bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Responses to Self-Disclosure on Liking in Computer-Mediated Communication
Authors: Dai Yue , Shin Soo Yun , Kashian Nicole , Jang Jeong-woo , Walther Joseph B.
Published: August 2015

The relationship between self-disclosure and liking another person is well-known, as is the prevalence and importance of self-disclosure in computer-mediated interactions. The effects of conversation partners’ responses to disclosures are an overlooked issue, implicated but not examined in most previous research. An original experiment examined whether different forms of response to self-disclosure in computer-mediated communication affect liking differently. Participants engaged in dyadic online chat with either their friend or a stranger. An interviewer communicated one of three types of response to another individual’s self-disclosures: reciprocal self-disclosures, compliments, or neutral deflections. Both reciprocal self-disclosure and compliments generated greater liking than did deflection. The effects of response types on attraction did not differ between friends and strangers. The findings indicate the importance of different forms of response to self-disclosure in interpersonal attraction online and the role of responsiveness to disclosure in initial as well as established relationships.
Tilting at a windmill? The conceptual problem in contemporary peace science
Authors: Moore Will H.
Published: August 2015

Peace scientists such as Kenneth Boulding, Ted Gurr, Thomas Schelling, and Charles Tilly were fastidious in their use of abstract concepts free of the political baggage that politicians, policymakers, and pundits necessarily foist upon the terms in the rough and tumble world of politics. Too much contemporary peace science fails to follow their lead. This essay describes this problem and proposes a useful heuristic to help us improve.
The Relationship Among the Six Vocational Identity Statuses and Five Dimensions of Planned Happenstance Career Skills
Authors: Rhee Eunjeong , Lee Bo Hyun , Kim Boyoung , Ha Gyuyoung , Lee Sang Min
Published: August 2015

The current study investigated how the five components of planned happenstance skills are related to vocational identity statuses. For determination of relationships, cluster and discriminant analyses were conducted sequentially on a sample of 515 university students in South Korea. Cluster analysis revealed vocational identity statuses to be divided into six meaningful groups, as the six-cluster model originally proposed by Porfeli, Lee, Vondracek, and Weigold: achieved, searching moratorium, moratorium, foreclosed, diffused, and undifferentiated. Moreover, discriminant analysis indicated that planned happenstance skills differentially discriminated the six vocational identity statuses. The more advanced vocational identity statuses (i.e., achieved and searching moratorium) had higher scores on the assessment of planned happenstance skills than their counterpart, the less advanced group (i.e., diffused and undifferentiated). Implications of the findings were discussed in the context of career counseling intervention (133 words).
Exploring Gender Differences in Charitable Giving
Authors: De Wit Arjen , Bekkers René
Published: August 2015

Women’s philanthropy has drawn much attention during recent years, mostly in studies from the United States or the United Kingdom. Relevant issues are to what extent gender differences in charitable giving exist in another national context and how these differences can be explained. In this study, we examine female and male giving in the Netherlands, using a representative sample of Dutch households ( N = 1,692) from the 2010 wave of the Giving in the Netherlands Panel Survey (GINPS). We conduct bivariate and multivariate regression analyses to test for gender differences and the extent to which they are mediated by values, costs, solicitation, and social pressure. Females turn out to be more likely to give and to give to more different sectors, which can be attributed to their higher prosocial values of empathic concern and the principle of care. Contrary to recent findings in the United States, Dutch males donate higher amounts than Dutch females.
A Critical Review of the Standard Empanelment Process and Identifying Modifications for Improvement
Authors: Gaikwad Sandip , Patil Bharat , Kasat Sachhin , Bhardwaj Geeta , Yadav Pravin , Shukla Kasturi
Published: August 2015

Objective:

To study the standard empanelment process for Provider Management (PM) Department, MD India Healthcare Services (third party administrator (TPA)) Private Limited; to identify improvements in the empanelment process.

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional study conducted through quantitative and qualitative methods. The study was conducted at the head office of MD India Healthcare Services (TPA) Private Limited, Vadgaonsheri, Nagar Road, Pune.

Results:

In addition to the standard criteria of MD India (MDI) for empanelment of hospitals, there are specific criteria for new empanelment which include requirement of the network hospital in that location like a registered hospital with minimum 25 bed strength and hospital having good non-cashless business. For new hospitals to be empanelled, there are two ways: either the hospital approaches the head office/service branch of TPA or the TPA approaches the hospital for empanelment. Our study identifies some modification to improve this empanelment process.

Conclusions:

The aim of TPA is to facilitate insurance process to provide best quality service to patients. The modifications identified in our study will improve the process in many ways.
Economic Evaluation of a Public–Private Mix TB Project in Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Ramaiah Arul Anand , Gawde Nilesh Chandrakant
Published: August 2015

Objective:

This study aims to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a public–private mix (PPM) project with private sector as sole provider of services in an urban area under India’s Tuberculosis (TB) Control Programme in Tamil Nadu.

Methods:

Directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS) was provided exclusively by a non-governmental organization (NGO) in one area which was compared with another area served by public sector. Data on cost and effectiveness were collected from records and interviews of patients. Cost and effectiveness of non-DOTS treatment was based on previous literature and market rates. Costs for 2011 in US$ were assessed for PPM and non-PPM areas with both public provider and societal perspective. Effectiveness was measured as proportion of cases successfully treated.

