bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Successful Use of Intravenous Immunoglobulin G to Treat Refractory Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia With Thrombosis Complicating Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Harvest
Authors: McKenzie Devon S. , Anuforo Josephine , Morgan Jennah , Neculiseanu Elvira
Published: January 2018

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is a well-known, life-threatening complication that occurs in 5% of patients exposed to heparin. It causes thrombocytopenia in roughly 85% to 90% of affected individuals, with expected recovery in approximately 4 to 10 days following heparin withdrawal. However, there is an entity known as refractory heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis in which patients have prolonged thrombocytopenia, refractory to the current standard of care. We present one such case of a 48-year-old male with R-ISS (Revised International Staging System) stage II kappa light chain multiple myeloma in stringent complete response status postinduction therapy. He developed heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis during peripheral blood stem cell harvesting, manifesting as acute right coronary artery thrombus and severe thrombocytopenia. Although his clinical course was prolonged, he was ultimately successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulin G 500 mg/kg/day over 4 days.
When Foreign Domestic Helpers Care for and About Older People in Their Homes: I Am a Maid or a Friend
Authors: Ho Ken H. M. , Chiang Vico C. L. , Leung Doris , Ku Ben H. B.
Published: January 2018

We examine the lived experiences of foreign domestic helpers (FDH) working with community-dwelling older people in Hong Kong. Unstructured interviews were conducted with 11 female FDHs, and thematically analyzed. The theme inescapable functioning commodity represented the embodied commodification of FDHs to be functional for older people in home care. Another theme, destined reciprocity of companionship, highlighted the FDHs’ capacity to commit to home care and be concerned about older people. The waxing and waning of the possibilities of commodified companionship indicated the intermittent capacity of FDHs to find meaning in their care, in which performative nature for functional purposes and emotional engagement took turns to be the foci in migrant home care. This study addresses the transition of FDHs from task-oriented relation to companions of older people through care work. Discussion draws on the development of a kin-like relationship between FDHs and older people with emotional reciprocity grounded in moral values.
North Korea Mission in Historical Perspective
Authors: Ahn Kyo Seong
Published: January 2018

The North Korea Mission has involved one of the most strenuous efforts in the contemporary world missionary movement, but also one of the most futile and least understood. Bearing in mind the evolution of the policy of South Korean governments on North Korea, this study aims to clarify the change and challenges of two different ministries concerning North Korea: the North Korea Mission itself and the South-North Korea peace and reunification movement. Both ministries are multifaceted, showing differences in ideas, strategies, and parties concerned. They can be implemented, however, by the synergic effort of evangelical and ecumenical mission.
In Search of a Theology of Reconciliation in the Korean Peninsula
Authors: Kim Sebastian C. H.
Published: January 2018

Peace and reconciliation are vital theological concepts: God reconciles himself with us through Christ, and likewise, we are called to become reconciled with one another. But how can this theological understanding be applied to peace and reconciliation between the two Koreas? I discuss here some of the theological efforts that have emerged, drawn from (1) Korean experiences of captivity to ideological differences, (2) distrust and despair, and (3) differing identities between North and South. If Christian theology is to address these issues, we must explore further the meaning of the key concepts Jubilee, han, and shared identity.
BAFF and CD4+ T cells are major survival factors for long-lived splenic plasma cells in a B-cell–depletion context
Authors: Thai Lan-Huong , Le Gallou Simon , Robbins Ailsa , Crickx Etienne , Fadeev Tatiana , Zhou Zhicheng , Cagnard Nicolas , Mégret Jérôme , Bole Christine , Weill Jean-Claude , Reynaud Claude-Agnès , Mahévas Matthieu
Published: January 2018

Key Points

Modification of the splenic microenvironment induced by B-cell depletion creates a dependence of PCs on BAFF and CD4+ T cells. Combining anti-CD20 and anti-BAFF reduces the number of splenic PCs, opening therapeutic perspectives for antibody-mediated cytopenia.
Comparative effectiveness of direct oral anticoagulants and warfarin in patients with cancer and atrial fibrillation
Authors: Shah Surbhi , Norby Faye L. , Datta Yvonne H. , Lutsey Pamela L. , MacLehose Richard F. , Chen Lin Y. , Alonso Alvaro
Published: January 2018

Key Points

In AF and cancer patients, rate of bleeding is lower with apixaban, similar in dabigatran and rivaroxaban users, compared to warfarin users. Ischemic stroke rates did not differ among anticoagulant users. Incident VTE risk was lower in all DOAC compared with warfarin users.
Variability of PD-L1 expression in mastocytosis
Authors: Hatch Ellen W. , Geeze Mary Beth , Martin Cheyenne , Salama Mohamed E. , Hartmann Karin , Eisenwort Gregor , Blatt Katharina , Valent Peter , Gotlib Jason , Lee Ji-Hyun , Chen Lu , Ward Heather H. , Lidke Diane S. , George Tracy I.
Published: January 2018

Key Points

PD-L1 is variably expressed in MCs from patients with SM and CM. PD-1 is expressed in MCs in a subset of patients with CM, but not SM.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: miR-3928v is induced by HBx via NF-κB/EGR1 and contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma malignancy by down-regulating VDAC3
Authors: Zhang Qiaoge , Song Ge , Yao Lili , Liu Yankun , Liu Min , Li Shengping , Tang Hua
Published: January 2018

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) plays a critical role in the tumorigenic behavior of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to participate in HCC development via the regulation of their target genes. However, HBV-modulated miRNAs involved in tumorigenesis remain to be identified. Here, we found that a novel highly expressed miRNA, TLRC-m0008_3p (miR-3928v), may be an important factor that promotes the malignancy of HBV-related HCC.

