bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Рождаемость в семьях мигрантов: данные, гипотезы, модели (обзор зарубежных исследований)
Authors: Казенин Константин Игоревич
Published: May 2018

Исследованиям рождаемости среди мигрантов в последние десятилетия в демографии уделяется немало внимания. Это связано прежде всего с ростом мировой миграции, обеспечивающим данной научной проблематике немалую практическую актуальность в связи с задачами демографического прогнозирования. Одновременно тема рождаемости мигрантов приобретает все больший междисциплинарный теоретический интерес, поскольку она имеет отношения к таким важным для современных социальных наук явлениям, как взаимодействие культур, трансформация поведенческих норм и др.

В отечественной науке тема рождаемости мигрантов до сих пор остается достаточно периферийной (несмотря на богатство эмпирического материала по данной теме, доступного для исследований в России). Цель настоящего обзора – первоначальное систематическое знакомство с литературой, посвященной рождаемости среди тех, кто совершил миграцию, и среди их детей.

Обзор состоит из трех частей. В первой части представлены основные имеющиеся гипотезы о влиянии миграции на рождаемость, в наиболее общем виде обсуждаются возможности их проверки, а также их общетеоретический контекст. Во второй части рассматриваются особенности применения количественных методов и методов статистического моделирования для исследования рождаемости среди мигрантов. В третьей части представлены избранные исследования по рождаемости мигрантов в отдельных странах, дающие представление о разнообразии динамики рождаемости в переселенческих сообществах.
Демографический переход и гипотеза гиперболического роста населения
Authors: Вишневский Анатолий Григорьевич
Published: May 2018

В статье анализируется трактовка демографического перехода сторонниками гипотезы гиперболического роста населения. Автор приходит к выводу, что за последние два-три десятилетия в работах ряда российских и некоторых зарубежных авторов, разделяющих эту гипотезу, получила развитие система представлений о закономерностях демографического развития и о демографическом переходе как современном этапе этого развития, альтернативная общепринятой. Задача статьи заключается не столько в том, чтобы выразить несогласие с предложенной альтернативой, сколько в том, чтобы показать отличие содержащихся в ней подходов и их следствий от уже сложившихся представлений. В то же время автор выражает критическое отношение к ряду постулатов, на которых основывается гипотеза гиперболического закона, прежде всего к лежащему в ее основе постулату самодостаточности демографического роста и его независимости от внешних условий.
Brugia Malay transfection v1
Authors: Mhashlikar Amruta , Liu Canhui , Unnasch Thomas
Published: May 2018

This protocol describes how to transfect Brugia malayi larvae
TRIS buffer v1
Authors: M Monteith Katy
Published: May 2018

This protocol describes how to make TRIS buffer (TRIS-HCl) at a 1M concentration and a pH 8.0
EFFECT OF HIGH AIR AND SOIL TEMPERATURE ON YIELD AND SOME YIELD COMPONENTS OF PEANUT (Arachis hypogaea L.)
Authors: GULLUOGLU Leyla , ARIOGLU Halis , BAKAL Halil , ONAT Bihter
Published: May 2018

This research was conducted as a main crop in University of Cukurova, Faculty of Agriculture Field Crops Department in 2016 and 2017 growing seasons. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of high air and soil temperature on pod yield and some yield component of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) breeding lines in main crop growing season in Mediterranean region in Turkey. In this study, 22 peanut lines (F6 and F7) belonging to Brantley x Halisbey crossing and NC-7 variety (st) were used as a plant material. The experimental design was a Randomized Complete Block with three replications. The main yield component such as pod number, pod weight, 100-seed weight, and pod yield per hectare values of lines were investigated. The maximum air temperature data was recorded day by day during the growing period in both years and average daily maximum air temperatures were higher in 2017 than in 2016. When the pod yield compared in 2016 and 2017, it is found that the pod yield was lower (21.5%) in 2017 than in 2016. The high air and soil temperature was negatively affected the pod yield of peanut breeding lines. It was found that the breeding lines differ in their sensitivity to high temperatures.
FRANSIZ FRAISSINET VAPUR KUMPANYASI (LA COMPAGNIE FRAISSINET) VE OSMANLI LİMANLARINDAKİ FAALİYETLERİ
Authors: UYGUN Süleyman
Published: May 2018

Fraissinet Kumpanyası, Osmanlı liman kentlerinde ve dünya sularında

Fransız yayılmacılığı ve sömürgeciliğinin gelişmesinde önemli bir yere

sahiptir. Osmanlı sularında faaliyet gösteren en etkin üç Fransız

kumpanyasından birisidir. 1863 yılından itibaren bir yandan Marsilya ile

İskenderiye ve Suriye sahilleri, diğer yandan İzmir, Selanik ve İstanbul’a

düzenli seferler kurarak, Fransız sermayesinin bu liman kentlerine yayılmasında

önemli bir rol oynamıştır. 1878’den itibaren faaliyet ağını Karadeniz ve Aşağı Tuna

liman kentlerine kadar genişletmiştir. Özellikle Marsilya ile Aşağı Tuna liman

kentleri arasındaki taşımacılığı tekeline almıştır. Bir dönem (1890-1914) Aşağı

Tuna’da vapur nakliyatı denilince akla gelen tek Fransız şirketi Fraissinet

Kumpanyası olmuştur. Bu çalışmada Fraissinet Kumpanyası’nın kuruluş süreci ve

Osmanlı sularındaki faaliyetleri ele alınmaya çalışılmıştır. 
ARRIANUS’UN “ARRIANI PERIPLUS PONTI EUXINI / ARRIANUS’UN KARADENİZ SEYAHATİ” ADLI ESERİNE GÖRE DOĞU KARADENİZ BÖLGESİ’NDEKİ KÜÇÜK LİMANLAR
Authors: İNAN Fatih
Published: May 2018

