bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Escritura adolescente: una revisión basada en resultados de investigación recientes
Authors: Amaya Pisco Jorge Orlando
Published: August 2017

This research aims to critically look at some recent studies on young people’s writing. It is made up of three parts: the first one points outsome researches associated with university people’s writing in the freshmen year. The second one contains reports which focus on the writing of students in Hihgh school and the third one refers to an investigative panorama on the extra-curricular writing or writing directly or indirectly dissociated from an educational environment. The search provides two findings: In the first, the fact that the recent investigations about the elaborate writing by adolescents tends to go towards the qualification of metacognitive processes; the second one shows the absence of alternative writings different from those proposed by the school or university. These are normally considered as or unnecessary unimportant activities.
Exploring Children’s Cultural Perceptions through Tasks Based on Films in an Afterschool Program
Authors: Mojica Claudia
Published: August 2017

This is a report on a finished research project that explores the cultural perceptions of children through tasks based on films in an English after-school program. This qualitative case study was carried out at a private school in Bogotá and it fostered students ́ active participation in the development of the classes and explored their cultural perceptions. The data collected revealed that this process of construction ofthe concept of culture was built by the learners from the different types of knowledge about the world, the practices, and the artifacts embedded in the community. As for the cultural perceptions that emerged in the data, these corresponded to the interpretations of students’ world and life experience.
Examining Reading Comprehension through the use of Continuous Texts and Hypertexts
Authors: Coscarelli Carla Viana
Published: August 2017

In this paper we present the results of an experiment that aims to verify the influence of the presentation format – hypertext or continuous – in reading comprehension. A group of students, who are familiar with computers, read an advertisement in one of the formats: hypertext or continuous. After reading the text the students answered questions that aimed to verify some reading skills: global comprehension, retrieving information, making inferences and giving opinion. Both the text and the answers given by the students were analyzed using the Theory of Mental Spaces proposed by Fauconnier and Turner (2002). Although a quantitative analyses of the answers has pointed to an advantage of the hypertext format, qualitative analyses show that, regardless of the presentation format, the students could understand the advertisement, and were able to deal with different mental spaces in a very creative and efficient way.
Intertextuality as Resource for Building ELLs Generic Competence: A Systemic Functional Linguistic View
Authors: Schulze Joshua , Ramírez J Andrés
Published: August 2017

This research examines how elementary English language learners(ELLs) used intertextuality as a resource to compose informational texts. The research examines ELLs’ use of intertextuality (Fairclough, 1992, 2003; Lancia, 1997) as a resource for developing generic competence (Bhatia, 2002). Using the tools of critical discourse analysis (CDA) and systemic functional linguistics (SFL), the researchers locate instances of manifest intertextuality to evaluate the extent of reliance on intertextual resources. While findings suggest strong reliance on intertextual resources and thus the potential to see this appropriation as a form of “transgressive intertextuality” (Pennycook, 2004), the close SFL analysis revealed that students’ grammatical moves to make the text their own have the potential to increase their linguistic control over the target genre of informational text.
Broadening Minds: Exploring Intercultural Understanding in Adult EFL Learners
Authors: Cruz Arcila Ferney
Published: August 2017

Our current globalized world has become a space where many cultures are in permanent contact. Now, we are living in an interconnected world that requires us to be tolerant with others. This article describes some processes through which adult EFL learners developed intercultural understanding. This research aimed to provide clear examples of how significant and necessary it is to give foreign language learners the chance to become aware of the foreign culture while they are becoming proficient in the target language. In addition, this paper also accounts for some kinds of intercultural connections the students make between their native culture and the target one. Through a careful analysis of the data collected, this qualitative case study shows that by implementing different types of pedagogical strategies the students are able to go beyond superficial ideas about the target culture which help them become more open-minded towards other forms of perceiving reality.
Profiling academic research on discourse studies and second language learning
Authors: Castañeda Harold
Published: August 2017

There is little profiling academic research on discourse studies in relation to second language learning from a regional perspective. Thisstudy aims at unveiling what, when, where and who constitute scholarly work in research about these two interrelated fields. A dataset wasconfigured from registers taken from Dialnet and studied using specialized text-mining software. Findings revealed myriad research interests,few prolific years and the lack of networking. It is recommended to trace out our research as an ELT community locally and globally.
Language learners’ identities in EFL settings: resistance and power through discourse
Authors: Gomez Lobaton July Carolina
Published: August 2017

This research project aims at identifying and analyzing different identities students construct as learners of a foreign language wheninteracting within an EFL classroom, and how this identity construction might have possible effects on students’ language learning process.This study, which was carried out with undergraduate students from a private university in Bogotá, was the product of permanent observationto the development of students language learning process (specially speaking skill) and how the implicit or explicit student-teacher interactionmight constitute an important element to this development, relies under the principles of CCDA (Critical Classroom Discourse Analysis). Theidea of implementing this research methodology has to do with the need of looking beyond fixed categorizations and rather listen to howlearners negotiate different identities as they employ diverse cultural and linguistic resources to construct knowledge in classrooms. Throughoutthe process of data collection, with transcripts of oral interactions undertaken in the classroom and interviews to students as main sources ofanalysis, a new perspective of pupils as social actors who hold multiple social identities was discovered. The results show that issues such asthe use of L1 in the EFL classroom, the teacher‘s conception of language learning and teaching and the silent fight for power among teacherand students constitute important elements in the struggle of students when constructing their social and individual identities as learners withina given classroom community.
LGBT Students’ Short Range Narratives and Gender Performance in the EFL Classroom
Authors: Rondón Cardenas Francisco
Published: August 2017

