermiştir.
VATANDAŞLIK BAĞLAMINDA SURİYELİ SIĞINMACILAR
Authors: ÖNÜR Hıdır
Published: April 2021

Bu çalışmada Suriyeli sığınmacılara vatandaşlık verilmesi konusu teorik olarak sosyolojik açıdan tartışılmıştır. Göç toplumsal bir olgudur. Bu nedenle basit bir nüfus hareketi olarak görülemez. Göç eden insanlar sadece yaşadıkları çevreyi değiştirmez. Aynı zamanda sosyal çevrelerini de değiştirmek durumunda kalırlar. Göç edenler göç yolculuğu süresince açlık, susuzluk gibi sorunlarla karşılaşırlar. Göç esnasında güvenlik ve barınma sorunları ortaya çıkar. Savaş nedeniyle yapılan göçler, normal zamanlarda yapılan göçlerden çok farklıdır. Göç için karar vermekten öte, göç etmek bir zorunluluk halini alır. 2011 yılında Suriye iç savaşının başlaması nedeniyle Suriye’de yaşayan insanların bir kısmı başka ülkelere zorunlu olarak sığınmak zorunda kaldılar ve büyük bir kısmı Türkiye’ye geldi. Türkiye, sınırına gelen bütün Suriyelileri kabul etti. Suriyelilerin önce geçici olarak kalacakları düşünüldü. Aradan geçen zaman içinde kalıcı oldukları görüldü. Bu durumda Suriyeli sığınmacıların Türkiye’ye uyum sağlamaları ihtiyacı ortaya çıktı. Suriyeli göçmenlere Türkiye Cumhuriyeti vatandaşlığı verilmesi, onların kendi ülkelerine dönüş ihtimalini engellemeyecek şekilde çeşitli açılardan tartışılmalıdır.
Students’ attitudes towards digital artefact creation through
collaborative writing: the case of a Spanish for specific purposes
class
Authors: Soulé María Victoria
Published: April 2021

Studies on collaborative writing practices are not new (Reynolds,
Wooley, & Wooley, 1911), neither is the interest in collaborative
writing supported by computers (Sharples, 1993). With the advent of Web 2.0,
there has been an immense increase in research examining web-based
collaborative writing, particularly in L2 contexts (Cho, 2017; Kessler,
2013; Sevilla-Pavón, 2015; Yim & Warschauer, 2017). The present study
follows this research path by analysing perceptions of technology-assisted
collaborative writing as well as collaborative writing processes in a
Spanish for specific purposes class. Eight students from the Cyprus
University of Technology (CUT), Department of Communication and Internet
Studies, participated in the study. The data were elicited over five
collection times, which included two digital artefact creations (an
out-of-class and an in-class collaborative writing task), a
pre-Questionnaire (preQ) and post-Questionnaire (postQ), and a focus group
interview. The analysis of the data revealed that the students’ perceptions
are mediated by task type, which in turn also affects collaborative writing
patterns being the out-of-class activity the one that presents a wider
variety of writing styles as well as a more balanced participation among
students.
The integration of assistive technologies in the SEN EAP classroom: raising awareness
Authors: Charalambous Theodora , Papadima-Sophocleous Salomi , Giannikas Christina Nicole
Published: April 2021

Students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in universities are a challenging issue of much concern. University students often need to attend English for Academic Purposes (EAP) classes to complete their studies, as it is necessary for their academic progress. According to Gathercole, Alloway, Willis, and Adams (2006), SEN students show low levels of working memory performance. Also, they are often diagnosed with poor concentration (Westwood, 2007), spelling difficulties (dysorthographia), and often have trouble understanding and applying phonic decoding principles (Westwood, 2007). When these struggling skills are not catered for properly they are often the cause for SEN EAP students falling behind in their studies as their lessons increase in their level of difficulty. Subsequently, it is important for these students, instead of being part of regular EAP classes where they may not receive the required attention, to be taught in a specialised learning environment with tools that will attend to their needs and facilitate the language learning process. Moreover, with the continuous growth of technology and the systematic training of educators in the use of technology, it has been widely acknowledged that technology can assist and benefit EAP practice in various ways. Based on students’ needs analysis conducted by the instructor at the beginning of the course, the present study investigates the different Assistive Technologies (ATs) used by an SEN EAP instructor in order to support students’ memorisation, concentration, and spelling. Furthermore, it investigates the SEN EAP students’ attitudes towards the specialised EAP process. The aim of the present chapter is to raise awareness in the type of support given to university SEN EAP students with the use of ATs in SEN EAP contexts.
The Experiences and Meanings of Nurses’ Smiles to Patients in the Emergency Department
Authors: Fitriana Vera , Santoso Agus , Dharmana Edi
Published: April 2021

