bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Traduction du référentiel du vieillissement actif au Québec et enjeux d’activation du vieillir
Authors: Marchand Isabelle
Published: June 2019

À partir d’une analyse documentaire, cet article expose le développement historique du référentiel du vieillissement actif et sa traduction dans la province du Québec (Canada). Au regard de ce cadre référentiel, trois types de politiques d’activation du vieillissement sont identifiées : celles ayant trait à l’allongement des carrières et des mesures graduelles de sortie d’emploi ; celles concernant la prise en charge des proches ; celles à propos de la participation sociale. La discussion met l’accent sur les rapports de pouvoir véhiculés à travers les discours sous-jacents au vieillir actif, ainsi que sur la notion d’activité. La conclusion propose un changement de paradigme, d’un référentiel d’activation du vieillissement vers un référentiel en mesure de mieux prendre en charge les fragilités de l’avancée en âge.
Réformer les législations d’exception. Étude d’un projet de l’État-Major des armées (1968-1971)
Authors: Gal Sébastien Le
Published: June 2019

La France dispose d’un arsenal de législations d’exception très fourni, résultat de son histoire. Or, ces législations, outre les interrogations théoriques qu’elles suscitent, soulèvent des difficultés dans leur mise en œuvre, résultant de leur manque de cohérence et de leur inadaptation aux progrès technologiques comme aux menaces, extérieures et intérieures, sans cesse changeantes. Pour autant, leur réforme, souvent souhaitée, soulève des difficultés, comme l’éclaire l’étude d’un projet inédit, entrepris à la fin des années 1960, conservé dans les archives de l’État-Major des armées.
Business Models of Sustainable Open Educational Resources (OER)
Authors: Wang Shouhong
Published: June 2019

This article conceptualizes four business models for sustainable open education resources (OER) at four levels: the social level, the education institutional level, the OER community level, and the individual faculty member level. The business model at each of the four levels has its application realm. At the social level, social benefits of OER are the central motivation of the OER movement. At the institutional level, education institutions are facing challenges of student enrollment increase. At the OER community operational level, communities of practice must be established. At the individual faculty member level, the key players of OER must take effective actions for OER. Sustainable OER can be achieved only when the stakeholders at the four levels collaborate towards the common objective of sustainable value creation. The comprehensive set of business models can be used for all parties involved in OER to define and implement strategies for sustainable OER. The article also provides recommendations for future research into tests of the conceptualized business models for sustainable OER.
Dynamic Relationship Between Stock Market Sector Indices and Macroeconomic Variables in India
Authors: Gupta Neeru , Kumar Ashish
Published: June 2019

This study investigates the long-term and short-term relationships between selected macroeconomic variables and the selected Indian stock market sector indices over the period of 2010 to 2017. The Johansen Co-integration Test, the Vector error correction model (VECM), is applied to calculate the long-term and short-term relationship between sector indices and macroeconomic variables. It is found that stock prices are exposed to macroeconomic factors, but the level of sensitivity is different in different sectors. Out of five sectors taken in the study, it is found that only the realty sector has long run relationship with macroeconomic variables. Other sectors have no long run relationship with macroeconomic variables. Along with this, it is also found that the Auto index has a significant short-term positive relationship with gold prices and the FMCG sector index has a significant short-term positive relationship with industrial production. The consumer price index and exchange rate have significant short run relationship with realty sector index.
Adaptive Mobile Sink for Energy Efficient WSN Using Biogeography-Based Optimization
Authors: Kaushik Ajay , Indu S. , Gupta Daya
Published: June 2019

Early death of cluster heads (CHs) located near the sink due to excessive data relay load causes energy holes in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). A widely adopted solution to energy hole problem is to divide the deployment region into multiple sub regions and use mobile sink (MS) to aggregate data from each sub-region. However, inside a sub-region, CHs close to MS dissipate their energy quickly and die despite of the sink mobility. The authors map the problem of distributing data relay load optimally to multiple CHs and locating MS near these multiple CHs using metaheuristic algorithm biogeography-based optimization (BBO). Furthermore, there is a need of optimum routing of data to the MS inside each sub-region of a MS WSN. Proposed mobile sink distributed load routing algorithm (MSDR-BBO) selects the optimum routing CHs in MS WSN as per data transfer requirements of sensor nodes (SNs) and CHs. MSDR-BBO is validated using Matlab simulation as well as Netsim emulator, and it outperforms latest MS WSN algorithms like nested routing, SENMA, and CMS2TO by 4.6%, 11.7%, and 17.4%, respectively.
Delivering Value in Procurement With Robotic Cognitive Automation (RCA) Services
Authors: Teli Ruchira , Prasad Suneel Kumar
Published: June 2019

Organizations are applying digitalization to increasing amounts of different organizational processes. The procurement sector is also changing and actively seeking better ways to enhance performance such as the automation of workflow processes, for example, robotic process automation (RPA). To meet this clear demand, the automation of workflow processes in organizations has been a rising trend during the past few years. The author analyzes the potential of RPA along with the cognitive technologies robotic cognitive automation-based (RCA) value creation through knowledge work digitalization in the procurement sector.
On the Uncertainty Control in the Complex Multiphysics Systems in the Task of Multi-Scale Stochastic GHG and Carbon Balance Modeling
Authors: Kostyuchenko Yuriy , Kozlova Anna , Movchan Dmytro , Sedlerova Olga , Yuschenko Maxim
Published: June 2019