Results:

Service delivery through private sector alone had limited success in drawing patients to DOTS and majority of TB patients received non-DOTS in the area managed by the NGO. From the public provider perspective, cost per patient treated was US$19 in non-PPM and US$22 in PPM DOTS. From societal perspective, these costs were US$142, US$192 and US$204 for non-PPM DOTS, PPM DOTS and non-DOTS strategies, respectively. Incremental cost-effectiveness analysis found PPM DOTS to be more cost-effective compared to non-DOTS but less cost-effective than non-PPM DOTS.

Conclusion:

In rapidly growing urban areas with lack of public sector infrastructure, engaging private sector is a short-term measure to improve effectiveness of the TB Control Programme. Developing public sector infrastructure is key to long-term success especially in countries where private sector is largely unregulated.
Patient-family Centred Care
Authors: Westbrook Kevin W. , Grant Cori Cohen , Rafalski Ed , Babakus Emin
Published: August 2015

We develop and test a measurement instrument to assess patient-family perceptions of services quality during a critical care service rendering. Our sample consists of patients from medical, surgical and specialty critical care units discharged from a large hospital system. We show that ‘communication and support’, ‘participation’ and ‘tangibles’ are cogent dimensions of our patient-family critical care scale that exhibits internal consistency reliability, convergent and discriminant validity. We examine the predictive validity of the measure by relating its three dimensions to perceived patient-family quality for critical care services. Finally, we discuss the limitations of the study and future research directions.
Reading Perception of the Insured and the Uninsured and Assessment of Factors Influencing Health Insurance Policy Subscription in the Lucknow Region
Authors: Mathur Tanuj , Paul Ujjwal Kanti
Published: August 2015

Health insurance has been acknowledged by researchers as a valuable tool in health financing. In spite its significance, a subscription paralysis has been observed in India for this product. People who possess the economic capacity to afford health insurance products have also been found to be either ignorant or aversive towards it. The present study is designed to investigate three aspects—socio-economic factors, individual health insurance perception and individual behavioural traits—in order to clarify the paradoxes that inhibit people from subscribing to this product. We find that these factors have a significant impact on an individual’s insurance status.
Genetic Risk Factors of Venous Thromboembolism in the East Algerian Population
Authors: Moussaoui S. , Saussoy P. , Ambroise J. , Defour J. P. , Zouitene R. , Sifi K. , Abadi N.
Published: August 2015

Many genetic risk factors have been identified for causing venous thromboembolism (VTE). Most of them affect the function of natural anticoagulant pathways, particularly the protein C system, although recent studies suggest a role of components of the hematopoietic pathway in the etiology of venous thrombosis. In this case–control study, we aimed to determine the frequency of prothrombin G20210A and factor V Leiden (FVL) G1691A polymorphisms and protein C, protein S, and antithrombin III deficiencies in the East Algerian population and to investigate whether these genetic factors are associated with VTE. On the other hand, our study tends to evaluate the status of JAK2V617F and calreticulin (CALR) mutations among these cases. The participants consisted of 121 cases with VTE and 146 healthy controls. Polymorphisms of FVL G1691A and prothrombin G20210A were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment length polymorphism. JAK2-V617F and calreticulin mutations were analyzed by quantitative PCR and PCR followed by capillary electrophoresis sequencing, respectively. Protein C, protein S, and antithrombin levels were determined and then hereditary deficiencies were identified. Of all cases and controls, none was a carrier of the antithrombin III deficiency, prothrombin gene G20210A, and CALR mutations. Only 1 case reported having a positive JAK2 mutation (mutant allele burden was 15%). The FVL mutation (GA/AA) was found in 14 (11.6%) cases and 2 (1.4%) controls and it was significantly different between both the groups ( P = .001). Deficiencies of protein S and protein C were detected in 17 (18.8%) cases. The univariate analysis resulted in a significant impact of FVL (odds ratio [OR] = 9.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.1-42.3; P = .003) and of protein S deficiency (OR = 16.9, 95% CI =2.1-132.8, P = .007) on the VTE status. Both factors stayed significant after adjustment for sex and age. The OR of the protein C deficiency was slightly elevated (OR = 6.4, 95% CI = 0.7-55.5), but it did not reach the level of statistical significance ( P = .091), and it was therefore not considered as a risk factor. In conclusion, coagulant factor V gene G1691A mutation and protein S deficiency constitute important genetic risk factors in patients with VTE in Eastern Algeria. The somatic mutation of JAK2 V617F and CALR mutations are less frequent causes of VTE, thus routine testing for these mutations is not recommended.
Integrative Medical Care Plus Mindfulness Training for Patients With Congestive Heart Failure
Authors: Kemper Kathi J. , Carmin Cheryl , Mehta Bella , Binkley Phillip
Published: August 2015