Background: Psycho-emotional aspects play an important role in both health services and health workers in the emergency department. Smiles are forms of interactions between nurses and patients that are given in providing health services to patients in terms of nonverbal communication. However, high workloads in the emergency unit may hinder nurses from smiling. Purpose: This study aimed to explore the experiences and meanings of nurses’ smiles to patients in the emergency department.Methods: This study employed a qualitative design with a descriptive phenomenological approach. Thirteen participants were recruited through purposive sampling using the inclusion criteria, such as emergency nurses with more than three years of work experience and nurses who had attended training on effective communication. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with semi-structured questions and analyzed using the Colaizzi’s phenomenological approach. Results: The study generated four themes, namely, the importance of smiles in emergency services, the miracle of smiles, the hindrances for emergency nurses to smile, and that smiles and humor in an emergency situation are important for children. Conclusion: The study concluded that nurses’ smiles had a significant benefit on emergency department services as a form of interpersonal relationship, although the practice still needs to be improved. Nurses are expected to be able to apply smiles in communicating with patients and their families in the emergency departments.
Effectiveness of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training and Yoga on the Quality of Life in Perimenopausal Women with Urinary Incontinence
Authors: Purba Juliani
Published: April 2021

Background: Urinary incontinence is a symptom of genitourinary disease in perimenopausal women that can seriously affect both physical and mental health and quality of life (QOL). Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) and yoga are the exercises that have been applied to treat urinary incontinence. Research that compares the effect of PFMT and yoga on improving the quality of life of women with urinary incontinence is necessary. Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of PFMT and yoga to improve the QOL in perimenopausal women with urinary incontinence.Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a nonequivalent control group design involving 48 perimenopausal women with all types of urinary incontinence was conducted. The participants were selected by consecutive sampling and equally divided into two groups. Each group was given the PFMT intervention and yoga exercise three times a week for eight weeks. The QOL was assessed using the incontinence impact questionnaire short form (IIQ-7). The data were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, and paired sample t-test.Results: The mean (standard deviation) score of total IIQ-7 in the PFMT group were lower (3.58 [2.57]) than that in the yoga group (5.17 [2.14]; p=0.061). There were differences in IIQ-7 score in the domains of physical activity (p<0.001), social relationships (p<0.001), and traveling (p<0.001) in the PFMT group. In contrast, in the yoga group, differences were found only in the emotional health domain (p=0.039). The IIQ-7 score was better in the PFMT group than in the yoga group.Conclusion: PFMT was as effective as yoga exercise to improve the QOL. PFMT and yoga should be taught to perimenopausal women with urinary incontinence.
Nurses’ Intention to Work during the COVID-19 Outbreak in West Sumatra, Indonesia
Authors: Mailani Fitri , Huriani Emil , Muthia Rahmi , Sarfika Rika
Published: April 2021

Background: Nurses who work on the front-line and are involved in caring for COVID-19 patients have a high risk of transmission. The increase in the number of confirmed and suspected cases, followed by an increase in workload, a limitation of personal protection equipment, a lack of effective treatment, and inadequate emotional support may contribute to the work intention during a pandemic.Purpose: This study aimed to describe nurses’ intention to work and provide care when people may be at risk of the COVID-19 and examine its relating factors. Methods: This was a cross-sectional and survey-based study that collected the respondents' characteristics and the intention to work measurements from 238 nurses in 36 hospitals in West Sumatera, Indonesia. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, T-tests, and ANOVA.Results: The mean and standard deviation scores of nurses’ intention to work during the COVID-19 outbreak were 42.49±5.92. The isolation experience, the presence of authorized beds for COVID-19, and sufficient protection equipment supply, were correlated to the intention to work (p=0.016, p=0.035, p=0.000). Nurse respondents expected that hospital managers should provide more attention to nurses who agreed to attend to work during the COVID-19 outbreak. Conclusion: Nurses showed preserved intention to work during the COVID-19 outbreak. The factors correlated with intention to work were isolation experience, the presence of authorized beds for COVID-19, and protection equipment supply. The government and hospital management should ensure strategies and regulations to provide adequate hospital protective equipment supplies. They should also support compensations to nurses who actively care for patients during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Cerium sulfide pigments
Authors: Pfaff Gerhard
Published: April 2021