The problem of uncertainty analysis in complex multi-component systems is considered. The problem of decision making with uncertainty in tasks modeling carbon balance and the analysis of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions using satellite tools was considered. Approaches to decision making under uncertainty are described in terms of interval, fuzzy, and stochastic assessments. Different approaches and algorithms to calculate carbon and GHG emissions are described. For every algorithm, errors and uncertainties are analyzed and estimated. Algorithms for uncertainty analysis based on integrated interlinked models of the system are presented. Algorithms for the analysis of components of vegetation productivity assessment using satellite data are proposed. Uncertainty component analysis allows the understanding of important properties of the system studied, and its feedback as to its anthropogenic load and impact on the climate. It was demonstrated that the comprehensive analysis of uncertainties allows not only the reduction of errors, but new knowledge about the studied systems.
A Secure MANET Routing Protocol for Crisis Situations
Authors: Jaatun Martin Gilje , Nyre Åsmund Ahlmann , Tøndel Inger Anne
Published: June 2019

Emergency and rescue operations are often carried out in areas where the network infrastructure cannot be relied on for message exchange between first responders. Since a fundamental feature of a Mobile Ad Hoc Network is the ability to operate independently of existing infrastructure, it is deemed a well-suited solution to first responders scenarios. In this article, the authors describe a security extension to the OLSR routing protocol specifically designed for first responder scenarios. The proposed protocol provides node authentication and access control using asymmetric encryption and digital certificates, and also offers a secure group communication scheme. A link encryption scheme is devised to allow for efficient encryption of data even in broadcast mode, without the need for a network-wide shared key. By utilising pairwise symmetric keys for link confidentiality, the authors' solution is both efficient and scalable.
Legitimacy of Crowdfunding
Authors: Cha Jiyoung
Published: June 2019

The inherent characteristics of entrepreneurs and video games render it challenging to establish the legitimacy of crowdfunding projects for video games. This study identifies actors of legitimacy of crowdfunding projects and examines how those actors of legitimacy influence performance of crowdfunding campaigns for video games. To address this, this study analyzed 429 crowdfunding campaigns launched to develop video games. The results indicate that the legitimacy established by the entrepreneur and the product is more important than the legitimacy established by third parties.
Managing Product Complexity and Variety for Operational Performance through an Integrated Green Supply Chain
Authors: Galahitiyawe Nilakshi W. K. , Jayakody J. A. R.
Published: June 2019

The aim of this study is to examine the impact of product variety and product complexity on firm’s operational performance when they are operating in a globally connected green supply chain. A survey utilizing a self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 161 frontend merchandisers of apparel manufacturing firms in Sri Lanka. The results indicate that the relationship between product variety and operational performance is fully mediated by green supply chain management while the relationship between product complexity and operational performance is partially mediated by green supply chain management. Thus, organisations that operate dynamic product portfolios (i.e., a variety of complex products) need green supply chain management practices to improve operational performance. This study emphasises the complementary application of the resource based view with coordination theory to explain how resources of the firm should be allocated and coordinated with regard to variety and complexity.
Earnings Management and Ownership Structure: Evidence from Sri Lanka
Authors: Anwar Hassan , Buvanendra S.
Published: June 2019

The main purpose of this study is to examine the impact of ownership structure on earnings management considering listed firms at the Colombo Stock Exchange – Sri Lanka during the period of 2013/14 to 2017/18. Earnings management is measured using discretionary accruals as a proxy based on Kothari, Leone and Wesley (2005) performance adjusted discretionary accrual model, while taking into account the four types of ownership structures, viz, ownership concentration, managerial ownership, institutional ownership and foreign ownership. The study employed pooled OLS regression. The findings of the study reveal that managerial and institutional ownership structures are effective in constraining accruals manipulations. Conversely, foreign ownership is found to have a significantly positive association with earnings management. The outcomes of the paper further widen the literature related to understanding the influences of ownership structure on earnings management in the context of emerging economies.
Evaluating transformation progress of historically disadvantaged South Africans: Programme perspective on the downstream petroleum industry
Authors: Makiva Msuthukazi , Ile Isioma , Fagbadebo Omololu M.
Published: June 2019

Background: Since the dawn of democracy in 1994, the South African (SA) government has sought to ensure economic transformation of historically disadvantaged people, using a series of programmes and projects. The petroleum downstream of SA, regulated by the Department of Energy, is among the industries that government uses to maximise transformation. Through a licensing sub-programme, one major condition stipulated prior to awarding licences to operate is the inclusion of historically disadvantaged South Africans in the business plans.Objectives: This article evaluates the extent to which one of the sub-programmes developed to empower historically disadvantaged South Africans (HDSA) in the downstream petroleum industry (petroleum licensing) meets the requirements of the identified relevant evaluation criteria, based on the guidelines of the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (DAC/OECD).Method: This sub-programme (partial summative evaluation) is critical as it sought to determine its alignment to the tenets of government policy of addressing past inequity by means of economic ownership. The DAC/OECD evaluation criteria were selected to measure the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability of the sub-programme. The justification for using this model is that it is appropriate to public policy response and management tool, especially for developing countries. Some of these measurements were conducted qualitatively, while some were done quantitatively.Results: Emerging data trends analysed indicate that there is a great deal of efficiency in the delivery of licences to operate in the downstream petroleum sector as these were issued in high volumes. The same cannot be said about the HDSAs’ economic empowerment, by means of ‘dealer’ and ‘company’ ownership.Conclusion: Research concludes that the lack of critical resources, such as funding, land, infrastructure and critical skills, were the main reasons why the sub-programme is DAC/OECD non-compliant.
Exploring linkages between transport and disaster risk reduction in South Africa: A review of literature
Authors: Chakwizira James
Published: June 2019