Congestive heart failure (CHF) has a high rate of morbidity and mortality. It is often accompanied by other medical and psychosocial comorbidities that complicate treatment and adherence. We conducted a proof of concept pilot project to determine the feasibility of providing integrative group medical visits plus mindfulness training for patients recently discharged with CHF. Patients were eligible if they had been discharged from an inpatient stay for CHF within the 12 months prior to the new program. The Compassionate Approach to Lifestyle and Mind–Body (CALM) Skills for Patients with CHF consisted of 8 weekly visits focusing on patient education about medications, diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management; group support; and training in mind–body skills such as mindfulness, self-compassion, and loving-kindness. Over two 8-week sessions, 8/11 (73%) patients completed at least 4 visits. The patients had an average age of 57 years. The most common comorbidities were weight gain, sleep problems, and fatigue. After the sessions, 100% of patients planned to make changes to their diet, exercise, and stress management practices. Over half of the patients who met with a pharmacist had a medication-related problem. Improvements were observed in depression, fatigue, and satisfaction with life. Integrative group visits focusing on healthy lifestyle, support, and skill-building are feasible even among CHF patients and should be evaluated in controlled trials as a patient-centered approach to improving outcomes related to improving medication management, depression, fatigue, and quality of life.
Long‐term functional and radiographic outcomes in 243 operated ankle fractures
Authors: Verhage S. M. , Schipper I. B. , Hoogendoorn J. M.
Published: August 2015

Background

Large comparative studies that have evaluated long‐term functional outcome of operatively treated ankle fractures are lacking. This study was performed to analyse the influence of several combinations of malleolar fractures on long‐term functional outcome and development of osteoarthritis.

Methods

Retrospective cohort‐study on operated (1995–2007) malleolar fractures. Results were assessed with use of the AAOS‐ and AOFAS‐questionnaires, VAS‐pain score, dorsiflexion restriction (range of motion) and osteoarthritis. Categorisation was determined using the number of malleoli involved.

Results

243 participants with a mean follow‐up of 9.6 years were included. Significant differences for all outcomes were found between unimalleolar (isolated fibular) and bimalleolar (a combination of fibular and medial) fractures (AOFAS 97 vs 91, p = 0.035; AAOS 97 vs 90, p = 0.026; dorsiflexion restriction 2.8° vs 6.7°, p = 0.003). Outcomes after fibular fractures with an additional posterior fragment were similar to isolated fibular fractures. However, significant differences were found between unimalleolar and trimalleolar (a combination of lateral, medial and posterior) fractures (AOFAS 97 vs 88, p < 0.001; AAOS 97 vs 90, p = 0.003; VAS‐pain 1.1 vs 2.3 p < 0.001; dorsiflexion restriction 2.9° vs 6.9°, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in isolated fibular fractures with or without additional deltoid ligament injury. In addition, no functional differences were found between bimalleolar and trimalleolar fractures. Surprisingly, poor outcomes were found for isolated medial malleolar fractures. Development of osteoarthritis occurred mainly in trimalleolar fractures with a posterior fragment larger than 5 %.

Conclusions

The results of our study show that long‐term functional outcome is strongly associated to medial malleolar fractures, isolated or as part of bi‐ or trimalleolar fractures. More cases of osteoarthritis are found in trimalleolar fractures.
Isolation, selection and culture methods to enhance clonogenicity of mouse bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cell precursors
Authors: Baustian Claas , Hanley Shirley , Ceredig Rhodri
Published: August 2015

Introduction

Conventionally cultured mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (mBM-MSC) are a heterogeneous population that often initially contain contaminating haematopoietic cells. Variability in isolation methods, culture protocols and the lack of specific mBM MSC markers might explain this heterogeneity. The aim of this study is to optimise the isolation, culture conditions and selection of mBM-MSC.

Methods

Mouse BM-MSCs were isolated from crushed long bones (cBM) or flushed bone marrow (fBM) from 6–8 week old C57Bl/6 mice. These subpopulations were analysed by flow cytometry using commonly used mBM-MSC cell surface marker, e.g. Sca-1, CD29 and CD44. Cells were cultured and expanded in vitro in hypoxic conditions of either 2 % or 5 % oxygen. Cell sorting and qRT-PCR was used to determine transcript levels of stem cell and lineage related genes in individual subpopulations.

Results

During early passaging not only do contaminating haematopoietic cells disappear, but there is a change in the phenotype of mBM-MSC affecting particularly CD44 and Sca-1 expression. By fluorescence activated cell sorting of CD45−/Ter119−mBM stroma based on Sca-1 expression and expansion in hypoxic conditions, we show that Sca-1+cells had higher CFU-F frequencies and showed enhanced proliferation compared with Sca-1−cells. As evaluated by in vitro assays and qRT-PCR, these cells presented in vitro tri-lineage differentiation along osteocyte, chondrocyte, and adipocyte lineages. Finally, by prospective isolation of Sca-1+PDGFRα+CD90+cells we have isolated mBM-MSC on a single cell level, achieving a CFU-F frequency of 1/4. Functional investigations demonstrated that these MSC clones inhibited T-lymphocyte proliferation.