Antik edebi kaynaklarda, Hellenistik ve Roma dönemlerinde Ordu ilinden

Gürcistan sınırına kadar uzanan Doğu Karadeniz kıyılarında Boon (Perşembe),

Zephyrion (Zefre), Kordyle (Akçakale), Hermonassa (Akçaabat), Hyssos (Araklı),

Athenai (Pazar) ve Apsarros (Gonio) olmak üzere yedi önemli antik küçük

limandan söz edilmiştir. Bu limanlar dışında aynı bölgede Trapezous ve Phasis

adında iki büyük liman bulunmaktadır. Stratejik konumları ve iç bölgelere

ulaşan antik kara yollarının başında bulunmalarından dolayı Trapezous ve Phasis

limanları küçük limanlara göre daha büyük potansiyellere sahipti. Dağların

kıyıya paralel uzandığı ve sığınılacak adanın hiç olmadığı Doğu Karadeniz

Bölgesi’nin coğrafyası göz önüne alındığında bu limanlar gerek ticari, gerekse

askerî aktivitelerde bölgede faaliyet gösteren halklar için hayati öneme sahip

olmuştur. Bu çalışma, MS II. yüzyılda bölgeyi ziyaret eden Arrianus’un eseri

temel alınarak ve tespit edilen diğer antik kaynaklardan da faydalanarak Doğu

Karadeniz Bölgesi’ndeki küçük limanların Klasik, Hellenistik ve Roma

dönemlerinde nasıl anlatıldıklarını ve hangi özelliklere sahip olduklarını

incelemeyi amaçlanmaktadır.
1897 TÜRK-YUNAN HARBİ’NDE TRABZON REDİF TABURLARI
Authors: KÖKSAL Ahmet
Published: May 2018

Bağımsızlığını kazanmasının ardından Yunanistan’ın bitmek bilmeyen

genişleme arzusu dolayısıyla, Osmanlı tebaası Rumları devlete karşı sürekli

kışkırtmaktaydı. Alınan tedbirlerin isyanları bastırmaya yeterli olmaması ve

Yunanistan’ın da geri adım atmaması 1897 yılında Türk-Yunan Harbi’ni getirdi.

Savaş için Osmanlı seferberliği ilan edildiğinde ordunun büyük bir bölümü redif

taburlarından teşkil edilmişti ve bu taburların içerisinde Trabzon taburları da

mevcuttu. Samsun, Ordu, Ünye, Fatsa, Tirebolu, Görele, Giresun, Büyükliman,

Trabzon, Sürmene, Maçka, Of, Rize, Mapavri, Arhavi, Gümüşhane taburlarının

bulunduğu redif kuvvetleri savaşta gösterdikleri cesaret ve yararlılıkları ile

ön plana çıkmıştı. Taburların dönüşlerinde ise vilayette büyük bir sevinç

yaşanmış, dönemin anlayışının sembolik izlerini taşıyan geniş çaplı karşılama

merasimleri yapılmıştı.

Bu çalışma Trabzon Redif Taburlarının 1897 Türk-Yunan Harbi’ndeki rolleri,

kayıpları ve dönüş merasimlerini konu edinmektedir. Çalışmada da arşiv

belgeleri yanında, vilayet gazetesi, dönem kaynakları ve araştırma eserleri

çerçevesinde Trabzon Redif Taburlarının Yunan Harbi’ndeki işlevi ve karşılanma

mera-simlerinin sembolik anlamı üzerinde durulmaktadır.
ŞAHABEDDİN UZUNKAYA: SEYİD VAKKAS ROMANI
Authors: TÜRK Hatem
Published: May 2018

Tarihi romanlar, konularını geçmişten alarak gelecek nesillere birtakım

iletiler sunmayı amaçlar. Bu, insanların kendini iyi hissetmesine ve aidiyet

duygusu geliştirmesine yardımcı olur. Gazeteci ve yazar Şahabeddin Uzunkaya,

uzun süre ulusal basının önemli kademelerinde bulunmuş, Türk siyaset, kültür ve

edebiyatının üst düzey isimleriyle birlikte çalışmıştır. Cumhuriyet gazetesinin

Karadeniz temsilciliğini de yapan Şahabeddin Uzunkaya, Giresun ve Samsun basını

için de önemli bir isim olmuştur. Giresun’da yarım asır gazetecilik yapan

Uzunkaya’nın ayrıca dört romanı vardır. Popüler romanlarının yanında Seyid

Vakkas romanı Giresun tarihine ışık tuttuğu gibi şehrin manevi mimarlarını da

kurgusal çerçevede ele almaktadır. Bu çalışmada kısaca roman ve tarih ilişkisi

üzerinde durulmuştur. Şahabeddin Uzunkaya’nın kısa biyografisi verildikten

sonra kitabın tanıtımı yapılmıştır. Romanın olay örgüsü, zaman, mekân,

anlatıcı, şahıslar gibi unsurları ayrı ayrı ele alınmıştır. Sonuç bölümüyle

genel bir değerlendirme yapılmıştır. Romandaki olayların ya da kişilerin tarihi

bilgilerle karşılaştırılması, dipnotlarla yapılmaya çalışılmıştır. Gazeteci

dili ve dikkatiyle oluşturulan bu tarihi romanın halk anlatılarından beslenerek

yazıldığı anlaşılmaktadır.  
FOSTERING AUTONOMOUS LEARNERS OF VOCABULARY ACQUISITION USING CONTENT-BASED ICT METHODS
Authors: Matsubara Mariko , Yoshida Haruyo
Published: May 2018