Methods

Solexa sequencing was applied to profile miRNAs, and RT-qPCR was used to identify and quantitate miRNAs. We studied miR-3928v function in HCC cell lines by MTT, colony formation, migration/invasion, and vascular mimicry (VM) assays in vitro and by a xenograft tumor model in vivo. Finally, we predicted and verified the target gene of miR-3928v by a reporter assay, studied the function of this target gene, and cloned the promoter of miR-3928v and the transcription factor for use in dual-luciferase reporter assays and EMSAs.

Results

A variant of miR-3928 (miR-3928v) was identified and found to be highly expressed in HBV (+) HCC tissues. Voltage-dependent anion channel 3 (VDAC3) was validated as a target of miR-3928v and found to mediate the effects of miR-3928v in promoting HCC growth and migration/invasion. Furthermore, HBx protein increased early growth response 1 (EGR1) expression and facilitated its translocation into the nucleus to enhance miR-3928v promoter activity in an NF-κB signaling-dependent manner.

Conclusions

miR-3928v is induced by HBx through the NF-κB/EGR1 signaling pathway and down-regulates the tumor suppressor gene VDAC3 to accelerate the progression of HCC.
Synergistic effect of eugenol with Colistin against clinical isolated Colistin-resistant Escherichia coli strains
Authors: Wang Yi-ming , Kong Ling-cong , Liu Jie , Ma Hong-xia
Published: January 2018

Background

Bacterial infections have become more challenging to treat due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria. Combined antibiotics prove to be a relatively effective method to control such resistant strains. This study aim to investigate synergistic activity of eugenol combined with colistin against a collection of clinical isolatedEscherichia coli(E.coli) strains, and to evaluate potential interaction.

Methods

Antimicrobial susceptibility, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) of the bacteria were determined by disk diffusion assay, broth microdilution method and checkerboard assay, respectively. The mcr-1 mRNA expression was measured by Real-time PCR. To predict possible interactions between eugenol and MCR-1, molecular docking assay was taken.

Results

For total fourteen strains including eight colistin-resistant strains, eugenol was determined with MIC values of 4 to 8 μg/mL. Checkerboard dilution test suggested that eugenol exhibited synergistic activity when combined with colistin (FICI ranging from 0.375 to 0.625). Comparison analysis of Real-time PCR showed that synergy could significantly down-regulate expression of mcr-1 gene. A metal ion coordination bond with catalytic zinc atom and a hydrogen bond with crucial amino acid residue Ser284 of MCR-1 were observed after molecular docking, indicating antibacterial activity and direct molecular interactions of eugenol with MCR-1 protein.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that eugenol exhibited synergistic effect with colistin and enhanced its antimicrobial activity. This might further contribute to the antibacterial actions against colistin-resistantE.colistrains.

Graphical abstract

Synergistic effect of eugenol with colistin against colistin-resistant Escherichia coli isolates.
Scientific Presenting: Using Evidence-Based Classroom Practices to Deliver Effective Conference Presentations
Authors: Corwin Lisa A. , Prunuske Amy , Seidel Shannon B.
Published: January 2018

Scientists and educators travel great distances, spend significant time, and dedicate substantial financial resources to present at conferences. This highlights the value placed on conference interactions. Despite the importance of conferences, very little has been studied about what is learned from the presentations and how presenters can effectively achieve their goals. This essay identifies several challenges presenters face when giving conference presentations and discusses how presenters can use the tenets of scientific teaching to meet these challenges. We ask presenters the following questions: How do you engage the audience and promote learning during a presentation? How do you create an environment that is inclusive for all in attendance? How do you gather feedback from the professional community that will help to further advance your research? These questions target three broad goals that stem from the scientific teaching framework and that we propose are of great importance at conferences: learning, equity, and improvement. Using a backward design approach, we discuss how the lens of scientific teaching and the use of specific active-learning strategies can enhance presentations, improve their utility, and ensure that a presentation is broadly accessible to all audience members.
Palladium-Catalyzed Homo- and Copolymerization of Polar Monomers: Synthesis of Aliphatic and Aromatic Polymers
Authors: Ito Shingo
Published: January 2018

Transition-metal-catalyzed coordination–insertion polymerization of olefins is an indispensable tool in polymer synthesis. When polar monomers with polar functional groups are employed, however, the catalysts are often deactivated owing to side reactions such as σ-coordination and β-elimination of the functional group. Nevertheless, recent progress in late transition metal catalysis has enabled the synthesis of many types of functional polymers from polar monomers through coordination–insertion polymerization methods. This account describes our achievements in the palladium-catalyzed coordination–insertion (co)polymerization of polar monomers for the syntheses of a variety of functional polymers, ranging from functionalized polyolefins via olefin/polar monomer copolymerization to o-arylene-containing polymers via formal aryne polymerization.
How messages about behavioral genetics research can impact on genetic attribution beliefs
Authors: Morin-Chassé Alexandre
Published: January 2018