Cerium sulfide pigments belong to the inorganic orange and red pigments. They were developed to substitute cadmium and lead containing red and orange colored pigments, in particular in plastics. Cerium(III) sulfide exists in three allotropic modifications, but only γ-Ce2S3, which is colored dark red, is suitable for the use as a pigment. Cerium sulfide pigments are characterized by high color strength, strong hiding power and sufficient thermal stability. Their limited stability in water containing systems and in humid atmospheres is not without problems. The pigments tend to degradation in the presence of water or humidity to form hydrogen sulfide, which limits the application possibilities significantly.
Biological variation and reference change value data for serum copper, zinc and selenium in Turkish adult population
Authors: Bal Ceylan , Erdogan Serpil , Gök Gamze , Nural Cemil , Özbek Betül , Ercan Müjgan , Serdar Muhittin , Erel Özcan
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Calculation of biological variation (BV) components is very important in evaluating whether a test result is clinically significant. The aim of this study is to analyze BV components for copper, zinc and selenium in a cohort of healthy Turkish participants.

Methods

A total of 10 serum samples were collected from each of the 15 healthy individuals (nine female, six male), once a week, during 10 weeks. Copper, zinc and selenium levels were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometer. BV parameters were calculated with the approach suggested by Fraser.

Results

Analytical variation (CVA), within-subject BV (CVI), between-subject BV (CVG) values were 8.4, 7.1 and 4.3 for copper; 4.2, 9.1 and 13.7 for zinc; 7.6, 2.5 and 6.9 for selenium, respectively. Reference change values (RCV) were 30.46, 27.56 and 22.16% for copper, zinc and selenium, respectively. The index of individuality (II) values were 1.65, 0.66 and 0.36 for copper, zinc and selenium, respectively.

Conclusions

According to the results of this study, traditional reference intervals can be used for copper but we do not recommend using it for zinc and selenium. We think that it would be more accurate to use RCV value for zinc and selenium in terms of following significant changes in recurrent results of a patient.
PARTICIPATORY METHODOLOGIES: Grounding the 'Alternative Paradigm'
Authors: Arratia Maria-Inés
Published: April 2021

Based on the work of Paulo Freire and Orlando Fals Borda, a number of non-governmental organizations in Latin America have adopted participatory methodologies as an alternative to previously used models for 'Development'. An important underlying principle of these methodologies is the issue of social transformation. Drawing from recently completed fieldwork in Northern Chile, this paper presents a view of these practices on the ground, and brings the relationship between theory and practice into focus.
Ancient DNA: a review of its past, present and future potential in archaeology
Authors: Gibbs Linda M.
Published: April 2021

This paper provides an extensive review of past and current research involving the biomolecular analysis of nucleic acids. In particular, it focuses on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ancient DNA that can be recovered from historic and prehistoric human skeletal remains and other archaeological material remains. It also critically assesses the problems that any investigation of ancient DNA poses and points to specific areas for future investigation.
ABO Blood Groups and Cholera: An Investigation of an Infectious Disease as an Agent of Natural Selection.
Authors: Abonyi Sylvia
Published: April 2021

In a 1949 landmark paper Haldane proposed that infectious diseases may act as agents of natural selection. Apart from the well-established link between sickle-cell anaemia and malaria, direct evidence for the selective effect of infectious disease is scarce. There is some evidence to suggest that blood group O individuals may be more susceptible than individuals from other blood groups to life-threatening cholera infections. Cholera is endemic to the Ganges River Delta in India, a region whose current population appears to represent the lowest global frequency of the 0 allele. Using a model proposed by Svanborg-Eden and Levin (1991) as the framework of investigation, this paper evaluates the evidence for cholera operating as an agent of natural selection in the Ganges River Delta. This model proposes a series of six conditions that must be met in order to accept an infectious disease-mediated selective effect. All six conditions could not be satisfied by the existing evidence, and it is therefore concluded that cholera cannot be accepted as further evidence of infectious diseases acting as agents of natural selection in human populations.
Paget's Disease: Another Paramyxovirus in the Archaeological Record
Authors: Yvette Gorczynski Laura
Published: April 2021