By means of the analysis of six short range narratives, utilizing as a methodology (Feminist Post –Structuralist Discourse Analysis) FPDA,this paper unveils some significant moments which evidence the way LGBT EFL students draw on different discourses to adapt, negotiate,resist, emancipate, and reproduce heteronormativity. EFL students Methodological FrameworkConstantly shift positions and perform their gender assuming simultaneously powerful and powerless stances in the EFL classroom.The study categorizes the emancipatory discourse as a way to resist, the discourse of vulnerability as a way to reproduce and cope withmarginalization, and the homophobic discourse as a way to position LGBT individuals as abnormal. Finally, the article will reflect on themoments LGBT student mitigate their oral skills and constrain their participation in class, due to the fact that they are frequently evaluatingtheir comments to avoid accidental disclosure of their sexual identity.
Between Dark Black and Light Brown. Discourses and Ethnic Identities among Afrodescendant Boys and Girls in School Context in Bogotá
Authors: Soler Sandra
Published: August 2017

There is a felt need to understand the way ethnic identities are constructed by Afrodescendant boys and girls aged 6-12 in school contextsin Bogotá as there is little research in such specific context and topic in Colombia. This research report proposes a discourse analysis andsocial psychology approach to tackle such problem. Thus this paper seeks to identify the discursive mechanisms that allow us to know howidentity processes emerge from the acceptance or denial of ethnicity; mechanisms that may lead or have an effect on discursive adaptation,resistance or negotiation. Findings suggest that children begin early their ethnic self-identification from the color of the skin, whereby theydifferentiate a wide color range, tending towards whitening. Children have different degrees of ethnic appraisal that go from pride to rejection.In inter-ethnic relations, they tend to deny or minimize the conflict, and there is a tendency to avoid speaking about it. Children identify thecause of the problem as a quantitative issue, as they are minority in Bogotá. In inter-ethnic dynamics, some children accept the stereotypesassigned to them, others reject them, and others scoff at them.
Polyphonies and research horizons for the Colombian Applied Linguistics Journal
Authors: Castañeda-Peña Harold
Published: August 2017

Welcome to our Colombian Applied Linguistics Journal new issue. The present journal edition proposes a hermeneutical exercise on domains of applied linguistics inviting readers to be “implied” revisiting and renewing research horizons at national and international levels around three research interests: Education and professional development of language teachers, Literacy processes and new literacies in two languages and Discourse studies in educational contexts. These academic paths are also the foci of our graduate programme in Applied Linguistics to TEFL at Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, and they constitute our own research agenda.
Building Students’ Voices through Critical Pedagogy: Braiding Paths towards the Other
Authors: Umbarila Gómez Silvia Patricia
Published: August 2017

This study attempts to promote social reflection and cultural recognition in the multicultural scenario of the classroom. This is a qualitative study carried out with ninth grade students at a public school in Bogotá. The main objective is enrolling the students in critical pedagogy practices that allow them the construction of the sense of Other. The experience was implemented through the students’ exposure to authentic historical facts in which they acquired knowledge about social, political, and cultural issues. This exposure then encouraged reflection during the classes, empowering the students with a voice to refuse and denounce. Students’ voices were identified and interpreted through the instruments used, video recordings and artifacts. The results highlighted the importance of giving students a voice that enriches their role as citizens in terms of their responsibility and commitment towards Others.
Blogging: A way to foster EFL writing
Authors: Quintero Luz Mary
Published: August 2017

This article reports on the results of an action-research project carried out with agroup of first year university students from an “English Program” at a public university in Bogotá. The project aimed to gain insights into EFL writing and to analyze the role that feedback played in the process of writing. The experience was implemented through the interaction of two groups of students, one from Colombia and the other from Canada, who interacted regularly by means of using  blogs. Students were provided with three different spaces: a personal blog in which they wrote about topics of personal interest, a group blog that allowed students to work and write cooperatively, and a debate blog that required the use of argumentative writing. The findings of this research suggest that EFL writing is greatly developed when students feel part of a community to interact with and to share similar interests and language learning goals which are mediated, in this case, by technology. It was also found that by writing in blogs students not only developed their writing but more importantly, students have the possibility to portray and show their own selves through the written pieces they post. Finally, the feedback was found to be beneficial in EFL writing as it was a crucial ingredient that gave student-writers tools to scaffold in the writing process.
Characterizing the strange term in critical size homogenization: Quasilinear equations with a general microscopic boundary condition
Authors: Díaz Jesus Ildefonso , Gómez-Castro David , Podol’skii Alexander V. , Shaposhnikova Tatiana A.
Published: August 2017

