bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Behavior of Squall Lines in Horizontally Heterogeneous Coastal Environments
Authors: Lombardo Kelly , Kading Tristan
Published: February 2018

Inland squall lines respond to the stable marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL) as they move toward a coastline and offshore. As a storm’s cold pool collides with the marine layer, characteristics of both determine the resulting convective forcing mechanism over the stable layer and storm characteristics. Idealized numerical experiments exploring a parameter space of MABL characteristics show that the postcollision forcing mechanism is determined by the buoyancy of the cold pool relative to the MABL. When the outflow is less buoyant, storms are forced by a cold pool within the marine environment. When the buoyancies are equivalent, a hybrid cold pool–internal gravity wave develops after the collision. The collision between a cold pool and less buoyant MABL initiates internal waves along the stable layer, regardless of MABL depth. These waves are inefficient at lifting air into the storm, and ascent from the trailing cold pool is needed to support deep convection. Storm intensity decreases with deeper and less buoyant MABLs, in part due to the reduction in elevated instability. Precipitation is enhanced just prior to the collision between a storm and the deepest marine layers. Storms modify their environment downstream, leading to the development of a moist adiabatic unstable layer and a lowering of the level of free convection (LFC) to below the top of the deepest marine layer. An MABL moving as a sea breeze into the storm-modified air successfully lifts parcels to the new LFC, generating convective towers ahead of the squall line. This mechanism may contribute to increased coastal flash flooding risks during observed events.
From “Migrant” to “Citizen”: Labor Market Integration of Former Live-In Caregivers in Canada
Authors: Banerjee Rupa , Kelly Philip , Tungohan Ethel , Cleto Petronila , de Leon Conely , Garcia Mila , Luciano Marco , Palmaria Cynthia , Sorio Chris
Published: February 2018

This study examines the impact of attaining permanent resident status on the employment integration of migrant caregivers in Canada. The authors use survey data from 631 caregivers who arrived as migrants under a temporary foreign worker program before transitioning to permanent residency, as well as data from 47 focus group discussions. The authors find that although most caregivers do switch out of caregiving work over time, they often remain within a few, lower-skilled occupations. Postsecondary education acquired before migration has no impact on occupational mobility. Caregivers’ lack of financial stability and the stigmatization of their employment experience often constrain their labor market options; moreover, an emotional bond and sense of obligation toward employers often hinder their ability to move out into other occupations, even after receiving legal permanent resident status. From the empirical results, the authors provide theoretical insights into the complex relationship between immigration patterns and labor markets.
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners in Special Education: English Learners
Authors: Counts Jennifer , Katsiyannis Antonis , Whitford Denise K.
Published: February 2018

The multidimensional issue of the representation of diverse students in special education has been a persistent and challenging concern for decades. Overwhelmingly, research outlining racial and ethnic disproportionality data have historically demonstrated stability in the overrepresentation of students of color in special education. However, the growing number of culturally and linguistically diverse learners also requires an examination of the representation of English learners in special education as well. This article provides an overview of trends and issues in both underrepresentation and overrepresentation of English learners in special education. Contributing factors for variability, as well as recommendations for future research and improved practice are provided.
Social attraction in video-mediated communication: The role of nonverbal affiliative behavior
Authors: Croes Emmelyn A. J. , Antheunis Marjolijn L. , Schouten Alexander P. , Krahmer Emiel J.
Published: February 2018

The first aim of this study was to analyze video-mediated communication (VMC), in comparison to face-to-face (FTF) communication, and the effect it has on how communicators express nonverbal affiliative behaviors relevant for social attraction. Second, this study aimed to discover whether these nonverbal expressions relate to communicators’ social attraction. An experiment with 93 cross-sex dyads was conducted, with a get-acquainted exercise in a VMC or a FTF condition. Our findings revealed that communicators in VMC smiled more and spoke louder. In addition, VMC interactants displayed less facial touching than FTF interactants. Finally, more gaze aversion and a higher speech rate were found to influence social attraction. These findings have implications for research on cue-rich computer-mediated communication (CMC) and the way in which communicators nonverbally express themselves in comparison to copresent FTF communication. Additionally, this study has implications for social information processing theory which may be extended to include cue-rich forms of CMC.
Reduced blood oxygenation level dependent connectivity is related to hypoperfusion in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Göttler Jens , Preibisch Christine , Riederer Isabelle , Pasquini Lorenzo , Alexopoulos Panagiotis , Bohn Karl Peter , Yakushev Igor , Beller Ebba , Kaczmarz Stephan , Zimmer Claus , Grimmer Timo , Drzezga Alexander , Sorg Christian
Published: February 2018