The etiology of many human diseases remain unknown. There is often a tendency to imagine that insight into this area can only come from systematic scientific investigation into contemporary societies. However, there is often a wealth of data available in more distant records, including palaeopathological evidence, which, if considered in a critical manner, may provide clues not accessible in any other way. An example of this line of reasoning is provided in the discussion below, with particular reference to a disease of bone mineralization called Paget's disease. While there are a number of known causes of defects in bone mineralization, contemporary thought speculates that this particular disorder may be associated with chronic infection caused by a virus related to the paramyxovirus family. Palaeopathology, it will be argued, can provide an extraordinarily powerful tool, making testable predictions which may help resolve the issue of the possible infectious etiology of this disorder in a manner not easily approachable by other means. The value of this approach, in comparison with more (modern) sophisticated technologies such as probing for evidence of DNA sequences in Paget's bone with homology to paramyxovirus DNA sequences, is also considered.
The Impact of Commodification of Herbal Medicine by Pharmaceutical and Drug Development Companies
Authors: Taylor Andrew
Published: April 2021

The issue of commodification of herbal medicines is large and complex. A brief background of herbal medicine is given. This paper then addresses several negative and positive implications for varying groups within and between societies resulting from increased interest and use of herbal medicines. Women's issues are addressed from empowerment in Western societies to the disempowerment of Non-Western women who use medicinal knowledge as a source of power. The dilemmas facing indigenous practitioners are discussed with focus on cultural and intellectual property. Environmental conservation and protection are covered, focusing on discovery, harvesting and preparation. Reflection on biomedical concerns and changes as well as its dominance over other medical systems also occurs. The Anthropologist's role is revealed within assessing programs and initiatives, consultation and advocacy for the issues that may result from commodification. Medicinal plants could therefore be a developmental tool for industrialized and indigenous cultures if done correctly with a high amount of indigenous consultation and compensation.
Indigenous Knowledge and Ethics
Authors: Scarangella Linda
Published: April 2021

Academics, corporations, and government agencies have begun to take greater interest in conducting Indigenous Knowledge (lK) research in response to environmental issues and failures of "development projects." Indigenous scholars and communities, however, are concerned about how these research projects may affect their communities and goals towards autonomy. In order to protect their IK and minimize the possibility for misrepresentation and/or misuse, some communities insist on equal control and participation in the entire research project. This article examines the debates surrounding the definition and use of lK. I then explore a research framework based on "relationships" as one possible model that may address indigenous concerns about control, authorship, ownership, and benefits. I discuss two variations of a relationship model: one based on "reciprocity,'" the other on "covenants." I conclude that a collaborative relationship research model complements indigenous expectations and conceptions of research and begins to address indigenous concerns.
Sicilian Recreation Clubs: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Authors: Migliore Sam
Published: April 2021

In order to examine whether ethnic associations can help immigrants maintain their cultural identity, while adjusting to the new soical environment, field work was conducted at a specific Sicilian-Canadian association. This paper suggests that the association does, directly or indirectly, fulfill both functions. Various examples are provided, and briefly discussed, to illustrate this point.
Creative Performance and Social Change: The Hawaiian Cultural Revolution As Dramatic Transformation
Authors: Scaletta N
Published: April 2021

The dynamics of social change is to a large extent problematic in anthropological theory, particularly within the context of the Hawaiian cultural revolution, for here social change was rapidly accomplished in a short period of time. The Hawaiian cultural revolution has been utilized as a special case whereby macro-level theories of social change have been tested. By using Cohen's notion of creative performance as dramatic transformation and Turner's social drama as analytic framework, this paper located the dynamics of social change at the micro-level i.e., in the purposeful activity of individuals.
It’s all about Cinderella – and the Prince?: Women’s NGOs in Bulgaria
Authors: Kennedy Christine
Published: April 2021