The aim of this paper is to consider the asymptotic behavior of boundary
value problems in n-dimensional domains with periodically placed particles,
with a general microscopic boundary condition on the particles and a p-Laplace diffusion operator on the interior,
in the case in which the particles are of critical size.
We consider the cases in which

{1<p<n}

,

{n\geq 3}

.
In fact, in contrast to previous results in the literature, we formulate the microscopic boundary condition in terms of a Robin type condition, involving a general maximal monotone graph, which also includes the case of microscopic Dirichlet boundary conditions.
In this way we unify the treatment of apparently different formulations, which before were considered separately.
We characterize the so called “strange term” in the homogenized problem for the case in which the particles are balls of critical size.
Moreover, by studying an application in Chemical Engineering, we show that the critically sized particles lead to a more effective homogeneous reaction than noncritically sized particles.
Unilateral Technology Sharing among Competitors in Markets with Heterogeneous Consumers
Authors: Yoshida Shohei , Pan Cong
Published: August 2017

This paper explains why some firms share their technology with competitors. We consider a Hotelling market where duopolists sell products with different qualities. This market consists of heterogeneous consumers, comprising three groups in terms of their valuations of product quality. We show that when consumers’ preferences for product quality are sufficiently heterogeneous, a high-quality firm benefits from sharing quality-enhancing technology.
The key incident monitoring and management system – history and role in quality improvement
Authors: Badrick Tony , Gay Stephanie , Mackay Mark , Sikaris Ken
Published: August 2017

Background:

The determination of reliable, practical Quality Indicators (QIs) from presentation of the patient with a pathology request form through to the clinician receiving the report (the Total Testing Process or TTP) is a key step in identifying areas where improvement is necessary in laboratories.

Methods:

The Australasian QIs programme Key Incident Monitoring and Management System (KIMMS) began in 2008. It records incidents (process defects) and episodes (occasions at which incidents may occur) to calculate incident rates. KIMMS also uses the Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA) to assign quantified risk to each incident type. The system defines risk as incident frequency multiplied by both a harm rating (on a 1–10 scale) and detection difficulty score (also a 1–10 scale).

Results:

Between 2008 and 2016, laboratories participating rose from 22 to 69. Episodes rose from 13.2 to 43.4 million; incidents rose from 114,082 to 756,432. We attribute the rise in incident rate from 0.86% to 1.75% to increased monitoring. Haemolysis shows the highest incidence (22.6% of total incidents) and the highest risk (26.68% of total risk). “Sample is suspected to be from the wrong patient” has the second lowest frequency, but receives the highest harm rating (10/10) and detection difficulty score (10/10), so it is calculated to be the 8th highest risk (2.92%). Similarly, retracted (incorrect) reports QI has the 10th highest frequency (3.9%) but the harm/difficulty calculation confers the second highest risk (11.17%).

Conclusions:

TTP incident rates are generally low (less than 2% of observed episodes), however, incident risks, their frequencies multiplied by both ratings of harm and discovery difficulty scores, concentrate improvement attention and resources on the monitored incident types most important to manage.
Cystine knot growth factors and their functionally versatile proregions
Authors: Schwarz Elisabeth
Published: August 2017

The cystine knot disulfide pattern has been found to be widespread in nature, since it has been detected in proteins from plants, marine snails, spiders and mammals. Cystine knot proteins are secreted proteins. Their functions range from defense mechanisms as toxins, e.g. ion channel or enzyme inhibitors, to hormones, blood factors and growth factors. Cystine knot proteins can be divided into two superordinate groups. (i) The cystine knot peptides, also referred to – with other non-cystine knot proteins – as knottins, with linear and cyclic polypeptide chains. (ii) The cystine knot growth factor family, which is in the focus of this article. The disulfide ring structure of the cystine knot peptides is made up by the half-cystines 1-4 and 2-5, and the threading disulfide bond is formed by the half-cystines, 3-6. In the growth factor group, the disulfides of half-cystines 1 and 4 pass the ring structure formed by the half-cystines 2-5 and 3-6. In this review, special emphasis will be devoted to the growth factor cystine knot proteins and their proregions. The latter have shifted into the focus of scientific interest as their important biological roles are just to be unravelled.
Photocatalytic Degradation of Azo Dyes Over Semiconductors Supported on Polyethylene Terephthalate and Polystyrene Substrates
Authors: Sandoval Christian , Molina Gabriela , Vargas Jentzsch Paul , Pérez Jady , Muñoz Florinella
Published: August 2017

The discharge of effluents from the textile industry into water bodies has a severe impact on water quality. The photocatalytic degradation of two typical azo dyes used in the textile industry (Acid Brown 83 and Direct Blue 1) was studied using the catalysts titanium dioxide (TiO
Enhancement of Profenofos Remediation Using Stimulated Bioaugmentation Technique
Authors: Siripattanakul-Ratpukdi Sumana , Vangnai Alisa S. , Patichot Warayut
Published: August 2017