Transport systems, network densities, design capacities and constraints (including levels of service expressed in terms of quantity and quality) are central to disaster risk logistics, mitigation and adaptation. Using a desktop literature review method, this study analysed headline disaster risk issues in the transport sector of South Africa. The analysis indicated that implementation gaps exist in terms of the operating policy, institutional and legislative framework. The gaps were located at different spheres of government and expressed themselves at different scales. The end result of the disjuncture was a compromised disaster risk reduction service delivery environment. Although existing platforms constitute a good starting point for tackling disaster risk in the transport sector, the article argues that this is not enough. A transport and disaster risk reduction atlas and implementation roadmap are advanced as one way of contributing towards a better transport and risk reduction agenda in South Africa.
Are peri-urban land transactions a disaster in the making? A case of Are peri-urban land transactions a disaster in the making? A case of Domboshava, Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
Authors: Ingwani Emaculate
Published: June 2019

Peri-urban communal areas close to bourgeoning cities in sub-Saharan Africa are increasingly under various disaster threats, from social, environmental and institutional perspectives, as a result of urbanisation and migration. Residents of these communal areas have taken land matters into their hands, which leads to diverse land transactions. This study aimed to emphasise risks and hazards arising from land transactions taking place in a peri-urban zone of Domboshava, Zimbabwe, situated close to Harare, the capital city. Land transactions in this area include land exchanges through buying, renting and, in some cases, land grabbing. Because land transactions are on the increase in Domboshava, risks and hazards could potentially develop in social, environmental and institutional terms. Appropriate planning techniques and principles are solely needed to avoid potential disasters.
Самосогласованный подход к решению проблемы образования кристаллических решеток в электронно-дырочной плазме
Authors: Voronkova Tatiana Olegovna , Sarry Aleksandr Mikhailovich , Sarry Mikhail Fedorovich , Skidan Svetlana Grigog'evna
Published: June 2019

Гамильтониан Хаббарда для электронов $ns$-зон атомов кристалла преобразован в электронно-дырочный гамильтониан с помощью операторов Шибы. Этот гамильтониан используется для изучения поведения электронно-дырочной системы в зависимости от значений ее внутренних и внешних параметров. Показано, что в данной двухкомпонентной системе, в отличие от однокомпонентной электронной системы, нет условий для возникновения структурных фазовых переходов.
Суперпозиция запутанных когерентных состояний: физическая реализация и свойства
Authors: Miry Seyedeh Robabeh
Published: June 2019

Непрерывные запутанные состояния и особенно запутанные когерентные состояния привлекают все большее внимание исследователей в области квантовой обработки информации; характерные особенности суперпозиции квантовых состояний можно найти в литературе. На основе этих значительных результатов вводится и исследуется особая суперпозиция многочастичных запутанных когерентных состояний. Доказано, что такую суперпозицию можно генерировать, используя схему свободно бегущего оптического поля. С помощью геометрической меры запутанности исследуется корреляционное поведение суперпозиции состояний.
Обобщение дираковского сопряжения в супералгебраической теории спиноров
Authors: Monakhov Vadim Valerievitch
Published: June 2019

В супералгебраическом представлении спиноров, использующем грассмановы плотности и производные по ним, введено обобщение дираковского сопряжения, обеспечивающее лоренц-ковариантные преобразования сопряженных спиноров. Показано, что сигнатура обобщенных гамма-матриц и их количество, а также разложение вторичного квантования по импульсам задаются вариантом обобщенного дираковского сопряжения и требованием сохранения при преобразованиях спиноров и сопряженных спиноров их алгебры канонических антикоммутационных соотношений.
Геометрическое построение решений строгой $\mathbf h$-иерархии
Authors: Helminck Gerard F
Published: June 2019