Functional connectivity of blood oxygenation level dependent signal fluctuations (BOLD-FC) is decreased in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and suggested to reflect reduced coherence in neural population activity; however, as both neuronal and vascular-hemodynamic processes underlie BOLD signals, impaired perfusion might also contribute to reduced BOLD-FC; 42 AD patients and 27 controls underwent simultaneous PET/MR imaging. Resting-state functional MRI assessed BOLD co-activity to quantify BOLD-FC, pulsed arterial spin labeling (pASL) assessed cerebral blood flow (CBF) as proxy for vascular hemodynamics, and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET assessed glucose metabolism (GluMet) to index neuronal activity. Patients’ BOLD-FC, CBF, and GluMet were reduced within the same precuneal parietal regions. BOLD-FC was positively associated with mean CBF, specifically in patients and controlled for GluMet levels, suggesting that BOLD-FC reductions correlate with pASL-derived hypoperfusion in AD, independently from 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET-derived hypometabolism. Data indicate that impaired vascular hemodynamic processes contribute to reduced BOLD connectivity in AD.
Synthesis and characterization of chiral poly(amide-imide) composite thin films containing functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Rafiee Zahra , Kolaee Milad
Published: February 2018

The chiral poly(amide-imide) (PAI) was synthesized by the direct polycondensation reaction of imide-dicarboxylic acid, N-trimellitylimido-l-phenylalanine with diamine and 1,5-naphthalenediamine. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/polymer composite films were prepared via dispersing of acid-functionalized MWCNTs (MWCNT-COOH) as reinforcement at MWCNT loadings of 5, 10, and 15 wt%. The PAI/MWCNT composite films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The TEM results confirmed that the carboxylated MWCNTs were well dispersed in the polymer matrix. The thermogravimetric analysis data showed an improvement of thermal stability of composites containing the MWCNT as compared to the pure polymer. In this research, PAI/MWCNT composite 15 wt% was used as a novel and efficient adsorbent for removal of malachite green dye from aqueous solution.
Book Review: Michael H. Morris and Eric Liguori (Eds), Annals of Entrepreneurship Education and Pedagogy
Authors: Chand Vijaya Sherry
Published: February 2018

Michael H. Morris and Eric Liguori (Eds), Annals of Entrepreneurship Education and Pedagogy, Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2016, 456 pp.
Book Review: Stefan Ecks (2014), Eating Drugs: Psychopharmaceutical Pluralism in India
Authors: Halliburton Murphy
Published: February 2018

Stefan Ecks (2014), Eating Drugs: Psychopharmaceutical Pluralism in India. New York, NY: New York University Press. 223 pp., $75 (Hardcover), ISBN: 978-0814724767.
How Aging Societies May Affect Global Growth Prospects
Authors: Loser Claudio , Fajgenbaum Jose , Kohli Harpaul Alberto , Vilkelyte Ieva
Published: February 2018

Over the next few decades, the United Nations (UN) has projected that the world will experience significant demographic shifts due to lower birth rates and longer lifespans.1 The world’s population aged 65 and above will increase from 12 percent today to 16 percent in 2050, doubling the old-age dependency ratio2 to 25.2. These demographic shifts would have material implications. Population aging and its dynamics will influence a number of economic variables and behavioral responses, particularly economic growth, productivity, labor force participation, consumption choice, personal savings and thus investment, and public finances. Population aging is unavoidable, but public policies and technological advances may limit some of its adverse effects.
Comparison of the performance of laboratory tests in the diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis
Authors: Stranieri Angelica , Giordano Alessia , Paltrinieri Saverio , Giudice Chiara , Cannito Valentina , Lauzi Stefania
Published: February 2018