Profenofos, an organophosphorus pesticide, has been reported its contamination in groundwater. The current study emphasized on the use of integrated bioaugmentation and biostimulation techniques to enhance profenofos bioremediation. A profenofos-degrading consortium including
Fetal goitrous hypothyroidism treated by intra-amniotic levothyroxine administration: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Kobayashi Mami , Yagasaki Hideaki , Saito Tomohiro , Nemoto Atsushi , Naito Atsushi , Sugita Kanji
Published: August 2017

Background:

Fetal goitrous hypothyroidism is mainly caused by maternal treatment of Graves’ disease. Fetal goiter sometimes compresses the trachea and esophagus and may cause polyhydramnios, preterm labor, complications of labor and delivery, and neonatal respiratory disorder.

Case presentation:

We report a case of fetal goitrous hypothyroidism in which the mother had Graves’ disease, which was treated with propylthiouracil. Intra-amniotic levothyroxine (L-T

Conclusions:

Previous reports on fetal goitrous hypothyroidism that was treated with intra-amniotic L-T
Crystal structure of bis(2-hydroxyethyl(phenyl)carbamodithioate)nickel(II), C18H20N2NiO2S4
Authors: Ajayi Tomilola J. , Van Zyl Werner E.
Published: August 2017

C18H20N2NiO2S4, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 7.6548(1) Å, b = 6.8528(1) Å, c = 19.2214(4) Å, β = 93.776(1)°, V = 1006.10(3) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.0189, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0461, T = 100(2) K.
The shifting role of a document in managing conflict and shaping the outcome of a small group meeting
Authors: Hall Joan Kelly , Butler Emily Rine
Published: August 2017

Small group project work often requires students to meet outside of class. It is important that these meetings be efficacious, as the resulting projects typically figure into students’ grades. The challenge is that, unlike in more formal meetings, there is typically no designated institutional authority to manage their work together. In peer meetings students have equal participatory rights; thus, formulating understandings and managing conflict can be especially delicate matters to accomplish. In this single case analysis of a small group project meeting, we examine the shifting role of a document in resolving conflict that threatens the group’s work. The analysis shows how, over the course of the meeting, a personal document created during the meeting subsequently becomes oriented to by the participants as an official formulation of their decisions and an authoritative directive to complete their tasks. This shift in orientation to the document allows a way out of the conflict and the meeting to come to a successful conclusion. In addition to providing data on conflict resolution in meetings without an official leader, the finding on the changing role of a document adds to understandings of how actions are accomplished through the construction and manipulation of objects.
Electric Spark Discharges in Water. Low-energy Nuclear Transmutations and Light Leptonic Magnetic Monopoles in an Extended Standard Model
Authors: Stumpf Harald
Published: August 2017

Light leptonic magnetic monopoles were predicted by Lochak [G. Lochak, Intern. J. Theor. Phys.24, 1019 (1985).]. Experimental indications based on nuclear transmutations were announced by Urutskoiev et al. [L. I. Urutskoiev, V. I. Liksonov, V. G. Tsinoev, Ann. Fond. L. de Broglie27, Nr.4, 791 (2002).] and Urutskoev [L. J. Urutskoev, Ann. Fond. L. de Broglie29, 1149 (2004).]. A theoretical interpretation of these transmutations is proposed under the assumption that light leptonic magnetic monopoles are created during spark discharges in water. The latter should be excited neutrinos according to Lochak. This hypothesis enforces the introduction of an extended Standard Model described in previous papers. The most important results of this study are (i) that multiple proton captures are responsible for the variety of transmutations and that leptonic magnetic monopoles are involved in these processes (ii) that electromagneticdualitycan be established for bound states of leptonic monopoles although massive monopoles are in general unstable (iii) that criteria for the emission of leptonic magnetic monopoles and for their catalytic effect on weak decays are set up and elaborated. The study can be considered as a contribution to the efforts of Urutskoiev and Lochak to understand the reasons for accidents in power plants.
Energy Expenditure in Older Adults Who Are Frail: A Doubly Labeled Water Study
Authors: Bastone Alessandra de Carvalho , Ferriolli Eduardo , Pfrimer Karina , Moreira Bruno de Souza , Diz Juliano Bergamaschine Mata , Dias João Marcos Domingues , Dias Rosângela Corrêa
Published: August 2017

Background and Purpose:

Frailty is a common and important geriatric syndrome, distinct from any single chronic disease, and an independent predictor of mortality. It is characterized by age-associated decline in physiological reserve and function across multiple systems, culminating in a vicious cycle of altered energy expenditure. The total energy expenditure (TEE) of an individual includes the resting metabolic rate (RMR), the thermic effect of feeding, and the energy expenditure in physical activity (PAEE). The investigation of the energy expenditure of older adults who are frail is essential for better understanding the syndrome. Therefore, we compared the RMR, the PAEE, the physical activity level (PAL), and the TEE of older adults who were frail with those who were not frail.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 26 community-dwelling older adults (66-86 years of age). Older adults in the frail and nonfrail groups were matched for age and gender, and the matched pairs were randomly selected to continue the study. The RMR was measured by indirect calorimetry. The TEE was obtained by the multipoint, doubly labeled water method. After collecting a baseline urine sample, each participant received an oral dose of doubly labeled water composed of deuterium oxide and oxygen-18 (2H2
18O). Subsequently, urine samples were collected on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 12th, 13th, and 14th days after the baseline collection and analyzed by mass spectrometry.