Пусть $\mathbf h$ - комплексная коммутативная подалгебра матриц размера $n\times n$ в алгебре $M_n (\mathbb{C})$. В алгебре $MPsd$ матричных псевдодифференциальных операторов с дифференцированием $\partial$ ранее нами были рассмотрены деформации алгебры $\mathbf h[\partial]$ и ее подалгебры Ли $\mathbf h[\partial]_{>0}$, состоящей из элементов без свободного члена. Оказалось, что различные эволюционные уравнения для генераторов этих двух деформированных алгебр Ли являются совместными наборами уравнений Лакса и определяют соответственно $\mathbf h$-иерархию и ее строгую версию. В настоящей работе с каждой иерархией ассоциируется $MPsd$-модуль, представляющий возмущения вектора, связанного с тривиальным решением каждой иерархии. В каждом модуле описываются так называемые матричные волновые функции, которые напрямую ведут к решениям уравнений Лакса. Представлена связь между матричными волновыми функциями $\mathbf h$-иерархии и ее строгой версии, использующаяся для построения решений последней. Геометрические данные, с помощью которых строятся волновые функции строгой $\mathbf h$-иерархии, образуют плоскость $W$ в грассманиане $Gr(H)$ и представляют собой множество $n$ линейно независимых векторов $\{w_i\}$ в $W$ и подходящим образом выбранные обратимые отображения $\delta\colon S^1\to\mathbf h$, где $S^1$ - единичный круг в $\mathbb{C}^*$. В частности, показано, что действие соответствующей группы потоков может быть поднято с $W$ на другие данные и этот подъем оставляет построенные решения строгой $\mathbf h$-иерархии инвариантными. Для $n>1$ при фиксированных $W$ и $\{w_i\}$ могут существовать различные решения строгой $\mathbf h$-иерархии. Показано, что они связаны друг с другом сопряжением с обратимыми матричными
дифференциальными операторами.
Beyond “Read More”: An Intervention to Improve Faculty Written Feedback to Learners
Authors: Zelenski Amy B. , Tischendorf Jessica S. , Kessler Michael , Saunders Scott , MacDonald Melissa M. , Vogelman Bennett , Zakowski Laura
Published: June 2019

Background

High-quality feedback is necessary for learners' development. It is most effective when focused on behavior and should also provide learners with specific next steps and desired outcomes. Many faculty struggle to provide this high-quality feedback.

Objective

To improve the quality of written feedback by faculty in a department of medicine, we conducted a 1-hour session using a novel framework based on education literature, individual review of previously written feedback, and deliberate practice in writing comments.

Methods

Sessions were conducted between August 2015 and June 2018. Participants were faculty members who teach medical students, residents, and/or fellows. To measure the effects of our intervention, we surveyed participants and used an a priori coding scheme to determine how feedback comments changed after the session.

Results

Faculty from 7 divisions participated (n = 157). We surveyed 139 participants postsession and 55 (40%) responded. Fifty-three participants (96%) reported learning new information. To more thoroughly assess behavioral changes, we analyzed 5976 feedback comments for students, residents, and fellows written by 22 randomly selected participants before the session and compared these to 5653 comments written by the same participants 1 to 12 months postsession. Analysis demonstrated improved feedback content; comments providing nonspecific next steps decreased, and comments providing specific next steps, reasons why, and outcomes increased.

Conclusions

Combining the learning of a simple feedback framework with an immediate review of written comments that individual faculty members previously provided learners led to measured improvement in written comments.
Integration and Transformation: A Study of the Sun and the Moon Depicted in the Imagery of Fuxi and Nüwa
Authors: Zhao Jinchao
Published: June 2019

The present research focuses on the depiction of the sun and moon in the imagery of Fuxi and Nüwa during the Han and Wei-Jin periods. Through typological and iconographical approaches, it proposes four primary modes in terms of the ways in which the sun and the moon are combined with Fuxi and Nüwa. It contributes to the current field by providing new perspectives for readdressing some issues that remain underexplored. First, it challenges the over-absolute identification of the earliest representation of Fuxi and Nüwa in a pair, and that of Changyi and Xihe, another set of paired deities recorded to be in close relation to the celestial world, in Western Han mural tombs from the Luoyang area, and instead suggests a shift of focus to the recognisable distinctions in visual details, such as the chronological sequence of the application of the first and second modes in the Luoyang Han tomb paintings, and the masculine appearances of both the deities depicted in the Western Han Qianjingtou tomb. Further examinations of the development and dissemination of each mode through the Han and Wei-Jin eras reveals complicated interactions between different regions and exchanges of motif with other forms of imagery. The local tradition of depicting Fuxi and Nüwa, together with that of the depiction of the sun and moon in Nanyang, has been incorporated into the formation of the sun and moon in anthropomorphic representations in the Southwest. Finally, this research proposes that it is more significant to organise the surviving materials through the development and context of each visual element represented in the scene, rather than making an absolute identification based on scattered evidence.
Geir Sigurđsson: Confucian Propriety and Ritual Learning: A Philosophical Interpretation
Authors: Rošker Jana S.
Published: June 2019

Even though the book was published more than three years ago, it is still quite topical and unsurpassed. The Outstanding Book Award, which was presented to it last year by the Society of Professors of Education, was therefore well deserved and not surprising. In this work, Geir Sigurđsson reconstructs the meaning, the role and the manifold significance of the Confucian rituality by considering the spatial and temporal context of the present situation. This does not only mean that he wants to elaborate upon the question of what can Confucian rituality “still” offer to the present humankind, and to select those elements of this rich classical tradition that could prove themselves to be most “useful” and “worthwhile” for such endeavors. It rather means that the author aims to offer the readers his own, often quite topical philosophical insights created upon the inspirational foundations of classical Confucian texts. In this context, he proposes a reconsideration of the notion Li, which belongs to the most controversial concepts in the Confucian thought.
Guest Editor’s Foreword
Authors: Vampelj Suhadolnik Nataša
Published: June 2019

This special issue of the journal Asian Studies is dedicated to the meaning and transformation of Chinese funerary art during the Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE) and the subsequent Wei Jin Nanbei period (220–581 CE).
The Musical Language in Messiaen’s Catalogue d’oiseaux
Authors: Fung Chiat Loo , Fung Ying Loo
Published: June 2019