Purpose: This paper investigated that (1) the effective use of content-based ICT methods of vocabulary acquisition through reading activities, and (2) the encouragement of learner's vocabulary building up autonomous learning. A considerable number of studies have been conducted on vocabulary acquisition in the EFL field in Japan,and researchers advocate vocabulary knowledge is the most important factor contributing to reading comprehension, yet, a firm effective pedagogy has not been established. In fact, university students encounter difficulties in reading comprehension because of their deficiencies in vocabulary knowledge during English reading class.

Methodology: The free applications, Quizlet and Kahoot!, were adopted to incorporate language-focused learning while adding some gamification aspects to aid in vocabulary acquisition. The experiment was conducted in a Japanese undergraduate first-year reading class over an 11-week period. Quizlet was used for vocabulary learning prior to the reading class. Students were given multiple-choice vocabulary Cloze tests of new words from the textbook using Kahoot!, a free game-based educational platform.

Main Findings: The results of this study indicated that content-based vocabulary instruction using ICT is effective and improves learner’s academic performance in vocabulary acquisition. Moreover, questionnaires were thoroughly reviewed and uncovered that students felt they developed more autonomy and this enhanced their motivation for vocabulary learning.

Implications: In view of this study, ICT methods closely related to reading contexts and a variety of applications for vocabulary acquisition and improvement of reading performance should be introduced in EFL classrooms.

Originality: This study was conducted in a Japanese undergraduate first-year reading class by author researcher.
El desarrollo humano sostenible y la educación para el sector agropecuario
Authors: Álvarez Ochoa Claudia Patricia
Published: May 2018

Cada día es más evidente la necesidad de replantear el paradigma de modelo de desarrollo que siguen las naciones, así como el concepto de bienestar y su significado para los hombres. El modelo del Plan para las Naciones Unidas (PNUD) se propone como alternativa que gira en torno al hombre como eje del desarrollo y no como medio para alcanzarlo. Aunque debatido y no muy aceptado, principalmente por algunas de las potencias mundiales, es claro que debe promulgarse un sistema en el que los seres humanos logren alcanzar la igualdad y se contrarreste la cada vez más marcada diferencia entre ricos y pobres. Este artículo pretende hacer una reflexión desde el modelo alternativo de desarrollo, sobre unos lineamientos para la educación, en el sector agropecuario de tal modo que se contribuya, en el caso de la Universidad de La Salle, a la formación de profesionales que promuevan esquemas de desarrollo para el sector agropecuario mucho más justos y que no atenten contra el medio ambiente.
La demanda de trabajo: teoría y evidencia empírica para el caso colombiano
Authors: Isaza Castro Jairo Guillermo , Meza Carvajalino Carlos Arturo
Published: May 2018

Este documento presenta algunos de los aspectos teóricos más importantes para el análisis de la demanda de trabajo, así como la evidencia empírica disponible para el caso colombiano. En cuanto a los aspectos teóricos, la exposición se centra en la discusión microeonómica concerniente a las propiedades de la demanda de trabajo del empresario maximizador debeneficios que enfrenta un proceso productivo con dos factores: capital y trabajo. Luego se discuten las implicaciones de los procesos de liberalización y reformas estructurales en la demanda de trabajo. La revisión de literatura efectuada para el caso colombiano muestra cómo, en general, los estimativos de elasticidades de la demanda por trabajadores frente al producto y el salario real difieren sustancialmente debido a la diversidad de especificaciones econométricas, la temporalidad de los datos y las fuentes de los mismos.
Una propuesta metodológica para el dictamen del balance de la nación
Authors: Prieto Durán Rafael
Published: May 2018

En este artículo se realiza una propuesta metodológica para la elaboración del informe o dictamen del Balance de la Nación. Dicho balance es el informe que se debe presentar sobre la gestión fiscal de las entidades o personas que manejen fondos públicos y su elaboración es función del Contralor General de la República. El enfoque metodológico planteado, difiere de la auditoría tradicional de los estados financieros por cuanto la Constitución Política de Colombia establece que el control Fiscal debe tener en consideración los criterios de eficiencia, eficacia, economía, equidad y valoración de los costos ambientales y estos criterios deberían ser objeto de inclusión en el informe y dictamen del Balance de la Nación.
Does Finance Industry Lead Real Economic Activities? Analysis of Industry Networks
Authors: Kim Yong-Cheol , Oh Gabjin
Published: May 2018