Conclusion

By positive selection using a combination of antibodies to Sca-1, CD90 and PDGFRα and culturing in hypoxia, we have found a subpopulation of BM cells from C57Bl/6 mice with a CFU-F cloning efficiency of 1/4. To our knowledge these results represent the highest frequencies of mouse MSC cloning from C57Bl/6 mice yet reported.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Growth properties at infinity for solutions of modified Laplace equations
Authors: Sun Jianguo , He Binghang , Peixoto-de-Büyükkurt Corchado
Published: August 2015

Let $\mathscr{F}$
F
be a family of solutions of Laplace equations in a domain D and for each $f\in\mathscr{F}$
f
∈
F
, f has only zeros of multiplicity at least k. Let n be a positive integer and such that $n\geq\frac{1+\sqrt{1+4k(k+1)^{2}}}{2k}$
n
≥

1
+

1
+
4
k

(
k
+
1
)

2

2
k

. Let a be a complex number such that $a\neq0$
a
≠
0
. If for each pair of functions f and g in $\mathscr{F}$
F
, $f^{n}f^{(k)}$

f
n

f

(
k
)

and $g^{n}g^{(k)}$

g
n

g

(
k
)

share a value in D, then $\mathscr{F}$
F
is normal in D.
Weak and strong convergence theorems of fixed points for nonexpansive mappings and strongly pseudocontractive mappings in a new class of probabilistic normed spaces
Authors: Xu Yongchun , Guan Jinyu , Su Yongfu
Published: August 2015

The purpose of this paper is to present a new class of probabilistic normed spaces and to study fixed point problems in this class of probabilistic normed spaces. This paper includes the following two contents: (1) The definition of a new class of probabilistic normed spaces, the so-called S-probabilistic normed spaces, is given. In order to study the fixed point problems, some relevant properties of S-probabilistic normed spaces are discussed and some basic useful results are obtained; (2) The notion of probabilistic weak convergence is firstly presented in this paper. Therefore the probabilistic weak and strong convergence theorems of fixed points for nonexpansive mappings, asymptotically nonexpansive mappings and strongly pseudocontractive mappings are also proved by using the new methods and techniques.
Where There's a Will, There's a Way: The Significance of Scribal Variation in Colonial Maya Testaments
Authors: Bricker Victoria R.
Published: August 2015

The Archivo Notarial del Estado in Mérida, Yucatán, contains a large collection of approximately 550 documents in the Maya language from the municipal records of Tekanto, a small town located about 54 kilometers east of Mérida. The earliest Maya documents in the collection bear a 1590 date, and the latest was written in 1835. Of these many documents, 373 are wills or testaments. The collection is particularly rich in wills for the years 1724 to 1759. Only 56 wills mention bequests of property to heirs; the rest are brief, formulaic attestations of belief in the Catholic Church. They vary primarily in the names of the testator and the notary or scribe who wrote the will and in whether the funeral will include a sung or said Mass. There are also variations in how words are spelled in the wills, “errors” that are sometimes quite revealing about the amount of training the scribe received, how much influence a scribe had on his successor (and for how long), and how words were actually pronounced in Maya.
Pipil Writing: An Archaeology of Prototypes and a Political Economy of Literacy
Authors: Sampeck Kathryn E.
Published: August 2015

This article will explore how Pipil writing compares to better-known Central Mexican pictorial manuscripts. The sole evidence for preconquest writing in this region was presented in the seventeenth century by Don Francisco Antonio de Fuentes y Guzmán through his drawings and descriptions in the chronicle Recordación Florida. In the process of re-presentation, these remnants underwent alterations due to clerical errors, interpretive errors, and errors arising from a mixing or blending of texts. The manuscript of Recordación Florida contains images that were never published, erasures, and marginalia. Three writing genres are identifiable, and the content of these writings has an unusual emphasis on ways to represent money and counts of commodities, particularly cacao. The Pipil demonstrated their independence from the Mixtec and Aztec empires through writing by using a distinctive style to record sovereign political and financial affairs, an example of the Mesoamerican emphasis on authority—the ability to inscribe and draw upon and mobilize relevance and meaning—as the foundation for creating and maintaining a lettered polity.
Parallel Nahuatl and Pictorial Texts in the Mixtec Codex Sierra Texupan
Authors: Terraciano Kevin
Published: August 2015

The Codex Sierra Texupan is a sixty-two-page libro de cuentas, or book of community accounts, that combines Nahuatl-language writing with a parallel pictorial component. Indigenous writers and artists in the Mixteca Alta region of the modern state of Oaxaca, Mexico, compiled the book over a fifteen-year period from 1550 to 1564. This article presents some preliminary findings on the interrelationship between the manuscript's pictorial and alphabetic texts as well as observations about its language. The findings are part of a forthcoming transcription, translation, and analysis of this unique manuscript, which reveals how the community of Texupan responded actively and creatively to multiple changes and challenges in the early colonial period.
Language, Catechisms, and Mesoamerican Lords in Highland Guatemala: Addressing “God” After the Spanish Conquest
Authors: Romero Sergio
Published: August 2015

The textual sources of indigenous Christianities in Guatemala embody a complex articulation of native thought, European language ideologies, and the diachronic development of the Christianization of different areas of Mesoamerica. The evangelization of the K'iche' became a model for the construction of pastoral Q'eqchi'. In contrast, the evangelization of the Pipil demanded substantial modifications of Mexican Nahuatl doctrinal language. Mutual intelligibility was not the only requisite to persuade and convert the natives. The local organization of speech genres and the indexical associations they effected were equally crucial. Spanish imperial designs, including Christianization, were global, but the texts that mediated them were woven with local threads. The creation of Christian registers in indigenous languages in Guatemala illustrates the confluence of coercion, resistance, and creativity behind the emergence of colonial indigenous religions.
Dermatoglyphic meta-analysis indicates early epigenetic outcomes & possible implications on genomic zygosity in type-2 diabetes
Authors: Yohannes Seile
Published: August 2015

Background: Dermatoglyphic studies, particularly those arising from the Dutch Hunger Winter Families Cohort, indicate an involvement of prenatal epigenetic insults in type-2 diabetes. However, the exact orchestration of this association is not fully understood. Herein is described a meta-analysis performed based on a belief that such an approach could shed some light as to the role of genetic & epigenetic influences in the etiology of type-2 diabetes.