This paper presents an analysis of Olivier Messiaen’s ‘La Chouette hulotte’ from Catalogue d’oiseaux. The significance of this work lies in the representation of fear by the owls and ‘night’ music. Messiaen’s language of mode de valeurs representing the ‘night’ and the harmonic language of the tawny owl’s calls identifies Messiaen’s music.
Primary Music School Education in Slovenia and Montenegro
Authors: Zadnik Katarina
Published: June 2019

Comparison of primary music school education in Slovenia and Montenegro showed distinctive historical development. Contemporary education lasts for 10 years in Slovenia, 9 years in Montenegro. Enrolment in Slovene system is available for 5-year-olds, in Montenegro, for 6-year-olds. Curricula encompass music-theoretical and instrumental subjects, Slovene concept includes more instrumental areas.
Between constructivist and pluralistic modernism - a contribution to the understanding of the Slavko Osterc's circle
Authors: Salmič Kovačič Karmen
Published: June 2019

The theme of this article was inspired by a series of questions that arise to researchers when discussing compositions by musical modernist Slavko Osterc and his pupils from the first half of the 20th century, whose music was neither "tonal" nor extreme "atonal". On the one hand, there is a strong doubt of the Slovenian analysts in the progress (modernity) of the compositional means of the mentioned music, since the works are usually compared with the most extreme solutions of the Second Vienesse School – with atonality, athematicism or twelve-tone technique, and on the other hand the rejection of this music from the Slovenian cultural management in concert performing. The central question that arises is the question of the meaningfulness of such comparison, given that these composers were educated also in Prague and did not want to follow the Schönberg's twelve-tone method.
Fatores associados ao baixo peso ao nascer em uma maternidade pública
Authors: Chermont Aurimery , Miralha Alexandre Lopes , Souza Filho Luiz Euclides Coelho de , Cunha Katiane da Costa
Published: June 2019

Objetivo: Identificar os fatores que interferem no baixo peso ao nascer comparando os recém-nascidos de baixo peso com os de não baixo peso. Método: Estudo caso-controle realizado por meio da aplicação de questionário analisando variáveis demográficas, socioeconômicas e obstétricas. Na análise univariada, obteve-se a distribuição de frequências, medidas de dispersão e de tendência central das variáveis pesquisadas para todo o grupo e para as amostras em separado e realizou-se a análise bivariada para melhor detalhar os fatores de risco. Resultados: Os fatores que interferiram efetivamente no baixo peso ao nascer estatisticamente significantes foram a idade gestacional de 22 a 36 semanas, a idade materna maior ou igual a 35 anos, a renda per capita entre meio e um salário mínimo, a escolaridade materna até o Ensino Fundamental Completo e a internação na gestação. Conclusão: Os resultados permitiram conhecer a realidade local e sinalizam a necessidade de políticas públicas regionais específicas no âmbito da promoção e da educação para a saúde.
Outbreaks of myxomatosis in Egyptian domestic rabbit farms
Authors: Salem H. M. , Morsy E. A. , Hassanen E. I. , Shehata A. A.
Published: June 2019

Myxomatosis is an endemic infectious, severe and often fatal disease of rabbit caused by myxoma virus. In the present study, myxomatosis outbreaks were reported in 7 domestic rabbit farms in Egypt. Rabbits showed oedema of the eyelids, facial oedema and blepharoconjunctivitis. The morbidity and lethality rates were 18-100% and 20-80%, respectively. The myxomatosis diagnosis was based on histopathology, virus isolation on rabbit kidney cell line (RK-13), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequence analysis. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of epidermal hyperplasia, dermal necrosis and intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusion bodies. The virus was isolated on RK-13 cells and induced cytopathic effect. Using PCR, a band of 471 base pair corresponding to the M071L gene was amplified from extracted DNA. Sequence alignment of four out of the 7 isolates revealed that these isolates were 98-99% identical to European and Australian rabbit myxoma reference viruses. In conclusion, rabbit myxomatosis outbreaks and virus isolation procedures are reported herein for the first time in Egypt. Preventive policies against disease circulation should be adopted by the national authorities.
Nano selenium treatment effects on thyroid hormones, immunity and antioxidant status in rabbits
Authors: Eid Sherif Yousif , El-Zaher Hussein Mustafa , Emara Sana Sayed , Farid Omar Abdel-Hamed , Michael Michael Ibrahim
Published: June 2019