Science communication has the potential to reshape public understanding of science. Yet, some research findings are more difficult to explain and more likely to be misunderstood. The contribution of this paper is threefold. It opens with a review of fascinating interdisciplinary literature on how scientific research about human genetics is disseminated in the media, and how this type of information could influence public beliefs and world views. It then presents the theoretical framework for my research program, providing a logical basis for how messages about human genetics may influence people's beliefs about the role of genes in causing human traits. Based on this reasoning, I formulate the genetic interpolation hypothesis, which predicts that messages about specific research findings in behavioral genetics can lead members of the public to infer greater genetic causation for other social traits not mentioned in the content of the message. While this framework offers clear, testable predictions, some questions remain unaddressed. For instance, what kind of message formats are persuasive enough to alter people's views? The third contribution of this paper is to begin to address this question empirically. I present the results of a survey experiment that was designed to test whether a simple, short paragraph about behavioral genetics is a powerful enough stimulus to cause the genetic interpolation effect.
Using regulatory genomics data to interpret the function of disease variants and prioritise genes from expression studies
Authors: Ferrero Enrico
Published: January 2018

The identification of therapeutic targets is a critical step in the research and developement of new drugs, with several drug discovery programmes failing because of a weak linkage between target and disease. Genome-wide association studies and large-scale gene expression experiments are providing insights into the biology of several common and complex diseases, but the complexity of transcriptional regulation mechanisms often limit our understanding of how genetic variation can influence changes in gene expression. Several initiatives in the field of regulatory genomics are aiming to close this gap by systematically identifying and cataloguing regulatory elements such as promoters and enhacers across different tissues and cell types. In this Bioconductor workflow, we will explore how different types of regulatory genomic data can be used for the functional interpretation of disease-associated variants and for the prioritisation of gene lists from gene expression experiments.
City-based action to reduce harmful alcohol use: review of reviews
Authors: Anderson Peter , Jané-Llopis Eva , Hasan Omer Syed Muhammad , Rehm Jürgen
Published: January 2018

Background: The World Health Organization global strategy on alcohol called for municipal policies to reduce the harmful use of alcohol. Yet, there is limited evidence that documents the impact of city-level alcohol policies.

Methods: Review of reviews for all years to July 2017. Searches on OVID Medline, Healthstar, Embase, PsycINFO, AMED, Social Work Abstracts, CAB Abstracts, Mental Measurements Yearbook, Health and Psychosocial Instruments, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, International Political Science Abstracts, NASW Clinical Register, and Epub Ahead of Print databases. All reviews that address adults, without language or date restrictions resulting from combining the terms (“review” or “literature review” or “review literature” or “data pooling” or “comparative study” or “systematic review” or “meta-analysis” or “pooled analysis”), and “alcohol”, and “intervention” and (“municipal” or “city” or “community”).

Results: Five relevant reviews were identified. Studies in the reviews were all from high income countries and focussed on the acute consequences of drinking, usually with one target intervention, commonly bars, media, or drink-driving. No studies in the reviews reported the impact of comprehensive city-based action. One community cluster randomized controlled trial in Australia, published after the reviews, failed to find convincing evidence of an impact of community-based interventions in reducing adult harmful use of alcohol.    

Conclusions: To date, with one exception, the impact of adult-oriented comprehensive community and municipal action to reduce the harmful use of alcohol has not been studied. The one exception failed to find a convincing effect. We conclude with recommendations for closing this evidence gap.
Water source most suitable for rearing a sensitive malaria vector, Anopheles funestus in the laboratory
Authors: Tchigossou Genevieve M. , Akoton Romaric , Yessoufou Akadiri , Djegbe Innocent , Zeukeng Francis , Atoyebi Seun M , Tossou Eric , Moutairou Kabirou , Djouaka Rousseau
Published: January 2018

Background:  The insecticide susceptibility status ofAnopheles funestus,one of the main malaria vectors in the Afrotropical regions, remains under-studied due to the difficulty of working with this mosquito species. Collecting their larvae in natural breeding sites, rearing and maintaining them in normal laboratory conditions have been a difficult task. Forced-egg laying technique has been a very good tool to generate eggs from adult mosquitoes collected from the wild but rearing these eggs to obtain satisfying portion as adults has always been the problem. In this study, we optimized the development of mosquito species larvae under standard laboratory conditions for desired production of adult mosquitoes that can be useful for insecticide susceptibility tests.

Methods: A forced-egg laying technique was used to obtain eggs from gravid femaleAnopheles funestuscollected from Kpome locality in Benin. Eggs were reared in three different water samples (water from the borehole, and two mineral water namely FIFA and Possotômè) and larvae were fed with TetraMin baby fish food. The physico-chemical parameters of the waters were investigated prior to use for egg incubation (introduction of eggs’ batches into water).