The analysis of network of 30 US industries shows the leading role of finance industry. Following are major findings and observations: 1) we show that leading industry in economy changes over time as the U.S. industry structure changes over time. Finance industry plays a leading role of net information source over the sample period of 1930-2014, and the importance of finance industry starts to dominate from 1975. 2) Even when finance industry is not ranked as the strongest source of information, the finance industry dominates in the industry network when the net information flows are adjusted by the value added of finance in the GDP. 3) Differences of strength of directed connectedness (ASDC) of source and sink industries signal potential disturbance in the network of industries.
The Antibiofilm Activity of Dual-Function Tail Tubular Protein B from KP32 Phage
Authors: Brzozowska Ewa , Pyra Anna , Pawlik Krzysztof , Górska Sabina , Gamian Andrzej
Published: May 2018

Background: Dual function tail tubular proteins (TTP) belonging to the lytic bacteriophages are the interesting group of biologically active enzymes. Surprisingly, apart from their structural function, they are also polysaccharide hydrolyzes destroying bacterial extracellular components. One of the representatives of this group is TTPB from Klebsiella pneumoniae phage – KP32. TTPB hydrolyzes exopolysaccharide (EPS) of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterococcus faecalis strain. This depolymerizing feature was associated with the activity to prevent bacterial biofilm formation. TTPB can inhibit biofilm formation by K. pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. Moreover, synergistic activity with antibiotic action has been observed, most likely due to depolymerases’ facilitation of contact of antibiotic with bacterial cells. Methods: TTPB was overexpressed in E coli system, purified and tested towards the bacterial strains using agar overlay method. The hydrolytic activity of TTPB was performed using EPSs of K. pneumoniae PCM2713 and E. cloacae ATCC 13047 as the substrates. Next, we determined the reducing sugar (RS) levels in the TTPB/EPS mixtures, regarding the RS amount obtained after acidic hydrolysis. The antibiofilm activity of TTPB has been set down on bacterial biofilm using a biochemical method. Finally, we have demonstrated the synergistic activity of TTPB with kanamycin. Results: For the first time, the hydrolytic activity of TTPB towards bacterial EPSs has been shown. TTPB releases about a half of the whole RS amount of EPSs belonging to K. pneumoniae PCM 2713 and E. cloacae ATCC 13047 strains. 1.12 µM of the phage protein reduces biofilm of both strains by over 60%. Destroying the bacterial biofilm the phage protein improves the antibiotic action increasing kanamycin effectiveness up to four times.
What Does the Future Hold for Yellow Fever Virus? (I)
Authors: Klitting Raphaëlle , Gould Ernest A. , Paupy Christophe , de Lamballerie Xavier
Published: May 2018

The recent resurgence of yellow fever virus (YFV) activity in the tropical regions of Africa and South America has sparked renewed interest in this infamous arboviral disease. YFV had been a human plague for centuries prior to the identification of its urban transmission vector, the Aedes aegypti mosquito species, and the development of an efficient live-attenuated vaccine, the YF-17D strain. The combination of vector-control measures and vaccination campaigns drastically reduced YFV incidence in humans on many occasions, but the virus never ceased to circulate in the forest, through its sylvatic invertebrate vector(s) and vertebrate host(s). Outbreaks recently reported in Central Africa (2015-2016) and Brazil (since late 2016), reached considerable proportions in terms of spatial distribution and total numbers of cases, with multiple exports, including to China. In turn, questions regarding the likeliness of occurrence of large urban YFV outbreaks in the Americas or of a successful import of YFV to Asia are currently resurfacing. This two-part review describes the current state of knowledge and gaps regarding the molecular biology and transmission dynamics of YFV, along with an overview of the tools that can be used to manage the disease at the individual, local and global levels.
What Do We Learn from Word Associations? Evaluating Machine Learning Algorithms for the Extraction of Contextual Word Meaning in Natural Language Processing
Authors: Kapetanios Epaminondas , Alshahrani Saad , Angelopoulou Anastasia , Baldwin Mark
Published: May 2018

“You should know the words by the company they keep!” has been one of the most famous slogans attribute to John Rubert Firth, 1957. This has ignited a whole school in linguistic research known as the British empiricist contextualism. Sixty years later, many un- or semi-supervised machine learning algorithms have been successfully designed and implemented aiming at extracting word meaning from within the context of a text corpus. These algorithms treat words, more or less, as vectors of real numbers representing frequencies of word occurrences within context and word meaning as positions of words in a high-dimensional vector space models. Word associations, in turn, are treated as calculated distances among them. With the rise of Deep Learning (DL) and other artificial neural networks based architectures, learning the positioning of words and extracting word associations as measured by their distances has further improved. In this paper, however, we revisited the main stream of algorithmic approaches and set the stage for a partly cross-disciplinary evaluation framework to judge about the nature of the extracted word associations by state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms. Our preliminary results, which are based on word associations extracted from the application of DL framework on a Google News text corpus, and comparisons with human created word association lists, provide some insights into the inherited limitations in interpreting the type of word associations and underpinning relations between words with inevitable consequences in other areas, such as extraction of knowledge graphs or image understanding.
Eradicate Rabies with Mass Parental Vaccination, Human Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, and Gene Therapy: A Systematic Review
Authors: Nelwan Martin L.
Published: May 2018