Results and Discussion:

The older adults who were frail presented significantly lower PAEE (1453.7 [1561.9] vs 3336.1 [1829.3] kj/d, P < .01), PAL (1.4 [0.3] vs 1.9 [0.6], P = .04), and TEE (7919.0 [2151.9] vs 10442.4 [2148.0] kj/d, P < .01) than the older adults who were nonfrail. There was no difference in their RMRs (5673.3 [1569.2] vs 6062.0 [1891.7] kj/d, P = .57). Frailty has been associated with a smaller lean body mass and with a disease-related hypermetabolic state, which might explain the lack of difference in the RMR. The PAL of the older adults who were frail was below the recommended level for older adults and determined a lower PAEE and TEE when compared with older adults who were not frail.

Conclusion:

This study showed that low energy expenditure in physical activity is a main component of frailty. The PAL of the older adults who were frail was far below the recommended level for older adults.
Effects of a Sprint Interval and Resistance Concurrent Exercise Training Program on Aerobic Capacity of Inactive Adult Women
Authors: Salom Huffman Lorena , Wadsworth Danielle D. , McDonald James R. , Foote Shelby J. , Hyatt Hayden , Pascoe David D.
Published: August 2017

Salom Huffman, L, Wadsworth, DD, McDonald, JR, Foote, SJ, Hyatt, H, and Pascoe, DD. Effects of a sprint interval and resistance concurrent exercise training program on aerobic capacity of inactive adult women. J Strength Cond Res 33(6): 1641–1648, 2019—The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of high-intensity concurrent exercise training (CET) consisting of sprint intervals (sprint interval training [SIT]) and resistance exercise (RET) protocols on aerobic capacity in recreationally active, adult women. A total of 53 participants were pair-matched according to preliminary maximal aerobic capacity (Vo
2max) Bruce protocol assessment into level-grade (SIT0) or 6% incline (SIT6) groups. This 12-week intervention consisted of 3 CET sessions per week. Sprint interval protocol consisted of 2 (weeks 1–6) then 3 (weeks 7–12) sets of three 40-second sprints at specific intensities to evoke responses equivalent to 95% of age-predicted maximal heart rate interspersed with 20 seconds of rest; with 1 minute of passive recovery between sets. An undulating periodization model consisting of lifts such as the back squat and bench press constituted the RET component. Protocol order alternated each session. Posttraining revealed significant improvements in both SIT0 and SIT6 (p ≤ 0.05) for Vo
2max (2.11 ± 0.390 to 2.29 ± 0.382 L·min−1; 2.03 ± 0.382 to 2.09 ± 0.561 L·min−1), Tmax (490.5 ± 102.3 to 542.7 ± 81.5 seconds; 503.2 ± 75.4 to 541.8 ± 77.0 seconds), and Vmax (5.1 ± 0.92 miles per hour [MPH] to 5.9 ± 0.90 MPH; 4.3 ± 0.68 MPH to 4.9 ± 0.64 MPH), respectively. No significant between-group interactions were detected for any of the variables. Our SIT-based CET intervention represents an effective strategy to induce significant cardiovascular adaptations in older women as evident by aerobic capacity improvements, beneficial to overall health and critical for functionality into old age; an important concern for aging women.
Effects of Energy Beverage Consumption on Pistol Aiming Steadiness in Law Enforcement Officers
Authors: Monaghan Taylor P. , Jacobson Bert H. , Sellers John H. , Estrada Carlos A.
Published: August 2017

Monaghan, TP, Jacobson, BH, Sellers, JH, and Estrada, CA. Effects of energy beverage consumption on pistol aiming steadiness in law enforcement officers. J Strength Cond Res 31(9): 2557–2561, 2017—The popularity of energy drinks (EDs)/shots (ESs) has grown steadily over the years resulting in billions of dollars of sales annually. Energy drink marketing focuses on the improved performance and alertness and a reduction in fatigue. Although caffeine comprises one of the ingredients, it is not fully known how the combination of the many remaining active ingredients affects physical performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a commercially available ES on pistol aiming steadiness. Subjects (N = 10) consisted of accredited police officers in the Midwest. A randomized, blinded, crossover design was used to evaluate the pistol aiming steadiness after the consumption of an ES or placebo. Pistol aiming steadiness was measured using a hole/stylus steadiness tester and laser attached to a training pistol before and 30 minutes after ES or placebo consumption. Analysis revealed that the ES significantly (p ≤ 0.05) impaired pistol steadiness, whereas the placebo yielded no significant difference in aiming steadiness. Based on these results, it was concluded that the consumption of an ES could compromise aiming accuracy and shot placement, thereby jeopardizing the health and welfare of law enforcement personnel.
The future: medical advances in MEN1 therapeutic approaches and management strategies
Authors: van Leeuwaarde Rachel S , de Laat Joanne M , Pieterman Carolina R C , Dreijerink Koen , Vriens Menno R , Valk Gerlof D
Published: August 2017