Results:In contrast to mineral water that had no contamination, the borehole water source was contaminated with lead (2.5mg/L) and nitrate (118.8mg/L). Egg hatching rates ranged as 91.9 ± 4.4%, 89.1 ± 2.5% and 87.9 ± 2.6% in FIFA, Possotômè and borehole water respectively. High emergence of larvae to adult mosquitoes was recorded as in FIFA (74.3%) and Possotômè (79.5%) water. No adult mosquito was obtained from larvae reared in borehole water.

Conclusions:This study gave insight on the water sources that could be good for rearing to mass produceAn. funestusin the laboratory. More analysis with other local mineral water sources in our environments could be considered in the future, hopefully giving better outputs.
Using mitoribosomal profiling to investigate human mitochondrial translation
Authors: Gao Fei , Wesolowska Maria , Agami Reuven , Rooijers Koos , Loayza-Puch Fabricio , Lawless Conor , N. Lightowlers Robert , Chrzanowska-Lightowlers Zofia M. A.
Published: January 2018

Background: Gene expression in human mitochondria has various idiosyncratic features. One of these was recently revealed as the unprecedented recruitment of a mitochondrially-encoded tRNA as a structural component of the large mitoribosomal subunit. In porcine particles this is mt-tRNAPhe whilst in humans it is mt-tRNAVal. We have previously shown that when a mutation in mt-tRNAVal causes very low steady state levels, there is preferential recruitment of mt-tRNAPhe. We have investigated whether this altered mitoribosome affects intra-organellar protein synthesis.

Methods: By using mitoribosomal profiling we have revealed aspects of mitoribosome behaviour with its template mt-mRNA under both normal conditions as well as those where the mitoribosome has incorporated mt-tRNAPhe.

Results: Analysis of the mitoribosome residency on transcripts under control conditions reveals that although mitochondria employ only 22 mt-tRNAs for protein synthesis, the use of non-canonical wobble base pairs at codon position 3 does not cause any measurable difference in mitoribosome occupancy irrespective of the codon. Comparison of the profile of aberrant mt-tRNAPhe containing mitoribosomes with those of controls that integrate mt-tRNAVal revealed that the impaired translation seen in the latter was not due to stalling on triplets encoding either of these amino acids. The alterations in mitoribosome interactions with start codons was not directly attributable to the either the use of non-cognate initiation codons or the presence or absence of 5’ leader sequences, except in the two bicistronic RNA units, RNA7 and RNA14 where the initiation sites are internal.

Conclusions: These data report the power of mitoribosomal profiling in helping to understand the subtleties of mammalian mitochondrial protein synthesis. Analysis of profiles from the mutant mt-tRNAVal cell line suggest that despite mt-tRNAPhe being preferred in the porcine mitoribosome, its integration into the human counterpart results in a suboptimal structure that modifies its interaction with mt-mRNAs.
Homo nudes
Authors: Казаков Евгений , Kazakov Evgeniy
Published: January 2018

The monograph is devoted to the study of one of the "eternal" philosophical problems: the metaphysical essence of man and its such a mixed implementation history. Addressed to master's degrees (studying the course "Issues of modern philosophy") graduate students, faculty, and students, and everyone interested in the metaphysics of human existence
Boundary Organization Practices for Collaboration in Enterprise Integration
Authors: Yeow Adrian , Sia Siew Kien , Soh Christina , Chua Cecil
Published: January 2018

Multiparty collaboration is particularly challenging in large-scale enterprise integration (EI) implementations as diverse organizational subunits and external consultants need to work together to enact transformational change. We argue from prior research that a boundary organization—a formal organizational space that enables participants with divergent interests to collaborate—provides a relatively durable structure to manage emergent tensions and conflicts among stakeholders in EI projects. To better understand how a boundary organization enables ongoing, dynamic, multiparty collaboration, we introduce the concept of boundary organization practices to describe practices enacted as part of the boundary organization to define the working rules and arrangements for diverse stakeholders to work together. We conducted a longitudinal exploratory case study of a multiyear EI implementation in a large logistics organization. Our analysis of the longitudinal data led us to identify three sets of boundary organization practices (i.e., organizing to negotiate, to contain, and to sustain). These sets of practices emerged to address the divergence that arose in each of the three phases (designing, realizing, and leveraging) of EI implementation. We also find artifacts to be an integral part of the boundary organization practices as they motivated, coordinated, and enabled collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
Financing Multiple Heterogeneous Suppliers in Assembly Systems: Buyer Finance vs. Bank Finance
Authors: Deng Shiming , Gu Chaocheng , Cai Gangshu (George) , Li Yanhai
Published: January 2018

Buyer finance has been practiced by manufacturers/assemblers for years; however, few papers have investigated the efficacy of buyer finance in an assembly system with multiple suppliers. This paper fills the literature gap by comparing buyer finance with bank finance in a supply chain with one assembler and multiple heterogeneous capital-constrained component suppliers. We characterize the equilibrium solutions for different financing schemes (i.e., buyer finance, bank finance, and no finance). We show that in buyer finance the assembler should charge the suppliers the lowest possible interest rate, which may be even below its own unit capital opportunity cost, leading to interest losses in financing suppliers. However, the assembler can benefit more from enhanced inventory backup and lower component purchasing prices resulting from the low buyer-finance interest rate. We further compare the two financing schemes from the perspectives of the assembler, the borrowing and nonborrowing suppliers, and the whole supply chain. Our analysis reveals that the assembler may offer buyer finance even if its own unit capital opportunity cost is higher than the bank risk-free interest rate. We also demonstrate how the suppliers’ initial capitals, production costs, and their heterogeneities affect the assembler’s selection of the optimal financing scheme and identify the conditions under which buyer finance is better than bank finance for different parties in this assembly supply chain.