We compared the performance of clinicopathologic and molecular tests used in the antemortem diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). From 16 FIP and 14 non-FIP cats, we evaluated retrospectively the sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios (LRs) of serum protein electrophoresis, α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) on peripheral blood, screening reverse-transcription nested PCR (RT-nPCR) on the 3’–untranslated region (3’-UTR), and spike (S) gene sequencing on peripheral blood, body cavity effusions, and tissue, as well as body cavity cytology and delta total nucleated cell count (ΔTNC). Any of these tests on blood, and especially the molecular tests, may support or confirm a clinical diagnosis of FIP. A negative result does not exclude the disease except for AGP. Cytology, 3’-UTR PCR, and ΔTNC may confirm a clinical diagnosis on effusions; cytology or 3’-UTR PCR may exclude FIP. Conversely, S gene sequencing is not recommended based on the LRs. On tissues, S gene sequencing is preferable when histology is highly consistent with FIP, and 3’-UTR PCR when FIP is unlikely. Combining one test with high LR+ with one with low LR− (e.g., molecular tests and AGP on blood, ΔTNC and cytology in effusions) may improve the diagnostic power of the most used laboratory tests.
Commentary: A Value Perspective of Family Firms
Authors: Yuan Wenlong , Wu Zhenyu
Published: February 2018

This commentary extends Hillier, Martínez, Patel, Pindado, and Requejo (2018) by placing their insights within a wider context of the debate between the agency theory and stewardship theory. To reconcile the conflicts between the two theories, we propose a family-value perspective to incorporate the intrinsic heterogeneity of family firms. We highlight how different family values may lead to different strategic behavior and how various theoretical perspectives may be best used to describe the behavior of family firms with certain specific values.
Material groupoids and algebroids
Authors: Epstein Marcelo , de León Manuel
Published: February 2018

Lie groupoids and their associated algebroids arise naturally in the study of the constitutive properties of continuous media. Thus, continuum mechanics and differential geometry illuminate each other in a mutual entanglement of theory and applications. Given any material property, such as the elastic energy or an index of refraction, affected by the state of deformation of the material body, one can automatically associate to it a groupoid. Under conditions of differentiability, this material groupoid is a Lie groupoid. Its associated Lie algebroid plays an important role in the determination of the existence of material defects, such as dislocations. This paper presents a rather intuitive treatment of these ideas.
Antidiabetic phytoconstituents and their mode of action on metabolic pathways
Authors: Bharti Sudhanshu Kumar , Krishnan Supriya , Kumar Ashwini , Kumar Awanish
Published: February 2018

Diabetes Mellitus, characterized by persistent hyperglycaemia, is a heterogeneous group of disorders of multiple aetiologies. It affects the human body at multiple organ levels thus making it difficult to follow a particular line of the treatment protocol and requires a multimodal approach. The increasing medical burden on patients with diabetes-related complications results in an enormous economic burden, which could severely impair global economic growth in the near future. This shows that today’s healthcare system has conventionally been poorly equipped towards confronting the mounting impact of diabetes on a global scale and demands an urgent need for newer and better options. The overall challenge of this field of diabetes treatment is to identify the individualized factors that can lead to improved glycaemic control. Plants are traditionally used worldwide as remedies for diabetes healing. They synthesize a diverse array of biologically active compounds having antidiabetic properties. This review is an endeavour to document the present armamentarium of antidiabetic herbal drug discovery and developments, highlighting mechanism-based antidiabetic properties of over 300 different phytoconstituents of various chemical categories from about 100 different plants modulating different metabolic pathways such as glycolysis, Krebs cycle, gluconeogenesis, glycogen synthesis and degradation, cholesterol synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism as well as peroxisome proliferator activated receptor activation, dipeptidyl peptidase inhibition and free radical scavenging action. The aim is to provide a rich reservoir of pharmacologically established antidiabetic phytoconstituents with specific references to the novel, cost-effective interventions, which might be of relevance to other low-income and middle-income countries of the world.
Measuring isolation across space and over time with new tools: Evidence from Californian metropolitan regions
Authors: Clark William AV , Östh John
Published: February 2018