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 is a rare autosomal inherited disorder associated with a high risk for patients to simultaneously develop tumors of the parathyroid glands, duodenopancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and tumors of the anterior pituitary gland. Early identification ofMEN1in patients enables presymptomatic screening of manifestations, which makes timely interventions possible with the intention to prevent morbidity and mortality. Causes of death nowadays have shifted toward local or metastatic progression of malignant neuroendocrine tumors. In early cohorts, complications like peptic ulcers in gastrinoma, renal failure in hyperparathyroidism, hypoglycemia and acute hypercalcemia were the primary causes of early mortality. Improved medical treatments of these complications led to a significantly improved life expectancy. The MEN1 landscape is still evolving, considering the finding of breast cancer as a new MEN1-related manifestation and ongoing publications on follow-up and medical care for patients with MEN1. This review aims at summarizing the most recent insights into the follow-up and medical care for patients with MEN1 and identifying the gaps for future research.
Accelerating Wright–Fisher Forward Simulations on the Graphics Processing Unit
Authors: Lawrie David S
Published: August 2017

Forward Wright–Fisher simulations are powerful in their ability to model complex demography and selection scenarios, but suffer from slow execution on the Central Processor Unit (CPU), thus limiting their usefulness. However, the single-locus Wright–Fisher forward algorithm is exceedingly parallelizable, with many steps that are so-called “embarrassingly parallel,” consisting of a vast number of individual computations that are all independent of each other and thus capable of being performed concurrently. The rise of modern Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) and programming languages designed to leverage the inherent parallel nature of these processors have allowed researchers to dramatically speed up many programs that have such high arithmetic intensity and intrinsic concurrency. The presented GPU Optimized Wright–Fisher simulation, or “GO Fish” for short, can be used to simulate arbitrary selection and demographic scenarios while running over 250-fold faster than its serial counterpart on the CPU. Even modest GPU hardware can achieve an impressive speedup of over two orders of magnitude. With simulations so accelerated, one can not only do quick parametric bootstrapping of previously estimated parameters, but also use simulated results to calculate the likelihoods and summary statistics of demographic and selection models against real polymorphism data, all without restricting the demographic and selection scenarios that can be modeled or requiring approximations to the single-locus forward algorithm for efficiency. Further, as many of the parallel programming techniques used in this simulation can be applied to other computationally intensive algorithms important in population genetics, GO Fish serves as an exciting template for future research into accelerating computation in evolution. GO Fish is part of the Parallel PopGen Package available at: http://dl42.github.io/ParallelPopGen/.
TURISMO Y TERRITORIO: ACTIVIDAD TURISTICA DE LA RESERVA NATURAL LAGUNA DE APOYO
Authors: Mena-García Berta Adilia , Jirón-García Alfonso Blas
Published: August 2017

Se estudia la Reserva Natural La Laguna de Apoyo, como un recurso turístico localizado en el municipio de Catarina, Departamento de Masaya, Nicaragua. Originada como producto de una portentosa erupción volcánica hace aproximadamente 23,00 años, posee una extensión es de 3,500 hectáreas.  Sus componentes son la zona de amortiguamiento que comprende el valle de la laguna y la zona núcleo conformada por la laguna y laderas montañosas.  Como recursos culturales se observan elementos conformados por: miradores, petroglifos, talleres de artesanía, jardines e iglesias. Los recursos naturales están constituidos por: la laguna, laderas cratericas, la flora y la fauna.   Las actividades turísticas incluyen visitas a miradores, caminatas por los senderos, avistamiento de flora y fauna, natación, pesca, visitas a talleres y jardines y las fiestas religiosas.  Como metodología para la obtención de la información se hicieron consultas bibliográficas, visitas comunitarias, aplicación de encuestas, entrevistas y guías de observación.  Las encuestas se realizaron a turistas nacionales y extranjeros, y las entrevistas a líderes comunales y responsables de Instituciones.  Los principales hallazgos la mayoría de turistas que visitaron la reserva son profesionales o estudiantes universitarios, la laguna es la principal atracción de los turistas y según los encuestados la infraestructura turística de la reserva es muy buena.
Two novelties in genus Platystele (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae) from Costa Rica
Authors: Karremans Adam P. , Bogarín Diego
Published: August 2017