The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2017.0677 .
Risk assessment of M3Ms and decisions on ordering a CBCT and prescribing a coronectomy
Authors: Renton Tara
Published: January 2018

Coronectomy is a procedure that is evidence based in order to prevent inferior alveolar nerve injury (IANI) related to surgery for high risk mandibular third molars (M3Ms). The justification for undertaking coronectomy rather than third molar removal is based upon risk assessment of the M3M, for which one has no clear parameters. There is international acceptance of this technique, however, there are many outstanding issues relating to the criteria for prescription, investigation and decision-making for this procedure including: risk factors for IAN injury/indications for cone beam CT scan (CBCT); indications for coronectomy as seen on plain films and then on to CBCT; complications/contra-indications of coronectomy; legal issues; and recommendations.

Thus this personal opinion paper was aimed at highlighting the complexities around investigating, prescribing, patient consent and undertaking coronectomies, in order to assist the clinician in making surgical decisions faced with an ever changing evidence base and lack of specific criteria.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: Third molar surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures undertaken on the NHS. Up to 48% of patients are reported to be at higher risk of inferior alveolar nerve injury after assessment with dental pantomograms, but the numbers do vary depending upon the patient cohort. This paper aims to unravel some of the conflicting evidence and attempts to provide some useful practical tips on the optimal management of these patients.
A case of poorly-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma following dental extractions
Authors: Kalra Aneesh , Huppa Christoph
Published: January 2018

Gingival squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) are relatively rare and make up approximately 10% of oral squamous cell carcinomas. 1 The initial signs and symptoms of a gingival SCC can resemble common dental and periodontal infections and hence it is usually diagnosed late with a relatively poor prognosis. This report presents a case of a healthy 39-year-old patient who attended for routine wisdom teeth extractions, and returned to the emergency department complaining of progressive trismus and paraesthesia of the lower lip. A provisional diagnosis of osteomyelitis was made. However, further clinical, radiographic and histopathological investigations resulted in the diagnosis of poorly-differentiated SCC.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: A series of misdiagnoses were made by specialists and by general dental and medical practitioners; this case highlights the importance of recognizing the signs and symptoms of oral carcinoma and appropriate subsequent management.
The far-reaching value of Froebel short courses
Authors: Louis Stella
Published: January 2018

This article explores the impact on development, learning and teaching of the new Froebel Trust course, which grew from work in a township in South Africa, with street children in Kolkata, and then in England.
Working from interests can lead to independence
Authors: Francis Jo
Published: January 2018

In this article, we will take a look at how we have successfully engaged the boys in our setting in undertaking literacy activities and how they regularly choose to read and write independently.
Creating a professional workforce
Authors: Merrick Beatrice
Published: January 2018

A meeting of minds between Early Education and the Chartered College of Teaching has led to the creation of a joint Early Years Network, which aims to use research to drive standards in the sector.
Let play fan the flames of learning
Authors: Lawson Deborah
Published: January 2018

Early education is the foundation for later success, but to paraphrase François Rabelais, are we filling vases or lighting fires? There is simply no merit in making the reception year more like Key Stage 1.
Knowing your place is here
Authors: Brown Paula
Published: January 2018

Children of pre-school age are thought to ask around 150,000 a year, but which questions do they ask and what are they for? This is the fourth article in our current series; this month we focus on ‘where’.
Sitting on top of the world
Authors: Clarke Jenni
Published: January 2018

Jenni Clarke explores ways to keep things simple in the early years. This month's article looks at the everyday resources and materials you can use to stimulate complex play – plastic bottle tops.
Through the looking glass
Authors: Harries Judith
Published: January 2018

The first in a series that will explore practical activities for introducing concepts that will help children in the Understanding the world area of learning – this month, we look at magnifying glasses and pots.
Setting up a great STEM club
Authors: Mitchell Jo
Published: January 2018

STEM Club Week takes place in early February. Jo Mitchell looks at the ins and outs of setting up a club and the secrets to making a club popular and successful
Winning on workload
Authors: Stanley Julian
Published: January 2018

The themes of workload, stress and pressure continue in education. Julian Stanley urges us to make 2018 the year of effective change to working practices
Variation detection and respondents’ feedback: the cause, effect, and solution of oil spills.
Authors: Tologbonse Ayodele Sunday , Makinde Esther Oluwafunmilayo
Published: January 2018