Rabies is one of the neglected tropical diseases, almost 100% fatal, but preventable. Rabies virus causes the disease and causes about 59000 human deaths annually. The author searched the Pubmed Database at NCBI for articles on rabies disease published between 2007 and 2018. All articles are open access, free for redistribution and in English. To examine rabies virus, Seller’s test was used. In this article, references written by the author were included and relevant publications were also included. The author reviewed a rabies dog case kept at Nelwan Institution for Human Resource Development. The dog showed clinical signs such as aggressive behavior, in-appetence, and soaking in water. Currently, there are no drugs to treat rabies. Vaccination is the best way to prevent the disease. To eradicate rabies, mass vaccination in dogs, post-exposure prophylaxis, and gene therapy can be used. To prevent rabies disease, minimum 70% of the dog population should receive vaccination. Humans with category II exposure should receive rabies vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin. For treatment, in vivo experiment showed that gene therapy can eliminate rabies from the infected neurons by using rAAV-N796. To fight rabies virus, induced pluripotent cells in combination with CRISPR/Cas9 system can also be beneficial. Furthermore, it needs US$ 8.6 billion to fight rabies annually.
The Diagnostic Value of HIF-2 Alpha to Determine The Development and Efficacy of Treatment for Contrast Induced Nephropathy: An Experimental Study
Authors: Altintop Ismail , Tatli Mehmet , Karakukcu Cigdem , Soyer Sarica Zeynep , Yay Arzu Hanım , Balcioglu Esra , Ozturk Ahmet
Published: May 2018

Background and objectives: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), is an acute renal damage due to contrast agents. This study is conducted to determine the potential diagnostic value of hypoxia-inducible factor 2-alpha (HIF2-α) and to evaluate the renal protective effects of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and sildenafil in a rat CIN model. Material/Methods: This randomized, controlled, interventional animal study was conducted on Wistar rats. Totally, rats (n = 36) were randomly assigned to four groups: control (n = 9), CIN group (n = 9), CIN+NAC group (n = 9), and sildenafil (n = 9). The rat model was used to form iohexol-originated CIN. During the modelling, prophylactic treatment was performed at 24th and 48th hours. After 48 hours of the modelling; blood, urine, tissue samples were obtained for biochemical analyses. HIF-2-α levels were measured in renal tissue, serum and urine samples. Renal sections were performed in order for histopathologic and immunohistochemical evaluations. Results: In the CIN model, HIF-2α levels and other biochemical parameters were significantly increased (p < 0.01). Both sildenafil and NAC, efficiently decreased the renal damage due to contrast agents (p < 0.05). Similarly, after treatment with sildenafil and NAC, HIF-2α levels were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The current study constructs an experimental base for the use of HIF-2α for clinical prevention and treatment of CIN. Several mechanisms may be postulated for the changes in HIF-2α levels. Besides, the increased HIF-2α levels with CIN and decreased HIF-2α levels after treatment may be used for the treatment and follow-up of patients with CIN.
Empowerment and Tech Adoption: Introducing the Treadle Pump Triggers Farmers’ Innovation in Eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Beyene Shimelis , Regassa Teshome , Legesse Belaineh , Mamo Martha , Tadesse Tsegaye
Published: May 2018

In 2013, thirty-eight treadle pumps (TPs) were installed as low-cost technology introduction for small-scale irrigation in eastern Ethiopia. The pilot project also included training of selected farmers on well excavation, installation and maintenance of pumps. In June 2015, researchers visited nine of the 38 TP sites, and found only two functional TPs. The rest were replaced with a new technology. Farmers who adopted the new technology stated that the limited water output and high labor demand of the conventional TP did not optimally fulfil their irrigation water requirements. The new hybrid technologies have spread quickly to more than one hundred households due to three key factors. First, farmers’ innovative modifications of the initial excavation technique addressed the discharge limitations of the conventional TP by excavating boreholes with wider diameter. Second, community ownership of the new technology, including local skills used in well drilling and fabricating excavation implement, made the new irrigation technology affordable and accessible to a higher number of households, leading to faster diffusion of the technology. Third, this innovation has spread organically without any external support. Adoption of the new technology enabled some farmers to accumulate enough resources to diversify their livelihoods into non-farm activities.
Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke and Effects on Physical and Mental Health of Slovak School Children
Authors: Sevcikova Ludmila , Babjakova Jana , Jurkovicova Jana , Samohyl Martin , Stefanikova Zuzana , Machacova Erika , Vondrova Diana , Janekova Etela , Hirosova Katarina , Filova Alexandra , Weitzman Michael , Argalasova Lubica
Published: May 2018

ETS exposure has been shown as an important environmental risk factor in vulnerable population groups. The aim of the project is to analyze the relationships among the ETS and behavior and health in 6−15-year-old children in Slovakia. The status of physical and mental health of children in relation to exposure to tobacco smoke was examined in the representative group of 1478 school children. The methods used, included anonymous questionnaires ﬁlled in by parents, Columbia Impairment Scale (CIS), Behavior Problem Index (BPI) and anthropometry. The prevalence of passive smoking is the highest in the capital (27%) and southern cities. Significant relationships have been confirmed between ETS and the age, socio-economic status, the incompleteness of the family, the level of mother's education and the significantly higher prevalence of respiratory diseases (26.7%).The relationships of ETS with emotional (CIS scores ≥16) and behavioral functions (BPI score ≥14) were significant in children exposed to mother‘s and father‘s smoking at home. In the multivariate analysis this association was not significant; the factors such as income and completeness of the family were dominant. The results confirmed the impact of ETS and social factors on health state and health behavior and could be the argumentation for legislative changes.
Microaggressions Self-Defense: A Role-Playing Workshop for Responding to Microaggressions
Authors: Byrd Christy M.
Published: May 2018