The fall of socialist regimes in Eastern Europe in 1989 and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 generated fundamental political and socio-economic transformations. The introduction of the free-market economy in the region led to the closure or privatization of state corporations and, consequently, to an increase of the unemployment rate, while reductions of state funding for social services resulted in the erosion of former securities. Simultaneously, Western and international agencies and organisations have transferred billions of US dollars of financial aid into the region. Among the receivers of Western funding were Eastern European non-governmental organisations (NGOs) aiming to support local women through the transformations and to advocate their rights. Several authors, however, have pointed out that many of them pursue what they and/or their Western donors think is best for women rather than focusing on what women themselves consider their needs and wishes. This paper critically reviews two Bulgarian women’s NGOs, including a discussion of their representations of women, the influence of Western donors, and the issue of who benefits from the NGOs’ work. I argue that both NGOs, although they claim to advocate equal opportunities for women and men, pursue a ‘women-only’ approach by ignoring gender relations – an issue that is also largely overlooked by the critics presented in this paper. I conclude that NGOs, if they want to assist and support local women, ought to implement a ‘women-and-men-together’ approach, consider what women themselves view as their needs, and challenge neoliberalism.
Counterfeit Antimalarials and the Commodification of Health
Authors: Marciniak Stephanie
Published: April 2021

Counterfeit and substandard medicines are a persistent threat to the global control and eradication of infectious diseases. The issue is particularly acute in developing countries due to the lack of local and international pharmaceutical surveillance networks that ultimately enables this industry to thrive . In this context, the inability to fulfill the fundamental right of individuals to access life-saving essential medicines is a critical public health challenge. Accordingly, this paper analyzes the crisis of counterfeit and substandard antimalarials in sub-Saharan Africa through a multidimensional framework. Of primary importance is the vulnerability of healthcare systems to market-driven forces which facilitates the emergence and sustainability of barriers in the access to high-quality antimalarials. Consequently, the proliferation of the informal drug market is contextualized by the dire need for affordable malaria treatment and cultural perceptions of the quality of care from formal sectors (e.g., clinics, hospitals). The impact of counterfeit antimalarials cannot be understated, ranging from increased morbidity, such as adverse effects from substandard product ingredients, to heightening the resistance of populations to the final line of antimalarial treatment (artemisinin-combination therapy). The ability of international humanitarian organizations and various levels of government to combat the issue of counterfeit medicines remains a daunting task, as the right to health has become a commodity.
Fire modified rock illuminated: Rediscovering the applications of hearth assemblages in site analyses
Authors: Kneifel Rebekah Renee
Published: April 2021

Limited fire modified rock research has prevented archaeologists from analyzing sites to their full capacity. The level of burning, discoloration and fragmentation of fire modified rock can reflect the artifact’s life stage while assemblage context may indicate function. The four main cooking functions of fire modified rock are distinguished as boiling, steaming, roasting, and baking (Thoms 2008), which all have similar effects on heated stones as they are utilized during the cooking processes. Schiffer’s (1972) artifact life cycle model is reviewed according to its application to cooking stone, after which a use-wear model for fire modified rock is presented. The physical attributes of fire modified rock are proposed to separate the tool into three use-wear levels under Schiffer’s use stage of the consumption life cycle. Then, further explorations in this field of research are proposed, as any advancement in fire modified rock research could enhance our understanding how past humans utilized the landscape.
A McMaster retrospective: how publishing in a student journal shaped my career
Authors: Morris Alan
Published: April 2021

Alan G. Morris is Professor in the Department of Human Biology at the University of Cape Town.  A Canadian by birth and upbringing, Professor Morris is also a naturalised South African.  He has an undergraduate degree in Biology from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo Ontario, and a PhD in Anatomy from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.  Professor Morris has published extensively on the origin of anatomically modern humans, and the Later Stone Age, Iron Age and Historic populations of Kenya, Malawi, Namibia and South Africa. In more recent years he has extended his skeletal biology knowledge to the field of forensic anthropology.  Professor Morris’ book ‘Missing and Murdered’ was the winner of the WW Howells Prize for 2013 from the American Anthropological Association.  He has an additional interest in South African history and has published on the history of race classification, the history of physical anthropology in South Africa and on the Canadian involvement in the Anglo-Boer War. Professor Morris was selected as a visiting Fulbright Scholar in 2012-2013 and spent 9 months at The Ohio State University where he worked with American scholars on the ‘Global History of Health’ project.  He is a council member of the Van Riebeeck Society for the Publication of Southern African Historical Documents, an associate editor of the South African Journal of Science and an elected member of the Academy of Science of South Africa.