Two new species of Platystele allied to P. oxyglossa complex are described from Costa Rica. Platystele carl-lueriana can be distinguished from P. catiensis and P. oxyglossa by the compact inflorescence that barely exceeds the leaf, from P. pedicellaris by the large plants with long leaves and small flowers, and from P. tausensis by the yellowish sepals and petals (vs. purple stained) and the minutely glandular (vs. apically hirsute) lip. The second species, Platystele jane-lueriana, can be easily distinguished by the glabrous flowers, and the conspicuously inflated, bulbous lip, with an incurved apex. Among the other members of the complex, it is most closely resembles P. pedicellaris in the compact inflorescence that is subequal to the leaves, but is distinguished by tail-less sepals and the linear-ligulate petals. With these additions, the total number of Costa Rican Platystele reaches twenty species.
A descriptive study of bone density based on angle’s malocclusion classification on female patients aged 13–30 years old on panoramic radiograph
Authors: Ling Pei C. , Firman Ria N. , Pramanik Farina
Published: August 2017

Objective: This study was performed to determine the bone density based on angle’s malocclusion classification on female patients aged 13–30 years old using panoramic radiograph.Material and Methods: Ninety digital panoramic radiographs of female patients aged 13–30 years old and with 30 radiographs representing each of the angle’s malocclusion classes (class I, class II, class III) were used. The bone density was measured by using ImageJ software with 20 x 20 pixels intensity by using a method based on the mental index (MI).Results: The mean bone density of female patients aged 13–30 years old with angle’s malocclusion of class I was 18.726% of cortical and 81.274% of marrow, class II was 16.804% of cortical and 83.196% of marrow, and class III was 15.911% of cortical and 84.089% of marrow.Conclusion: The bone density of female patients aged 13–30 years old with angle’s class I malocclusion was higher than class II and class II malocclusion had higher bone density than class III on panoramic radiograph.
Early New Orleans band photography
Authors: Ainsworth Alan John
Published: August 2017

Band photographs are important records of early New Orleans jazz. The cultural, racial and economic environment in New Orleans shaped band photography and gave rise to a series of distinctive visual conventions—the formal, instrumental array, posed action and novelty poses. New Orleans bands were integral to New Orleans’ musical and social culture, mediating musicians’ relationship with the market and providing space for the negotiation of racial, personal and musical identities. The ensemble tradition elevated accomplishment and presentational style, but economic uncertainty, competition between musicians for work and exposure to a capricious labour market were ever-present; racial factors were also critically important. The visual conventions were consciously deployed to meet these challenges, allowing musicians to publicize individual and ensemble skills and create musical and racial identities. Set in context, New Orleans band photographs point to the complex and shifting af nity between musicians and ensemble.
Multi-step triaxial compressive creep behaviour and induced gas permeability change of clay-rich rock
Authors: Liu Z. B. , Xie S. Y. , Shao J. F. , Conil N.
Published: August 2017

Clay-rich rocks are potential geological barriers for geological repositories of radioactive waste. The long-term safety of a repository requires a full characterisation of the time-dependent thermal hydro-mechanical behaviour of the clay-rich rocks. This paper investigates the creep deformation and induced permeability change of the Callovo-Oxfordian (COx) claystone by a series of multi-step triaxial compressive creep tests. The effects of confining pressure and deviatoric stress are both studied. Three values of effective confining pressure are 2 MPa, 6 MPa and 12 MPa, according to the in situ stress estimation at the Bure underground research laboratory in France. In each test, the deviatoric stress is progressively loaded in five steps so that the primary, secondary and tertiary stages of creep can be evaluated. In the last loading step, the tested sample may exhibit a creep failure process. During the creep tests, the gas permeability of the partially saturated COx claystone is measured by a transient pulse decay method in concurrence with the material creep deformation. The results obtained show that both the confining pressure and deviatoric stress have important effects on the time-dependent deformation and permeability evolution of the claystone. Analysis of creep strain rates during the last creep step indicates that there exists a threshold for the creep-induced failure of the COx claystone. The permeability evolution in the triaxial creep process is closely related to the microstructural evolution of rock, including the closure of pre-existing micro-cracks, the compaction voids and the creation, propagation and coalescence of micro-cracks.
Yap/Taz Deletion in Gli+ Cell-Derived Myofibroblasts Attenuates Fibrosis
Authors: Liang Ming , Yu Michael , Xia Ruohan , Song Ke , Wang Jun , Luo Jinlong , Chen Guang , Cheng Jizhong
Published: August 2017