The present study was conducted to compare the effect of Nano-Selenium (Nano-Se) and sodium selenite (SSe) on antioxidant enzyme activity, immunity and thyroid activity of growing New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits. In this study, 72 male rabbits (5 wk old) were divided randomly into 3 groups (24 rabbits each). The first group served as a placebo; in groups 2 and 3, each rabbit was intramuscularly injected once a week with 4 mL solution of Nano-Se or SSe, respectively, for a 2-mo period. The solution was adjusted to provide 30 μg Se/kg/live body weight. Results showed that Nano-Se treatment significantly (P<0.0001) increased in superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione (GSH) more than control, but decreased significantly each of glutathione disulphide (GSSG) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in serum. Likewise, supplementation of SSe increased (P<0.0001) GPx activity and significantly decreased both malondialdehyde (MDA) and GSSG levels more than control. Nano-Se significantly enhanced serum IgG and IgM more than SSe and control groups. Serum aspartate aminotransferase increased (P<0.0001) due to Nano-Se treatment as compared to control and SSe, although the lowest (P<0.0001) activity of alanine aminotransferase was recorded due to SSe supplementation. Nano-Se treatment increased (P<0.0001) both T3 and T4 concentrations more than other groups. Furthermore, administration of Nano-Se increased SOD, GPx, GSH, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in liver tissue of growing rabbits, while it decreased MDA and 8-hydroxy-2’deoxyguanosine (8-oHdG) levels in liver tissue compared with control. Also, SSe showed an increase (P<0.0001) in GSH, and ATP, but significantly decreased TAC and MDA levels compared with control. It can be concluded that Nano-Se supplementation significantly enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes in both serum and liver tissues, with a greater positive influence on immunoglobulin production and thyroid activity in growing NZW rabbits than SSe.
Qualidade de vida comparada: alunos da escola pública e privada
Authors: Fialho Lia Machado Fiuza
Published: June 2019

Objetivou-se avaliar comparativamente a Qualidade de Vida infantil no contexto de duas escolas, uma pública e outra privada, na ótica da própria criança e correlacioná-la com o seu rendimento escolar. Os dados foram obtidos mediante o questionário Autoquestionnaire Qualité de Vie Enfant Imagé, acrescido de quatro perguntas abertas e do histórico escolar. O teste padronizado foi respondido por 90 crianças das escolas pesquisadas de Fortaleza, Ceará. Para analisar os resultados, recorreu-se ao programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences e à análise de conteúdo. Comprovou-se que os discentes possuíam Qualidade de Vida satisfatória e que os alunos da escola privada apresentaram melhor índice que os da pública. A Qualidade de Vida não interferiu no rendimento escolar.
Estratégias para a permanência na educação básica e na educação superior
Authors: Fossatti Paulo , Jung Hildegard Susana
Published: June 2019

O tema deste artigo se dedica ao debate sobre estratégias da permanência na Educação Básica e Educação Superior. O objetivo consiste em discorrer a respeito de estratégias de boas práticas para a permanência de estudantes. A Metodologia recupera análise de literatura e análise documental de órgãos governamentais brasileiros e pesquisas de rankings mundiais, incluindo dados quantitativos. Os resultados focam para as seguintes estratégias: Valorização do Saber da Experiência; Educação para a Produção de Sentido; Consolidação das Políticas do Ministério da Educação (MEC) na parceria Escola-Universidade; Definição de Política de formação inicial e continuada docente; Valorização da Profissão Docente; e Humanização das relações educacionais. A complexidade do tema exige amplo debate no envolvimento de todos os atores partícipes dos processos educativos. Somente com efetivas políticas públicas em educação poderemos garantir melhores índices, percentuais e maior valor agregado, tangível e intangível na esfera educacional.
A função da escrita na formação inicial de professores: a tradição e a inovação no ensino de língua portuguesa
Authors: Pietri Emerson
Published: June 2019

A produção de conhecimentos linguísticos fundamenta propostas de renovação no ensino de língua portuguesa, no Brasil, desde os anos finais da década de 70 do século XX. A necessidade de renovação polemiza com discursos pedagógicos considerados tradicionais, referenciados em concepções prescritivas de uso da língua. Neste trabalho, objetiva-se conhecer os efeitos que concepções concorrentes de linguagem e de ensino de língua portuguesa produzem na formação inicial de professores. Os dados foram produzidos em processos enunciativos em que a escrita constituiu um dispositivo de elaboração e de reflexão, pelo docente formador e pelos licenciandos, a respeito de concepções de linguagem e de docência. A análise dos dados evidenciou os efeitos do discurso pedagógico escolar tradicional sobre os modos de apropriação, pelos professores em formação inicial, de enunciados produzidos pelas ciências da linguagem. Os resultados apontam ainda a relevância da materialidade da escrita para o trabalho de formação docente desenvolvido em bases dialógicas.
Pretransplant ascites or encephalopathy and their influence on survival and liver graft rejection in alcoholic cirrhosis disease
Authors: Legaz Isabel , Bolarin Jose M. , Campillo Jose A. , Moya Rosa M. , Luna Aurelio , Osuna Eduardo , Minguela Alfredo , Sanchez-Bueno Francisco , Alvarez Maria Rocio , Muro Manuel
Published: June 2019

Introduction

The Child-Pugh and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores are widely used to predict the outcomes of liver transplant (LT). Both have similar prognostic values in most cases, although their benefits might differ in some specific conditions. The aim of our study was to analyze the influence of pre-transplant ascites and encephalopathy in post-transplant liver rejection development and survival in alcohol cirrhosis (AC) patients undergoing LT to determine the usefulness of the Child-Pugh score for the assessment of prognosis in such patients.

Material and methods

Two hundred and eighty-one AC patients, classified according to viral infections and pre-transplant complications, were analyzed. Acute (AR) and chronic (CR) liver rejections and Child-Pugh, MELD and albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) scores were studied in all cases.