Centred on occurrences of pipeline explosion and oil spills in a host community; a supervised classification technique, of land use/land cover variation detection was carried-out, with Landsat imageries of three time intervals, to determine the percentage of variation between the time intervals. Also carried-out, was a random sampling of questionnaires; dispatch to acquire respondents’ feedback. It addressed respondents’ demographic and social-economic composition of the sample population, the perception on the cause and the impact, and the effect of the oil spill and finally considered the possible solutions. Information was subjected to descriptive analysis and an F-test statistical analysis in a 95% confidence interval. Reports showed that land use/land cover classification had undergone series of percentage variation within the time interval considered, indicating ‘remarks’ of a rise or a decline. While, the measure of insecurity (of about 36.7%) is a prevailing element to the unceasing attack on oil pipelines and only a sustaining security measure (of about 40.8%) will evidently pave a way-out. Wherefore advocating for community based policing, and a comprehensive technological sensor system, for monitoring of oil pipelines/facilities across the Nation.
Above-Ground Biomass of Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) Trees and Stands
Authors: Rédei Károly , Gál János , Keserű Zsolt , Antal Borbála
Published: January 2018

The increasing demand for forest products, diminishing forest land areas, and general concern about the long-term effects of deforestation have increased the need for multipurpose tree species with rapid growth rates. Consequently, information on renewable energy resources is becoming increasingly crucial, and forest biomass determination is becoming a significant part of forestry. Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is a fast growing, nitrogen fixing, stress tolerant species with durable and high quality wood that can be used for many purposes including wall panelling; vine props; furniture; pulp and paper; animal feed stock; bee forage; and biomass energy. This article presents the above-ground biomass of black locust, both for individual trees and for stands. Information concerning wet and absolute dry wood for stem, merchantable (d1.3 > 5 cm) and small (d 1.3 < 5 cm) wood, and for other tree parts (foliage, bark) for individual trees and for black locust stands are detailed in dendromass tables by six yield classes.
Microwave synthesis of sulfanilic acid
Authors: Havlíček Jiří , Myška Karel , Tejchman Waldemar , Karásková Natálie , Doležal Rafael , Maltsevskaya Nadezhda V. , Kolář Karel
Published: January 2018

Sulfanilic acid represents an important substance, which is frequently utilized in the industry of azo dyes as well as in drug development of antimicrobials (e.g. of sulfonamides). Students can also meet with such type of compounds in chemistry labs, for example, when they estimate pH by methyl orange indicator or prepare Orange II for textile colouring. Both of these dyes are products of azo coupling of sulfanilic acid as diazonium salt withN,N-dimethylaniline or 2-naphthol, respectively. In the article, we focus on the synthesis of sulfanilic acid as a well-known experiment in the organic chemistry education. The synthesis was modified as the solvent free and microwave assisted experiment under semimicroscale conditions. That experiment is very convenient for the organic chemistry courses in the university or the high school teaching.
Helminth therapy: Advances in the use of parasitic worms against Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and its challenges
Authors: Maruszewska-Cheruiyot M. , Donskow-Łysoniewska K. , Doligalska M.
Published: January 2018

Development of modern medicine and better living conditions in the 20th century helped in reducing a number of cases of infectious diseases. During the same time, expansion of autoimmunological disorders was noticed. Among other are Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease which are chronic and relapsing inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Absence of effective treatment in standard therapies effects the search for alternative opportunities. As per hygienic hypothesis increasing number of cases of autoimmune diseases is as a result of reduced exposure to pathogens, especially parasites. Thus, one of the promising remedial acts against IBD and other allergic and autoimmune disorders is “helminth therapy”. Cure with helminths seems to be the most effective therapy of IBD currently proposed. Helminth therapy focuses on advantageous results that have been obtained from the clinical trials, but its mechanisms are still unclear. Explanation of this phenomenon would help to develop new drugs against IBD based on helminth immunomodulatory molecules.
First report of the lesion nematodes: Pratylenchus brachyurus and Pratylenchus delattrei on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plants in Cape Verde
Authors: Flis Ł. , Dobosz R. , Rybarczyk-Mydłowska K. , Wasilewska-Nascimento B. , Kubicz M. , Winiszewska G.
Published: January 2018

Roots of Solanum lycopersicum L. were collected in growing season of year 2015, on the island of Santiago in Cape Verde. Morphological, morphometric and molecular (18S rDNA and 28S rDNA) studies revealed the presence of Pratylenchus brachyurus and P. delattrei in root systems and root zones of tomato plants. To our knowledge, this is the first record of the occurrence of these nematode species in Cape Verde.
Optimum sample size to estimate mean parasite abundance in fish parasite surveys
Authors: Shvydka S. , Sarabeev V. , Estruch V. D. , Cadarso-Suárez C.
Published: January 2018