Microaggressions are subtle verbal and non-verbal slights based on group membership, and they are ubiquitous in the lives of racial minorities, women, and LGBTQ individuals (Sue, 2010). The goal of the current paper is to introduce a role-playing based exercise on effective responses to microaggressions. The workshop draws on the prejudice responding workshops of Plous (2000) and Lawson, et al. (2010) but integrates research-based strategies. The activity was tested in two groups of undergraduate students, and the findings suggested that both groups felt more prepared to deal with microaggressions after participating.
Comparison of the Properties of Activated Carbons Produced in a One-stage And a Two-Stage Process
Authors: Bergna Davide , Varila Toni , Romar Henrik , Lassi Ulla
Published: May 2018

Activated carbons (ACs) can be produced from biomass in a thermal process either in a direct carbonization-activation process or first by carbonizing the biomass and later on activating the biochars into activated carbons. The properties of the ACs are dependent on the type of process used for production. In this study, the properties of activated carbons produced in a one-stage and a two-stage process are considered. Activated carbons were produced by physical activation of two types of starting materials, biochars produced from spruce and birch chips in a commercial carbonization plant and from the corresponding raw chips. The activated carbons produced were characterized regarding specific surfaces, pore volumes and pore size distributions. The unactivated biochars had some degree of surface area and some porosity. According to the results obtained, two slightly different types of activated carbons are produced depending if a one-stage or a two-stage carbonization and activation process is used. The ACs produced in the one-stage process had higher specific surface areas compared to the ones produced in a two-stage process. In addition, total pore volumes were higher in one-stage process but development of micropores is greater compared to two-stage process. There was no significant difference in total carbon content between one-stage and two-stage process.
A Zero-Knowledge Proof Based on a Multivariate Polynomial Reduction of the Graph Isomorphism Problem
Authors: González Fernández Edgar , Morales-Luna Guillermo , Sagols Troncoso Feliú
Published: May 2018

Zero-Knowledge Proofs ZKP provide a reliable option to verify that a claim is true without giving detailed information other than the answer. A classical example is provided by the ZKP based in the Graph Isomorphism problem (GI), where a prover must convince the verifier that he knows an isomorphism between two isomorphic graphs without publishing the bijection. We design a novel ZKP exploiting the NP-hard problem of finding the algebraic ideal of a multivariate polynomial set, and consequently resistant to quantum computer attacks. Since this polynomial set is obtained considering instances of GI, we guarantee that the protocol is at least as secure as the GI based protocol.
EPIDEMIOLOGY OF HOME ARTIFICIAL NUTRITION: AN APPROXIMATION TO REALITY
Authors: Villar Taibo Rocío
Published: May 2018

Introduction: Home artificial nutrition (HAN) has undergone an important development; however, there is a notable lack of information with regard to its incidence and characteristics.Objectives: Our aim was to assess the state of HAN in our area.Methods: An observational, prospective study, involving all patients who had initiated HAN in the nutrition unit during a year. Epidemiological, functional, and nutritional evolution of the patients was described and incidence of HAN was calculated.Results: HAN incidences totalled 229/100,000 inhabitants/year. The HAN population in our area was characterized by the aged and a high frequency of comorbidity and functional limitations. Neurological and oncological diseases accounted for 50% of indications. The remaining cases were malnourished patients who had received short periods of HAN after hospitalization or a hip fracture. Oral supplements (60%) with standard and hypercaloric formulas were used the most. At baseline, 75% of the patients suffered from malnutrition. During the follow-up, patients showed weight gain (1.6%), an increase in the percentage of normal weight and overweight (from 74% to 82.7%, p=0.001) and a reduction in pressure ulcers (15.7% vs. 10.3%, p <0.001). The median duration of HAN was 8.5 months. Only a quarter of the patients experienced complications (mostly mild gastrointestinal complications). 43.1% died at the end of the follow-up.Conclusions: In our area, the HAN incidence was much higher than those described in the literature. HAN appears to be a safe therapy with few complications that improves the nutritional status of the patients, even with short periods of administration.
Vegetation Indices to Estimate Spray Application Rates of Crop Protection Products in Corn
Authors: Baio Fabio Henrique Rojo , Silva Eder Eujácio , Vrech Marco Antonio , Souza Fernando Henrique Queiroz , Zanin Alex Roger , Teodoro Paulo Eduardo
Published: May 2018

Spray deposition in corn crop is related to the vegetation indices.

Spray deposition in corn crop is related to the spray application rate.

Plant stand density has no influence on the spray deposition.

Determination of the spray application rates (SAR) of crop protection products for different crops is subjective. The study aimed to develop an equation to estimate optimal spray application rates using a vegetation index (VI) and an expected relative spray deposition for summer corn crop. An experiment was performed in the crop year 2015 to 2016, and 2016 to 2017, with a plant density of 60,000 plants ha−1 with 0.45‐m row spacing, under the no‐tillage system, in the municipality of Chapadão do Sul. An active multispectral sensor (Crop Circle ACS‐470) was used to obtain the VI Red Edge, Normalized Difference Red Edge (NDRE), and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), using the red, red edge, and near‐infrared bands. The experiment consisted of plots subdivided in a 4 × 4 factorial scheme (four spray application rates and four phenological stages), with four replications for each treatment. The mass balance analysis measured leaf deposits. The relationship between vegetation index values and middle stratum deposits showed a quadratic trend. When the vegetation index values are increased, the spray application rate (from 40 to 100 L ha−1) needs to also increase to maintain the same spray deposition (from 50 to 100%) in the middle stratum of corn plants. The vegetative indices studied (VI Red Edge, NDRE, and NDVI) positively correlated to the spray deposition in the middle stratum of corn plants, which also depends on the SAR. Furthermore, the relationship between vegetation index and spray deposits need to be studied for other crops, plant architecture, and stand density.
Characterizing Aggregate Pore Structure by X‐Ray Micro‐Computed Tomography and a Network Model
Authors: Yu Xiuling , Peng Guanyun , Lu Shenggao
Published: May 2018

Core Ideas

Function‐related intra‐aggregate pore structures were investigated for four soils.