Results

Similar AC rejection percentages were observed in ascites or encephalopathy groups (18.5% and 16.5%, p = 0.735), although a higher but not statistically significant AC rate was observed in patients with grade III ascites (p = 0.777) and with grade II encephalopathy (p = 0.089). Chronic rejection was only developed by 9.1% of AC patients, regardless of the presence of ascites (6.2%) or encephalopathy (5.5%). The presence of ascites and encephalopathy complications did not seem to influence post-transplant survival. Neither the Child-Pugh nor the ALBI score can be considered the best for predicting patient survival in the short or long term.

Conclusions

Ascites and encephalopathy do not seem to influence AC or CR in patient survival, regardless of the presence of viral infections, so in our study neither the Child-Pugh nor ALBI score seems to be the best score to predict the outcomes of these patients.
Associations between the lipid profile and the development of hypertension in young individuals – the preliminary study
Authors: Chruściel Piotr , Stemplewska Paulina , Stemplewski Adam , Wattad Mohamad , Bielecka-Dąbrowa Agata , Maciejewski Marek , Penson Peter , Bartlomiejczyk Marcin A. , Banach Maciej
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Hypertension is the leading direct cause of death in the world and one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Elevated blood pressure (BP) often coexists with lipid disorders and is an additional factor that increases CV risk. Nowadays, we are able to distinguish low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL) subfractions. Except LDL also HDL small subfractions can increase the risk of CV events. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the associations between changes of lipoprotein subfractions and the risk of hypertension development.

Material and methods

In 2-year long study 200 volunteers with normal blood pressure at the age of 19–32 years were included. Each volunteer underwent detailed medical examination, 12-lead electrocardiogram was taken at rest, echocardiogram, lipid subfraction assessment (using Lipoprint®) and two 24-hour BP measurements.

Results

Mean total cholesterol concentration was 189 mg/dl (4.89 mmol/l), with mean LDL concentration of 107 mg/dl (2.77 mmol/l), HDL of 63 mg/dl (1.63 mmo/l), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) of 40 mg/dl (1.04 mmol/l) and triglycerides (TG) of 89 mg/dl (1.00 mmol/l). Subfractions LDL 1–3 were most abundant, LDL 4–5 making up a marginal portion and LDL 6–7 were not observed. Whereas, subfractions HDL 4–6 were most abundant, in lower concentration was present HDL 1–3 and HDL 8–10. We showed that increased systolic blood pressure coreclated significantly with HDL cholesterol concentrations (p = 0.0078), HDL intermediate subgractions (p = 0.0451), with HDL-3 subfraction (p = 0.0229), and intermediate density lipoprotein-A (IDL-A) (p = 0.038). A significant correlation between increased diastolic blood pressure and HDL lipoprotein levels (p = 0.0454) was only observed.

Conclusions

Obtained results indicating correlation between total HDL levels and HDL-3 subfraction concentration (for systolic BP) and the tendency to develop hypertension.
Can close romantic relationships last? The commitment of partners in married and cohabitant couples
Authors: Janicka Iwona Lidia , Szymczak Wiesław
Published: June 2019

Background

Western studies indicate the significance of commitment in close emotional relationships. Interpersonal com-mitment is regarded as a process which is indispensable for building and strengthening close relationships, and is associated with the continuation of relationships between happy or unhappy partners. With this in mind, interpersonal commitment is an important topic for analysis. A theory by Stanley and Markman served as the inspiration for conducting studies on the commitment of partners in permanent relationships in Poland.

Participants and procedure

The results for 260 couples (160 marriages and 100 cohabiting couples) were finally submitted for analysis. All the participants (N = 520) were aged from 19 to 68 (M = 33.01, SD = 11.16). The mean ages of the participants were 31.98 years (SD = 10.95) for women and 34.03 years (SD = 11.30) for men. The Interpersonal Commit-ment Questionnaire (KZI) was used to analyse the perception of the relationships; this is the Polish version of the Commitment Inventory by Stanley and Markman.

Results

The present findings indicate that marriages tend to portend better than cohabitations. The permanence of mar-riage is based on dedication, reflecting the significance of the relationship, and constraint commitment, which regards concern for the partner’s well-being. The latter may hinder partners, especially men, from leaving the relationship.

Conclusions

Studies conducted in Poland tend to produce very similar results to those performed in the US concerning the level of commitment by partners in cohabiting relationships. It may be concluded that the type of commitment is specified more closely by the form of the relationship rather than the socio-cultural conditions in which the cou-ples live.
Spectrum of imaging findings in pulmonary infections. Part 1: Bacterial and viral
Authors: Garg Mandeep , Prabhakar Nidhi , Gulati Ajay , Agarwal Ritesh , Dhooria Sahajal
Published: June 2019

Chest radiography is generally the first imaging modality used for the evaluation of pneumonia. It can establish the presence of pneumonia, determine its extent and location, and assess the response to treatment. Computed tomography is not used for the initial evaluation of pneumonia, but it may be used when the response to treatment is unusually slow. It helps to identify complications, detect any underlying chronic pulmonary disease, and also to characterise complex pneumonias. Although not diagnostic, certain imaging findings may suggest a particular microbial cause over others. Knowledge of whether pneumonia is community-acquired or nosocomial, as well as the age and immune status of the patient, can help us in narrowing the differential diagnoses. The purpose of this article is to briefly review the various pulmonary imaging manifestations of pathogenic organisms. This knowledge along with clinical history and laboratory investigations of the patient may help in guiding the treatment of pneumonia.
The effects of fermented milk products (kefir and yogurt) and probiotic on performance, carcass characteristics, blood parameters, and gut microbial population in broiler chickens
Authors: Ghasemi-Sadabadi Mohammad , Ebrahimnezhad Yahya , Shaddel-Tili Abdolahad , Bannapour-Ghaffari Vahid , Kozehgari Hashem , Didehvar Mirmojtaba
Published: June 2019