Methodology/principal findings: The study incorporated reports identified from PubMed, Medline, & Google Scholar databases for eligible case-control studies that assessed dermatoglyphics in type-2 diabetes cases relative to controls. Over 44,000 fingerprints & 2300 palm prints from around 4400 individuals were included in the analysis. Decreased loops patterns [OR= 0.76; 95% CI= (0.59, 0.98)], increased non-loop patterns [OR= 1.31; 95% CI= (1.02, 1.68)], and reduced absolute finger ridge counts [OR= -0.19; 95% CI= (-0.33, -0.04)] were significant findings among the diabetic group. These results are indicative of mild developmental deviances, with epigenetic insults significantly linked to early gestation wherein critical events &signaling pathways of the endocrine pancreas development are witnessed. Further, the increased loop patterns with decreased non-loop patterns were deemed as possible indicators of decreased genomic heterozygosity with concurrently increased homozygosity in the diabetic group, linked to reduced buffering capacities during prenatal development.

Conclusions: Epigenetic insults primarily during the 1st trimester, to a lesser extent between the early-to-mid 2ndtrimester, but least likely linked to those beyond the mid-second trimester are evident in type-2 diabetes. It is recommended that future research aimed at expounding the prenatal origins of T2DM, as well as developing novel therapeutic methods, should focus on the early stages of endocrine pancreatic development.
Descrição da larva de 3º ínstar e redescrição do adulto de Phaedon confinis Klug (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Authors: Milléo Julianne , Albuquerque Felícia Pereira de , Castro Jonathan Pena , Moura Luciano de Azevedo
Published: August 2015

Tendo em vista o potencial de Phaedon confinis Klug como biocontrolador de Senecio brasiliensis Less e a carência do conhecimento taxonômico das espécies de Phaedon registradas para o Brasil, o trabalho teve como objetivos descrever a larva de 3º instar, bem como acrescentar novos caracteres do adulto e ilustrações para o reconhecimento da espécie. As larvas de P. confinis são eruciformes, subcilíndricas, alongadas e ligeiramente convexas; superfície dorsal marrom-escura e ventral com regiões amareladas mais claras; quatro cerdas na fronte; seis estemas arranjados em três grupos; labro marrom, com quatro pares de cerdas; placa pronotal com dez cerdas; região pleural do protórax com tubérculo T; meso- e metatórax com tubérculos Dai e Dae aproximados, mas não fusionados, e tubérculos Es-Ss fusionados entre si e pela linha mediana; garras tarsais simples; abdômen com tubérculo Dae ausente e Dai presente e pouco pronunciado; tubérculos abdominais com duas cerdas em Dpi e Dpe. Adulto com corpo oval e convexo dorsalmente; pronoto e élitros glabros; coloração predominante azul violeta metálica; margens laterais do pronoto arredondadas, castanho-amareladas com mácula central azul-metálica; estrias elitrais com pontuações profundas e ordenadas em oito fileiras longitudinais; regiões castanho-amareladas na cabeça, protórax e pernas; cabeça com duas pequenas máculas pretas ovais, posteriores aos olhos na região do vértice.Description of the 3rd Instar Larva and Characters of Adult Phaedon confinis Klug (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)Abstract. In view of the potential of Phaedon confinis Klug as an biological control agent of the Senecio brasiliensis Less and the lack of taxonomic knowledge of the species Phaedon recorded for Brazil, this paper aimed to describe the 3rd larval instar, redescribe the adult, as well as add new characters and illustrations to acknowledgment of the specie. The P. confinis larvae are eruciform, subcylindrical, elongated and slightly convex; dorsal surface dark brown and ventral surface with yellowish lighter regions; four setae in the front; six stemmata arranged in three groups; brown labrum, with four pairs of setae, pronotal plate with ten setae; pleural region of prothorax with tubercle T; meso- and metathorax with tubercles Dai and Dae close, but not fused, and tubercles Es-Ss fused between themselves by midline; simple tarsal claws; abdomen with tubercle Dae absent and Dai present, little pronounced; abdominal tubercles with two setae in Dpi and Dpe. Adult has oval body and dorsally convex; pronotum and elytral glabrous; predominant colour blue metallic violet; lateral margins of pronotum rounded, yellowish brown with central macula metallic blue, elytral striae with deep punctuation and arranged in eight longitudinal rows; yellowish brown regions on the head, prothorax and legs; head with two small oval black maculae, posterior to the eyes in vertex region.
Annotated Checklist of Aphodiinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) from Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, Brazil
Authors: Silva Pedro Giovâni da
Published: August 2015