To reach ethically and scientifically valid mean abundance values in parasitological and epidemiological studies this paper considers analytic and simulation approaches for sample size determination. The sample size estimation was carried out by applying mathematical formula with predetermined precision level and parameter of the negative binomial distribution estimated from the empirical data. A simulation approach to optimum sample size determination aimed at the estimation of true value of the mean abundance and its confidence interval (CI) was based on the Bag of Little Bootstraps (BLB). The abundance of two species of monogenean parasitesLigophorus cephaliandL. mediterraneusfromMugil cephalusacross the Azov-Black Seas localities were subjected to the analysis. The dispersion pattern of both helminth species could be characterized as a highly aggregated distribution with the variance being substantially larger than the mean abundance. The holistic approach applied here offers a wide range of appropriate methods in searching for the optimum sample size and the understanding about the expected precision level of the mean. Given the superior performance of the BLB relative to formulae with its few assumptions, the bootstrap procedure is the preferred method. Two important assessments were performed in the present study: i) based onCIs width a reasonable precision level for the mean abundance in parasitological surveys ofLigophorusspp. could be chosen between 0.8 and 0.5 with 1.6 and 1x mean of theCIs width, and ii) the sample size equal 80 or more host individuals allows accurate and precise estimation of mean abundance. Meanwhile for the host sample size in range between 25 and 40 individuals, the median estimates showed minimal bias but the sampling distribution skewed to the low values; a sample size of 10 host individuals yielded to unreliable estimates.
Helminth fauna of Spiny Tailed Lizard,Darevskia rudis(Bedriaga, 1886) (Sauria: Lacertidae) from Turkey
Authors: Birlik S. , Yildirimhan H. Sami , Ilgaz Ç. , Kumlutaş Y.
Published: January 2018

The present study investigated the composition of helminth parasites ofDarevskia rudis,Spiny Tailed Lizard from Turkey. One hundred and two samples (49♀♀, 53♂♂) from the Tokat, Trabzon, Rize, Gümüşhane and Artvin Provinces were collected and examined for helminth parasites. New host and locality records were recorded. As a result of the present study, seven species of Nematoda,Skrjabinodon medinae,Spauligodonsp.,Spauligodon carbonelli,Spauligodon aloisei,Skrjabinelazia hoffmanni,Strongyloides darevsky,Oswaldocruzia filiformis; one species of Cestoda,Mesocestoidesspp. (tetrathyridium) and one species of AcanthocephalaSphaerirostris scanensiswere reported from the lizard samples.Sp. carbonelliandSphaerirostris scanensisare here recorded for the first time in Turkey.D. rudisis the new host recorded forSk. medinae,Spauligodonsp.,Sp. carbonelli,Sp. aloiseifrom Nematoda,Mesocestoidesspp. from Cestoda andSphaerirostris scanensisfrom Acanthocephala. This host has been studied for the first time for the helminth parasites from the Tokat and Gümüşhane Provinces. There is, to our knowledge, only one report of helminthes forD. rudisin Turkey.
Sensing Athletes: Sensory Dimensions of Recreational Endurance Sports
Authors: Groth Stefan , Krahn Yonca
Published: January 2018

Sport has become increasingly popular with recreational athletes over the last couple of decades. This has only gained minimal attention so far from scholars interested in the relations between recreational sports and everyday culture. With this paper, we seek to contribute to this field by scrutinising the sensory dimensions of recreational sport. Rather than probing into or highlighting isolated senses, we look at sensory dimensions understood as a combination of different, non-separable sensory experiences featured in recreational endurance sports. We are interested in how the senses play a role for recreational endurance athletes in running, triathlon and cycling both in training and competition. We start by examining how cultural and social dimensions are inextricably linked to doing sports. Secondly, we show how different configurations of the senses and their communicative mediation are contingent on sport disciplines, specific settings, technology, development and change as sensory careers over time. Thirdly, we discuss the kinaesthetic dimensions of doing sports in relation to the senses and the role of atmospheres. We conclude by arguing that highlighting specific senses by athletes is a cultural practice that calls for a holistic analysis of senses in sport, and outline some methodological implications for research on the senses.
Privačių veikėjų poveikis mokytojams rengti Švedijoje. Švietimo politikos mobilumo tinklo etnografijos tyrimas
Authors: Player-Koro Catarina , Beach Dennis
Published: January 2018