Abstract. This study was conducted to determine the effects of fermented milk products
and probiotic on performance, carcass characteristics, blood parameters, and
gut microbial population in broiler chickens. A total of 480 one-day-old
Ross 308 broilers were allocated to 30 floor pens in a completely randomized
design with six treatments, five replicates, and 16 chicks (eight males and
eight females) in each replicate. On the first day, the male and female
chicks were weighed and divided by the feather sexing method so that the
average body weight of chicks was approximately equal in each pen. Treatments
consisted of six groups (including control): group 1 had a basal diet and normal drinking water, group 2 had a basal
diet and probiotics (PrimaLac®) in drinking water as recommended by
the manufacturer, group 3 had a basal diet and 2 % yogurt in drinking water,
group 4 had a basal diet and 4 % yogurt in drinking water, group 5 had a basal diet
and 2 % kefir in drinking water, and group 6 had a basal diet and 4 % kefir in
drinking water. Chemical and microbiological characteristics of kefir and
yogurt were measured after each production. The results showed that 4 %
kefir, yogurt, and probiotic at the recommend level in water improved body
weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio compared with other
groups (P < 0.05). The results indicated that treatment had a
significant effect on the carcass yield, intestinal length, thigh yield, and
abdominal fat in male and female chickens (P < 0.05). There were no
effects on total bacteria population but the lactobacilli and coliform bacteria
populations showed increasing and decreasing trends, respectively, with 4 % kefir, yogurt, and probiotic supplementation at 28 and 42 d (P < 0.05). In
addition, blood glucose and total protein increased when using a high
levels of kefir, yogurt, and probiotic in water, while cholesterol and LDL (low-density lipoprotein)
concentrations were lower in 4 % kefir, yogurt, and probiotic at the
recommended level. Consequently, the results of this study showed that the
use of 4 % kefir, yogurt, and probiotic at recommended level in water
had beneficial effects on the growth performance, intestinal bacteria
population, and blood biochemical parameters in male and female broiler
chickens.
Exploring 2016–2017 surface ozone pollution over China: source contributions and meteorological influences
Authors: Lu Xiao , Zhang Lin , Chen Youfan , Zhou Mi , Zheng Bo , Li Ke , Liu Yiming , Lin Jintai , Fu Tzung-May , Zhang Qiang
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Severe surface ozone pollution over major Chinese cities has become an
emerging air quality concern, raising a new challenge for emission control
measures in China. In this study, we explore the source contributions to
surface daily maximum 8 h average (MDA8) ozone over China in 2016 and 2017,
the 2 years with the highest surface ozone averaged over Chinese cities in
record. We estimate the contributions of anthropogenic, background, and
individual natural sources to surface ozone over China using the GEOS-Chem
chemical transport model at 0.25∘×0.3125∘
horizontal resolution with the most up-to-date Chinese anthropogenic
emission inventory. Model results are evaluated with concurrent surface
ozone measurements at 169 cities over China and show generally good agreement.
We find that background ozone (defined as ozone that would be present in
the absence of all Chinese anthropogenic emissions) accounts for 90 %
(49.4 ppbv) of the national March–April mean surface MDA8 ozone over China
and 80 % (44.5 ppbv) for May–August. It includes large contributions from
natural sources (80 % in March–April and 72 % in May–August). Among
them, biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions enhance MDA8
ozone by more than 15 ppbv in eastern China during July–August, while
lightning NOx emissions and ozone transport from the stratosphere both
lead to ozone enhancements of over 20 ppbv in western China during
March–April. Over major Chinese city clusters, domestic anthropogenic
sources account for about 30 % of the May–August mean surface MDA8 ozone
and reach 39–73 ppbv (38 %–69 %) for days with simulated MDA8 ozone
> 100 ppbv in the North China Plain, Fenwei Plain, Yangtze
River Delta, and Pearl River Delta city clusters. These high ozone episodes
are usually associated with high temperatures, which induce large BVOC
emissions and enhance ozone chemical production. Our results indicate that
there would be no days with MDA8 ozone > 80 ppbv in these major
Chinese cities in the absence of domestic anthropogenic emissions. We find
that the 2017 ozone increases relative to 2016 are largely due to higher
background ozone driven by hotter and drier weather conditions, while
changes in domestic anthropogenic emissions alone would have led to ozone
decreases in 2017. Meteorological conditions in 2017 favor natural source
contributions (particularly soil NOx and BVOC ozone enhancements) and
ozone chemical production, increase the thermal decomposition of peroxyacetyl
nitrate (PAN), and further decrease ozone dry deposition velocity. More
stringent emission control measures are thus required to offset the adverse
effects of unfavorable meteorology, such as high temperature, on surface ozone
air quality.