An extensive literature review was performed to determine the list of Aphodiinae species reported in Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina states. A total of 35 Aphodiinae species belonging to two tribes and 12 genera have been recorded in southern Brazil. Twenty-nine species (82.8%) were recorded in Santa Catarina and 16 (45.7%) in Rio Grande do Sul. Only nine species (25.7%) were reported to occur in both states. Ataenius Harold, 1867 was the genus with the greatest number of species (20), followed by Saprosites Redtenbacher, 1858 with only three species. Other genera were represented by one or two species. New lists should be made for other Brazilian states.Lista dos Aphodiinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) do Rio Grande do Sul e Santa Catarina, BrasilResumo. Uma extensiva revisão da literatura foi realizada para listar as espécies de Aphodiinae dos estados de Santa Catarina e Rio Grande do Sul. Um total de 35 espécies de Aphodiinae pertencentes a duas tribos e 12 gêneros foi registrado para a região estudada. Vinte e nove espécies (82,8%) foram registradas para Santa Catarina e 16 (45,7%) para o Rio Grande do Sul. Apenas nove espécies (25,7%) foram compartilhadas por ambos os estados. Ataenius Harold, 1867 foi o gênero com o maior número de espécies (20), seguindo por Saprosites Redtenbacher, 1858 com apenas três espécies. Os outros gêneros foram representados por uma ou duas espécies. Novas listas devem ser feitas para outros estados brasileiros.
Hydropsychidae Curtis e Leptoceridae Leach (Insecta, Trichoptera) do Parque Estadual Intervales, Serra de Paranapiacaba, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil
Authors: Moretto Rafael Alberto , Bispo Pitágoras Conceição
Published: August 2015

Este estudo teve como objetivo realizar um levantamento das famílias Hydropsychidae e Leptoceridae (Trichoptera) do Parque Estadual Intervales, um dos últimos remanescentes florestais de Mata Atlântica do Estado de São Paulo. As coletas foram realizadas em diferentes riachos do Parque entre julho de 2010 e agosto de 2013. Foram coletados 2.319 indivíduos machos, totalizando 29 espécies, 17 da família Hydropsychidae e 12 de Leptoceridae. Dentre essas espécies, duas não possuíam registro para o Estado de São Paulo.Hydropsychidae Curtis and Leptoceridae Leach (Insecta, Trichoptera) from Parque Estadual Intervales, Serra de Paranapiacaba, São Paulo State, BrazilAbstract. This study aimed to survey the caddisfly families Hydropsychidae and Leptoceridae from Intervales State Park, one of the last remaining of the Atlantic Rain Forest of São Paulo State. The collections were carried out in several streams between July 2010 and August 2013. Were collected 2,319  males, totaling 29 species, 17 of the Hydropsychidae and 12 of Leptoceridae. Among these species, two had no record for the State of São Paulo.
Ecological Interaction Among Stingless Bees, Ants, and the whitefly Aleurothrixus aepim (Goeldi)
Authors: Alves Luis Henrique , Pereira Sérgio Nogueira , Prezoto Fábio , Cassino Paulo Cesar Rodrigues
Published: August 2015

Many organisms consume honeydew to meet their energy requirements. Some species of stingless bees also consume honeydew secreted by hemipterans. In this study we describe the ecological relationships among stingless bees, ants, and the whitefly [Aleurothrixus aepim (Goeldi)]. In order to do so, we made 30-min observations twice a day, carried out once a week for four weeks in the month of April 2009, in a cassava plantation (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in Valença in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Our results show no necessary dependence between the bees and A. aepim. The presence of ants help protect whiteflies from their natural enemies, A. aepim may be benefited by this interaction and thereby increase their evolutionary success.Interação Ecológica entre Abelhas sem Ferrão, Formigas, e a Mosca Branca Aleurothrixus aepim (Goeldi)Resumo. Muitos organismos consomem honeydew para suprir suas necessidades energéticas. Algumas espécies de abelhas sem ferrão, também utilizam este recurso com esta finalidade.  Com o intuito de descrever a relação ecológica entre abelhas sem ferrão, formigas e mosca branca [Aleurothrixus aepim (Goeldi)], fizemos 30 minutos de observação 2 vezes ao dia, uma vez por semana, durante quatro semanas no mês de abril de 2009, em plantação de mandioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz), em Valença estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Não foi observada uma dependência obrigatória entre abelhas sem ferrão e A. aipim, caracterizando esta relação como comensal. Como a presença de formigas ajuda a proteger os aleirodídeos de seus inimigos naturais, A. aepim pode estar sendo beneficiado por esta interação e com isso, aumentando seu sucesso evolutivo.
The Atlantic outermost regions, the furthest frontiers of Europe?
Authors: Valente Isabel Maria Freitas
Published: August 2015

We set out to examine the importance of the Atlantic outermost in the context of the European Union, focusing on the role it plays as an outermost frontier of the European project, and, even more specifically, the Portuguese Autonomous Regions - the Azores and Madeira.http://dx.doi.org/10.14195/1647-6336_12_4
MATERIAŁY FUNKCJONALNE WYTWARZANE W SKALI PRZEMYSŁOWEJ
Authors: Barska Justyna , Kłysz Sylwester
Published: August 2015