The network properties of a connected pore system were analyzed.

The C/I ratio has potential to predict the functions and properties of aggregates.

Spatial variation of the isolated pores affects the potential water retention ability.

Information about the influence of intra‐aggregate pore structure on functions and properties of soil aggregates is not fully available or predictable. In this study, the microscale intra‐aggregate pore structure of four soils (Mollisol, Alfisol, Ultisol, and Vertisol) was studied by a synergistic use of synchrotron‐based X‐ray micro‐computed tomography (SR‐mCT) and advanced analytical data methods. Detailed characteristics of the connected and isolated pores of four soils were investigated by a pore network model, a network analysis, and a pore map analysis, respectively. Results indicated that total porosity and the connected/isolated porosity ratio (C/I) could describe the possible function of the soil aggregates. The aggregates with larger total porosity and C/I ratio (such as Mollisol and Alfisol) tend to have better air, water, and nutrient exchangeability as well as balance of water retention and physical C protection; whereas the aggregates with smaller total porosity and C/I ratio (such as Ultisol and Vertisol) tend to reduce air and water exchange but have relatively better water retention ability. The pore map analysis revealed the spatial variations of isolated pores within the aggregates and depending on soil types, may influence greatly water retention and C physical protection in aggregates. The pore network model and the network analysis revealed that Ultisol and Vertisol have a smaller average throat area, an average channel length, a larger network diameter, and an average path length, which could have limited the exchangeability of air, water, and nutrient. Our results indicated that the total porosity and the C/I ratio were effective proxy indicators, which could be used to predict the functions and properties of an aggregate.
Research Progress on Brucellosis
Authors: Deng Yuming , Liu Xinyue , Duan Kaifang , Peng Qisheng
Published: May 2018

:

Brucellosis is a debilitating febrile illness caused by an intracellular Brucella. The disease is distributed in humans and animals widely, especially in developing countries. Ten species are included in the genus Brucella nowadays; four species of them are pathogenic to humans, which make brucellosis a zoonosis with more than 500,000 new cases reported annually. For human brucellosis, the most pathogenic species is B. melitensis followed by B. suis, while B. abortus is the mildest type of brucellosis. The infection mechanism of Brucella is complicated and mostly relies on its virulence factors. The therapy of the disease contains vaccination and antibiotic. However, there are some defects in currently available vaccines such as the lower protective level and safety. Thus, safe and efficient vaccines for brucellosis are still awaited. The dual therapy of antibacterial is effective in the treatment of brucellosis if a rapid and exact detection method is found.
Internal and External Triggering Mechanism of “Smart” Nanoparticle-Based DDSs in Targeted Tumor Therapy
Authors: Qian Xian-ling , Li Jun , Wei Ran , Lin Hui , Xiong Li-xia
Published: May 2018

Background:

Anticancer chemotherapeutics have a lot of problems via conventional Drug Delivery
Systems (DDSs), including non-specificity, burst release, severe side-effects, and damage to normal cells. Owing
to its potential to circumventing these problems, nanotechnology has gained increasing attention in targeted tumor
therapy. Chemotherapeutic drugs or genes encapsulated in nanoparticles could be used to target therapies to the
tumor site in three ways: “passive”, “active”, and “smart” targeting.

Objective:

To summarize the mechanisms of various internal and external “smart” stimulating factors on the basis
of findings from in vivo and in vitro studies.

Method:

A thorough search of PubMed was conducted in order to identify the majority of trials, studies and novel
articles related to the subject.

Results:

Activated by internal triggering factors (pH, redox, enzyme, hypoxia, etc.) or external triggering factors
(temperature, light of different wavelengths, ultrasound, magnetic fields, etc.), “smart” DDSs exhibit targeted
delivery to the tumor site, and controlled release of chemotherapeutic drugs or genes.

Conclusion:

In this review article, we summarize and classify the internal and external triggering mechanism of
“smart” nanoparticle-based DDSs in targeted tumor therapy, and the most recent research advances are illustrated
for better understanding.
Feeding World Population Amidst Depleting Phosphate Reserves: The Role of Biotechnological Interventions
Authors: Ceasar S. Antony
Published: May 2018