Švietimo politikos tinklai sudaro tokią švietimo sistemos valdymo formą, į kurią įtraukti ir kartu veikia tiek viešojo, tiek privataus sektoriaus dalyviai. Švietimo politikos kūrimas pasitelkiant švietimo politikos tinklus sudarė sąlygas tokiam švietimo politikos procesui, kuris tampa vis labiau išskirstytas ir akivaizdžiai nematomas. Daug švietimo srityje dirbančių verslo įmonių yra integrali šių švietimo politikos procesų dalis. Jos parduoda švietimo politikos idėjas mokykloms ir universitetams bei veikia kaip patarėjai, vertintojai, paslaugų teikėjai ir tyrėjai arba konsultantai tokiomis sąlygomis, kai švietimo praktika vis labiau įgyja prekinį pobūdį (Ball, 2009; Burch, 2006; DiMartino & Scott, 2013). Šiame straipsnyje nagrinėjamas vienas iš specifinės privačios švietimo ir mokymo konsultantų agentūros veiklos ir santykių pjūvių; ta veikla ir santykiai yra susiję su specifine problema, pastaruoju metu keliančia daug diskusijų Švedijoje. Ši problema – žema motyvacija įgyti mokytojo profesiją, o šios problemos priežastimis dažniausiai laikomi debatai viešojoje žiniasklaidos erdvėje apie žemą mokytojo profesijos statusą. Tyrimo tikslas – remiantis šio specifinio atvejo analize parodyti, kaip švietimo sektoriaus privatizacija vyksta per švietimo srityje veikiančių verslo įmonių veiklą ir jų įtraukimą į įvairių institucijų ir viešųjų organizacijų veiklą. Tyrimo metodologinis dizainas – tinklo etnografija. Šis metodas gali būti pritaikomas tiriant, kaip mūsų dienomis organizacijos ir asociacijos dirba paveiktos globalizacijos ir įvairios visuomenės veiklos skaitmeninimo procesų (Ball, 2012; Howard, 2002). Šiame straipsnyje parodome, kad švietimo politikos tinklai ir gali, ir iš tiesų turi poveikį švietimo politikos rezultatams. Tai vyksta per procesą, kurio metu Švedijos mokytojų rengimo politika virsta preke, ir tai turi padarinių tiek mokytojo vaidmeniui, tiek nacionalinei švietimo sistemai. Privatūs paslaugų teikėjai (tokie kaip antai „Ed-Tech“ konsultacijų įmonė) tapo įprastu būdu suprekinti švietimo sistemą. Tai reiškia, kad identifikuoti tinklai turi būti suprantami kaip plėšrūs ir pelnyjantys iš esamų problemų, kurių radosi dėl kitų priežasčių ir kurios egzistavo kitose sistemose. Todėl šiuo požiūriu jų ryšys su švietimu, kuriam jie teigia duodantys naudos, yra aiškiai parazitinis, bet ne labdaringas.
Micro-Loans and Household Economies: Evidence in Indonesia
Authors: Suratini S.
Published: January 2018

Micro-loans intended to improve household economies are a fascinating subject for research because a comparative analysis of before and after taking micro-loans would result in a bias selection. Households have different prior conditions from one another, so the difference found during the study is not entirely due to receiving micro-loans. There is a risk of moral hazard risk due to asymmetric information. This research adopts the double difference (DD) fixed effects method to estimate the extent of micro-loans’ impact. Results indicate that micro-loans are significantly influencing the household economies. The impact size was relatively small that it was not apparent during regression. As an implication, micro-loans intended for productive purposes can help improve household economic conditions. Effective and sustainable monitoring and counsel can minimize the risk of moral hazard.DOI: 10.15408/sjie.v7i1.5954
Wage Inequality and Return to Education in Indonesia: Quantile Regression Analysis
Authors: Widyanti Restuning Dyah
Published: January 2018

It is essential to the government to recognize the factors causing the increasing trend of income inequality in Indonesia since the Gini coefficient increased between 1996 and 2016. Moreover, wage inequality, which represented by high percentile and low percentile of income, also shows widening gap since 2003. This study focuses on the factors of wage inequality acceleration through the supply side approach that follows the Mincerian wage equation model. Specifically, this paper aims to investigate the association between the return to education and wage inequality in Indonesia. The quantile regression method is applied to compute the return on the investment at different points of the wage distribution. The main finding is that education contributes to an increasing wage inequality due to the significant variation in the rate of return to education in different quantile and as increasing wage dispersion within the same education.DOI: 10.15408/sjie.v7i1.6071
The Effect of Air Transportation on Regional Economic Development: Evidence from Indonesian Regencies
Authors: Aunurrofik A.
Published: January 2018

This study aims to examine the importance of air transportation on regional development in Indonesia as an archipelago and developing country. Using cross-section dataset in regencies level and multiple regression analysis, we found that the number of flight, air passenger, and air cargo give positive and significant impact on regional per capita income. The effect of air cargo is the strongest, which imply that airport will provide the more substantial impact on regional economic growth if the airport is intended to use for trade and business activities. The motivations of regency to have an airport are if Regency is an independent island, manufacturing industry with its high-skilled and mid-skilled workers, and tourism sector.DOI: 10.15408/sjie.v7i1.6178
Subsistema coparental: Revisão sistemática de estudos empíricos
Authors: Batista da Costa Crístofer , Rodrigues Machado Mariana , Cunha Schneider Mariana , Pereira Mosmann Clarisse
Published: January 2018

Estudos sobre coparentalidade são recentes no Brasil, embora a literatura científica investigue o construto há mais de quatro décadas e confirme sua relevância à pesquisa e a clínica psicológica. Objetivou-se analisar as características metodológicas, os objetivos e os resultados de estudos empíricos sobre coparentalidade. Trata-se de uma revisão sistemática de artigos científicos no período 2007-2016 no Portal BVS e nas bases PsycINFO e Web of Science por meio dos termos coparentalidade e aliança parental. Com base nos critérios de inclusão, 29 artigos foram selecionados para análise. Verifica-se que as pesquisas investigam a coparentalidade por meio de pesquisa quantitativa, longitudinal e explicativa. Apontam a multiplicidade de perspectivas de investigação da coparentalidade que pode estar associada aos questionamentos que ainda buscam ser respondidos e refletir as diferentes formas de compreender os processos familiares e as repercussões no indivíduo e no casal. São discutidos resultados relevantes aos profissionais da clínica e aos pesquisadores.