W artykule przedstawiono szeroką gamę zastosowań materiałów funkcjonalnych i skalę ich obecnej produkcji przemysłowej. Są to materiały charakteryzujące się specyficznymi wła-ściwościami, dzięki którym stały się wręcz niezbędne w pewnych rozwiązaniach konstruk-cyjnych. Opisano ich podstawowe charakterystyki, właściwości, metody wytwarzania i zastosowania jako materiały inteligentne.
Functional Materials Produced On An Industrial Scale
Authors: Barska Justyna , Kłysz Sylwester
Published: August 2015

The article presents a wide range of applications of functional materials and a scale of their current industrial production. These are the materials which have specific characteristics, thanks to which they became virtually indispensable in certain constructional solutions. Their basic characteristics, properties, methods of production and use as smart materials were described.
System Research Of Multi-Barrel Machine Guns Installed On Board Of The Helicopter Of Mi-17 Type
Authors: Bęczkowski Grzegorz , Krzonkalla Jarosław , Mordzonek Maj , Rymaszewski Stanisław , Zgrzywa Franciszek
Published: August 2015

This article presents tests of a multi-barreled machine gun system built on board of a helicopter. The described weapon system consists of three 7.62 mm M-134G multi-barreled machine guns built on the designed frames of shooting positions located in the escape hatch window, the side doors and the rear doors of the transport cabin of the Mi-17-1V helicopter.

The article presents basic tactical and technical parameters of the M-134G multi-barreled machine gun as well as detailed placement and equipment of the shooting positions. Secondly, the adopted range and the actual conduct of tests on the system are discussed. Among other things, its reliability, the impact of its work on the operation of the other on-board systems and vice versa as well as the effectiveness of the helicopter protection are analysed and rated. Finally, the results of conducted tests are given, in particular the system’s compliance with the tactical and technical requirements.
Selected Problems In Controlling On-Board Direct And Alternating Current Systems
Authors: Gębura Andrzej , Tokarski Tomasz
Published: August 2015

The article addresses in a complex way the problem of cooperation between the on-board electric power sources of an aircraft with its on-board electric network. The authors paid special attention to conditions related to correct switching of the on-board electric power sources. Structural protection of the electric power sources against harmful impact of loads, and of the loads against incorrectly operating sources, as well as certain methods to counteract such phenomena, are discussed. Exploring these relations will enable the user to undertake actions which can reduce the failure rate of the on-board electrical power network, and ensure power supply to the electrical loads under all flight conditions. Their correct operation determines correct operation of the on-board electrical power network. The authors tried to discuss all the problems in the most universal way possible, so the deliberations presented here could be helpful in analyzing defects in various aircrafts.
Determination Of The Position Of The Optoelectronic Gimbal Using MEMS Sensors
Authors: Sokołowska Justyna , Błaszczyk Janusz
Published: August 2015

The paper describes the use of MinIMU-9 v3 sensors to determine changes in the position of a cheap, stabilised optoelectronic gimbal for unmanned aircraft systems. The sensors calibration process, the influence of temperature changes on their readings, and recommendations that should be considered during assembly were presented.
Various heuristic algorithms to minimise the two-page crossing
numbers of graphs
Authors: He Hongmei , Sălăgean Ana , Mäkinen Erkki , Vrt’o Imrich
Published: August 2015

We propose several new heuristics for the twopage
book crossing problem, which are based on recent
algorithms for the corresponding one-page problem. Especially,
the neural network model for edge allocation is
combined for the first time with various one-page algorithms.
We investigate the performance of the new heuristics
by testing them on various benchmark test suites. It
is found out that the new heuristics outperform the previously
known heuristics and produce good approximations
of the planar crossing number for severalwell-known
graph families. We conjecture that the optimal two-page
drawing of a graph represents the planar drawing of the
graph.
Investigation into the toughening mechanism of epoxy reinforced with multi-wall carbon nanotubes
Authors: Li Xiaoyan , Zhang Wenjing , Zhai Shiwei , Tang Shawei , Zhou Xiaoqin , Yu Dengguang , Wang Xia
Published: August 2015

This study reports the reinforcement and fracture toughening mechanism of pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on epoxy matrix. The tensile strength and fracture energy (G
IC) of the epoxy polymer increased simultaneously upon the addition of a small amount of MWCNTs. The fracture surfaces of single-edge-notch three-point bending test specimens were analysed by scanning electron microscopy, and the double-notch four-point bending technique was used to investigate the fracture process by transmission electron microscopy, respectively. MWCNT pull-out and subsequent plastic void growth were found; meanwhile, fracture of MWCNTs was observed along the crack propagation path. The theoretical model of shearing band initiated by the stress concentrations around the MWCNTs is the dominant toughening mechanism. While the crack bridging of MWCNTs and the plastic void growth of epoxy also have a toughening effect.
Importance Of Rural Women As Part Of The Population In Turkey
Authors: Oğuz Cennet
Published: August 2015

Turkey has a total land potential of 78 million ha with a population about 74 million. About one third of the land is arable, and 26% of the population has lived in rural areas. The active population, work in the rural area of Turkey, is 14,767,000 and women have about 51% of that population. The population of women working in agriculture has shown an increase from year to year. In that regard, importance of women in agricultural activities and rural development is very clear. In agricultural enterprises, the individuals are comprised from 54% men and 46% women whose main work is agricultural activities and female economically active population in agriculture is about 55% in Turkey. The Social Gender Inequality Index, SGII, can be used to make some recommendations for policy makers. SGII is still at a high rate of 0.366 in Turkey. In present paper, some secondary data such as reports and statistical data were analyzed about the contributions of women labor uses in agriculture.
The Changing Face of Unions and White Labor Support for the Democratic Party
Authors: Camobreco John F. , Barnello Michelle A.
Published: August 2015