Phosphorus (P) is an important macronutrient affecting the growth and yield of all crop plants. Plants absorb P from the soil solution as inorganic phosphate (Pi). More than 70% of the arable land is deficient of Pi which demands the supply of an external source of synthetic P fertilizers to improve the yields. The P fertilizers are manufactured from non-renewable rock phosphate reserves which are expected to be exhausted within the next 100-200 years. This poses a great threat to food security since it is very difficult to meet the food production caused by increasing world population without the supply of an adequate P fertilizer. Several efforts have been made in the past decade to understand the mechanism of Pi uptake and its redistribution in plants. In this mini-review, we discuss the details on possible strategies to combat the crisis caused by loss of phosphate rock reserves and to improve the crop yield without much dependency on external P fertilizer. Approaches such as application of functional genomics studies to manipulate the expression levels of key transcription factors and genes involved in low Pi stress tolerance, molecular marker-assisted breeding to develop new varieties with improved yields under Pi-deficient soils and to recapture the Pi released in wastewaters for recycling back to the farm lands, will help improve the crop production without depending much on non-renewable P fertilizers and will also aid for the sustainable food production.
Hydatid Recurrence Medically Treated by Albendazole
Authors: Khammari Imen , El Ghali Mohamed Amine , Nasri Salsabil , Dhib Imen , Chouaieb Hamed , Yaacoub Alia , Said Moncef Ben , Letaief Rached , Fathallah Akila
Published: May 2018

Introduction:

Hydatidosis or Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) is a highly endemic parasitosis in Tunisia. The combination of surgery with an adjuvant anti-hydatid medical treatment was shown to reduce the risk of relapses, recurrences and post-operative complications.

Case Report:

We report the case of a liver hydatid cyst recurrence in a woman hospitalized for acute cholangitis of hydatid origin. The patient had a resection of the protruding dome and a bipolar drainage of the main bile duct and cystic cavity with a postoperative biliary fistula and a collection of the residual cavity that required endoscopic sphincterotomy. The patient was then followed up every 6 months. Three years after the intervention, CT scan showed a hydatid recurrence of two new liver cysts. Surgery was expected to be difficult and risky. Medical treatment with albendazole was decided before surgery.

The CT scan performed after 9 months showed important regression of two hydatic cysts. Medical treatment has been extended. Two years later, CT scan was in favor of an involuted aspect of both cysts.

The treatment of CE is primarily surgical; medical treatment alone or associated with surgery can be a good alternative, especially in case of hydatid recurrence and when surgery is risky, mainly in stage I hydatic cyst.
Michael Addition of Imidazole to α, β -Unsaturated Carbonyl/Cyano Compound
Authors: Mohapatra Seetaram , Baral Nilofar , Mishra Nilima Priyadarsini , Panda Pravati , Nayak Sabita
Published: May 2018

Introduction:

Aza-Michael addition is an important reaction for carbon-nitrogen bond formation in synthetic organic chemistry.

Expalantion:

Conjugate addition of imidazole toα,β-unsaturated carbonyl/cyano compounds provides significant numbers of the biologically and synthetically interesting products, such asβ-amino acids andβ-lactams, which have attracted great attention for their use as key intermediates of anticancer agents, antibiotics and other drugs.

Conclusion:

This review addresses most significant method for the synthesis of N-substituted imidazole derivatives following Michael addition reaction of imidazole toα,β-unsaturated carbonyl/cyano compounds using ionic liquid/base/acid/enzyme as catalysts from year 2007-2017.
Bangladesh: Currently the Worst, but Possibly the Future's Best
Authors: Brown Garrett
Published: May 2018

Garment workers in Bangladesh producing clothing for international brands have experienced repeated factory fires and building collapses in the last 10 years, resulting in more than 1,600 deaths and hundreds of disabling injuries. After the Tazreen Fashion fire in December 2012 and the Rana Plaza building collapse in April 2013, more than 190 international clothing brands and retailers signed an “Accord on Fire and Building Safety” with two international union federations. Full implementation of the provisions of the Accord would change “business as usual” in Bangladesh's garment industry and set a positive example for other countries and other industries with global supply chains. The components, challenges, and controversies of the Accord are detailed in the article.
Magic Realism in Shakespeare’s The Tempest and Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children
Authors: Hossain Md. Amir
Published: May 2018

The aim of this paper is to examine a comparative study between Shakespeare’s The Tempest and Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children in the light of Magic Realism. It aims to examine Shakespeare’s and Rushdie’s treatment of Magic Realism during 16th century England and 20th century India, respectively. For this propose, it attempts to portray some important characters, like Prospero, Caliban, and Ariel in the play, The Tempest and the narrator, Saleem Sinai in the novel, Midnight Children. It aims to look at applying the theory of Magic Realism made by prominent critics and scholars. It also wants to focus on magic, supernatural, occult, imagination, reality, and mystery. Both Shakespeare’s and Rushdie’s literary texts are analyzed within the parameters of these issues. Finally, this paper presents the art of characterization, themes and situations, writing forms, similarities and differences in various phases of the two famous writers.
Identifying Good Teachers: Expert vs. Ordinary Knowledge
Authors: Casalaspi David , Hutt Ethan , Schneider Jack
Published: May 2018

While much has been written about the effects of standardized testing on student achievement, less work has addressed how this information is taken up by parents.Â  Drawing on the results of a survey of 286 parents in a diverse urban school district, our research illuminates three aspects of parental response to test score information and efforts to link that information to teacher quality concerns: 1.) How parents relate various teacher traits to quality teaching; 2.) How parents know if their child has a good teacher; and 3.) How parents think teachers should be evaluated. We find that test score data are perceived as both imperfect and incomplete with regard to measuring teacher quality and that parents often rely more on “ordinary” forms of knowledge.Â  This raises questions about the value of existing standardized test score data as an informational spur to reform.