In damaged kidneys, increased extracellular matrix (ECM) and tissue stiffness stimulate kidney fibrosis through incompletely characterized molecular mechanisms. The transcriptional coactivators yes-associated protein (Yap) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (Taz) function as mechanosensors in cancer cells and have been implicated in the regulation of myofibroblasts in the kidney. We hypothesized that the development of kidney fibrosis depends on Yap-induced activation and proliferation of kidney fibroblasts. In mice, Yap expression increased in renal fibroblasts after unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), in association with worsening of interstitial fibrosis. In cultured fibroblasts, inhibition of Yap/Taz signaling blocked TGF-β1–induced fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transformation and ECM production, whereas constitutive activation of Yap promoted fibroblast transformation and ECM production even in the absence of TGF-β1. Moreover, in the absence of TGF-β1, fibroblasts seeded on a stiffened ECM transformed into myofibroblasts in a process dependent on the activation of Yap. In mice with UUO, the Yap inhibitor verteporfin reduced interstitial fibrosis. Furthermore, Gli1+ cell-specific knockout of Yap/Taz in mice suppressed UUO-induced ECM deposition, myofibroblast accumulation, and interstitial fibrosis. In a UUO-release model, induction of Gli1+ cell-specific Yap/Taz knockout partially reversed the development of interstitial fibrosis. Thus, in the kidney, Yap is a tissue mechanosensor that can be activated by ECM and transforms fibroblasts into myofibroblasts; the interaction of Yap/Taz and ECM forms a feed-forward loop resulting in kidney fibrosis. Identifying mechanisms that interrupt this profibrotic cycle could lead to the development of anti-fibrosis therapy.
Misallocation Costs of Digging Deeper into the Central Bank Toolkit
Authors: Kurtzman Robert , Zeke David
Published: August 2017

Central bank large-scale asset purchases, particularly the purchase of corporate bonds of nonfinancial firms, can induce a misallocation of resources through their heterogeneous effect on firms cost of capital. First, we analytically demonstrate the mechanism in a static model. We then evaluate the misallocation of resources induced by corporate bond buys and the associated output losses in a calibrated heterogeneous firm New Keynesian DSGE model. The calibrated model suggests misallocation effects from corporate bond buys can be large enough to make them less effective than government bond buys, which is not the case without accounting for misallocation effects.
Focal epithelial hyperplasia in Yemeni families: Three case reports
Authors: Al-Shaikhani Salwa
Published: August 2017

This is the first time to get the opportunity to report and study three cases from three families with focal epithelial hyperplasia (FEH) in Yemen. Clinically they presented as focal and/or diffuse papillomatous lesions in the oral mucosa in children. The purpose of this paper is to add information concerning clinical feature, the possible etiologic factors and diagnosis of this disease which is totally unknown to the general Yemeni medical professionals and to raise dentist’s awareness about these rare conditions.
Molar-incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) among Kurdish children in Sulaimani City, Iraq
Authors: Noori Arass , Hussein Shokhan
Published: August 2017

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of molar incisor hypomineralisation among Kurdish children in Sulaimani City, Iraq.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out on primary school students in Sulaimani City. A total of 2346 Kurdish children aged 7 to 9 years old were examined; 1194 (50.9%) males and 1152 (49.1%) females, enrolled in 20 primary public schools. The index teeth were evaluated using the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (EAPD) criteria for MIH.
Results: The prevalence of MIH was found to be 18.2% where no statistically significant association was found with age or gender (P>0.05). Multiple teeth involvement (13.2%) was more common than a single molar involvement (5.1%). The mean number of the affected index teeth with MIH per affected child was (3.1). Mild defects were present in 64.1% of the affected teeth with demarcated creamy-white opacities were the most common finding (33.3%).
Conclusion: It’s been found that MIH is a prevalent pathology among Kurdish children in Sulaimani City which could result in a large number of children continuously seeking professional dental treatment. Therefore, dental practitioners who deal with child patients could encounter such cases and should be aware of the treatment choices and management protocols for coping with this particular condition.
A retrospective panoramic study for alveolar bone loss among young adults in Sulaimani City, Iraq
Authors: Zardawia Faraedon , Aboud Alaa
Published: August 2017

Objective: to determine the prevalence of alveolar bone crest loss among a selected sample of archival orthopantomography (OPG) in relation to number of sites affected and gender in Sulaimani City.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted with an inclusive period running from March to December 2007 to determine the prevalence of alveolar bone loss among 1072 subjects on panoramic radiographs. Panoramic images were sampled at the radiological archive of Dental School Hospital–University of Sulaimani for a selected age class ranged from 17 to 30 years. Bone loss was estimated by measuring the distance from cementoenamel junction (CEJ) minus 2 mm (physiologic high of interseptal alveolar crest) to the crest of the alveolar bone at sites with reduced normal level of interseptal bone. Total bone loss was divided into two groups according to number of sites affected; group one (1-3) sites showing bone loss per panoramic radiograph, and group 2 showing bone loss at more than 3 sites. Samples were also divided into two age groups; group one from 17 to 23 years and group two from 24 to 30 years. Moreover, bone loss was determined according to gender into male and female and number of sites affected for each gender. 

Results: results showed that 347 images – 30.2% of the total images showed bone loss at one site or more. 14.6% of the images revealed bone loss at 1-3 sites, whereas, 15.6% demonstrated bone loss at more than 3 sites. Percentage of bone loss was significantly higher (P=0.001) among group two (24-30 years old group) than group one (17-23 years old group) 38% against 25% respectively. Female’s radiographs recorded a non-significantly higher (P>0.05) bone loss than male’s radiographs 31.7% against 28.7% respectively.   

Conclusion: prevalence of bone loss among young adults in Sulaimani City was relatively high compared to other published reports. There was a predilection for female. Bone loss was more prevalent at (24-30 years old group) compared to (17-23 years old group).