This manuscript examines the political behavior of White union members, with a focus on the differences between private sector and public sector union members. In the last several decades, private sector union membership has drastically declined, but public sector union membership has greatly increased. This has transformed the White unionized workforce from a group composed primarily of non-professional men with no college education to one that is much more female, college educated, and professional. We test the proposition that White public sector union members have greater incentives to support the Democratic Party than their private sector counterparts. The method employed is an examination of the presidential vote among both unionized and non-unionized Whites during the 1950s and the 2000s, using data from the American National Election Studies. Support among unionized Whites for Democratic presidential candidates in the 2000s came primarily from college educated and professional White union members, which represents a reversal of the pattern found during the 1950s. These results provide evidence that the White union members currently voting for Democratic candidates belong mainly to public sector unions.
Anonymous Money in Campaigns: Is Sunlight the Best Disinfectant?
Authors: Chand Daniel E.
Published: August 2015

Following the Supreme Court’s ruling in
The new green catalysts derived from waste razor and surf clam shells for biodiesel production in a continuous reactor
Authors: Buasri Achanai , Loryuenyong Vorrada
Published: August 2015

A green catalyst has been derived from a waste material for transesterification of the
Executive functioning in three groups of pupils in D-KEFS: Selected issues in adapting the test battery for Slovakia
Authors: Ferjenčík Ján , Slavkovská Miriam , Kresila Juraj
Published: August 2015

The paper reports on the adaptation of a D-KEFS test battery for Slovakia. Drawing on concrete examples, it describes and illustrates the key issues relating to the transfer of test items from one socio-cultural environment to another. The standardisation sample of the population of Slovak pupils in the fourth year of primary school included 250 children with an average age of 9.7 years. The two comparative samples of the same age range were analysed at the same time. They included pupils from classes for gifted children (n = 55) and Roma children from socially disadvantaging environments (n = 50).

The results manifested a significant skewness in most distributions of the D- -KEFS primary indicator raw scores. The nature of the skewness suggests that these indicators are more sensitive at discriminating the performance of weaker children but not at discriminating within the above-average performance range. The distribution in the Roma children sample was skewed to the opposite value. Most of the Roma children found the tests from the D-KEFS battery, especially those based on verbal materials, too difficult and so it only differentiated results achieved by the best in the group. Comparisons of the mean scores in all the primary indicators (One-way ANOVA) highlight the need to establish specific norms for the standard population of Slovak children on the one hand and for Roma children from socially disadvantaging environment on the other
The effect of pulverising aeration on changes in the oxygen and nitrogen concentrations in water of Lake Starzyc
Authors: Wesołowski Piotr , Brysiewicz Adam
Published: August 2015

Due to poor ecological status of Lake Starzyc, lake restoration measures were undertaken in 2003 to improve aerobic conditions of near-bottom waters and to decrease phosphorus concentrations. To do this, a wind-driven pulverising aerator was installed in the lake. The aim of this study was to analyse variability of oxygen and nitrogen concentrations in lake water near the aerator in the third year of its operation and later on in the three-year-long period of the years 2008–2010. It was found that concentrations of ammonium-nitrogen, nitrate-nitrogen and dissolved oxygen near the aerator did not differ from those in sites 4 and 5, which evidenced similar abiotic conditions in analysed waters. Higher concentrations of dissolved oxygen and lower concentrations of nitrate-nitrogen were found in the years 2008–2010 than in 2005.
Ontogeny And Phylogeny. To The Problem Of The Relation Of Individual And Historical Development In Organisms
Authors: Kovtun M. F. , Sheverdyukova H. V.
Published: August 2015

The theory of filembriogenesis is only an introduction to the problem’s development of ontogeny’ and phylogeny’ relation (hereinafter — «relation»). Discussions as to whether ontogeny creates phylogeny, or vice versa, are devoid of meaning. The opinion of O. Hertwig (Hertwig, 1906) that the ontogeny and phylogeny are two parallel and independent developmental processes is valid only in the first part; thesis about independence distorts the essence of «relation.» According to the authors, one of the essential characteristics of the «relation» is that ontogeny gives the material for phylogeny, and phylogeny renews ontogeny, leading away ontogeny from inbreeding; that ontogeny ensures the life continuity and phylogeny — its differentiation, that is, creates biodiversity; that ontogeny and phylogeny can exist and function only in conjunction or in parallel, changing places (in terms of priority) in the life evolution.
Distiribution Of The Spider Zelotes Azsheganovae (Aranei, Gnaphosidae) On The East European Plain
Authors: Evtushenko K. V. , Polchaninova N. Yu. , Esyunin S. L.
Published: August 2015

Data on Zelotes azsheganovae Esyunin et Efimik, 1992 distribution in the East European Plain (Ukraine, Russia) are summarized. The species occurs mainly in the wood and steppe belt, preferring plots of meadow steppe, forest edges and glades. A list of material, distribution map, photographs and drawings of male and female copulatory organs are provided.