Studies of segregation continue to explore analytic tools to engage with patterns of separation within cities. In recent work, scale has emerged as an important dimension of understanding segregation – simply put, separation is strongly affected by the scale which is used in the measurement process. Levels of segregation are also influenced by the time in which the analysis takes place. We outline an approach to separation which has four dimensions – (1) using bespoke neighborhoods – who do you meet at varying scales, (2) measuring the size of the change in separation over time, (3) estimating the rate of change in separation across space and time and (4) visualizing the change, mapping changing levels of contact. The themes are explored using data from the diverse, multi ethnic neighborhoods in Californian metropolitan areas. The result of a bespoke neighborhood approach to segregation provides a more complete demonstration of the pattern of ethnic segregation. We know that there are declining overall levels of segregation, but while levels are decreasing for Whites they are increasing for Hispanics and Asians but at different rates depending on local contexts. Viewing assimilation in a multi-scalar visual context expands our understanding of segregation and assimilation.
What unites Europe and what divides it? Solidarity and the European heritage reconsidered
Authors: Delanty Gerard
Published: February 2018

Despite the on-set on new divisions, there is a strong case to be made for the view that ultimately Europe is more united than divided. There is still significant continuity with the post-war project of reconstruction and peace and that this common ground that constitutes the European heritage needs to be given greater recognition. One of the defining features of European self-understanding is opposition to war.
GTL1 and DF1 regulate root hair growth through transcriptional repression of ROOT HAIR DEFECTIVE 6-LIKE 4 in Arabidopsis
Authors: Shibata Michitaro , Breuer Christian , Kawamura Ayako , Clark Natalie M. , Rymen Bart , Braidwood Luke , Morohashi Kengo , Busch Wolfgang , Benfey Philip N. , Sozzani Rosangela , Sugimoto Keiko
Published: February 2018

How plants determine the final size of growing cells is an important, yet unresolved, issue. Root hairs provide an excellent model system with which to study this as their final cell size is remarkably constant under constant environmental conditions. Previous studies have demonstrated that a basic helix-loop helix transcription factor ROOT HAIR DEFECTIVE 6-LIKE 4 (RSL4) promotes root hair growth, but how hair growth is terminated is not known. In this study, we demonstrate that a trihelix transcription factor GT-2-LIKE1 (GTL1) and its homolog DF1 repress root hair growth in Arabidopsis. Our transcriptional data, combined with genome-wide chromatin-binding data, show that GTL1 and DF1 directly bind the RSL4 promoter and regulate its expression to repress root hair growth. Our data further show that GTL1 and RSL4 regulate each other, as well as a set of common downstream genes, many of which have previously been implicated in root hair growth. This study therefore uncovers a core regulatory module that fine-tunes the extent of root hair growth by the orchestrated actions of opposing transcription factors.
The developmental and genetic basis of ‘clubfoot’ in the peroneal muscular atrophy mutant mouse
Authors: Collinson J. Martin , Lindström Nils O. , Neves Carlos , Wallace Karen , Meharg Caroline , Charles Rebecca H. , Ross Zoe K. , Fraser Amy M. , Mbogo Ivan , Oras Kadri , Nakamoto Masaru , Barker Simon , Duce Suzanne , Miedzybrodzka Zosia , Vargesson Neil
Published: February 2018

Genetic factors underlying the human limb abnormality congenital talipes equinovarus (‘clubfoot’) remain incompletely understood. The spontaneous autosomal recessive mouse ‘peroneal muscular atrophy’ mutant (PMA) is a faithful morphological model of human clubfoot. In PMA mice, the dorsal (peroneal) branches of the sciatic nerves are absent. In this study, the primary developmental defect was identified as a reduced growth of sciatic nerve lateral motor column (LMC) neurons leading to failure to project to dorsal (peroneal) lower limb muscle blocks. The pma mutation was mapped and a candidate gene encoding LIM-domain kinase 1 (Limk1) identified, which is upregulated in mutant lateral LMC motor neurons. Genetic and molecular analyses showed that the mutation acts in the EphA4–Limk1–Cfl1/cofilin–actin pathway to modulate growth cone extension/collapse. In the chicken, both experimental upregulation of Limk1 by electroporation and pharmacological inhibition of actin turnover led to defects in hindlimb spinal motor neuron growth and pathfinding, and mimicked the clubfoot phenotype. The data support a neuromuscular aetiology for clubfoot and provide a mechanistic framework to understand clubfoot in humans.
EFA6 proteins regulate lumen formation through α-actinin 1
Authors: Milanini Julie , Fayad Racha , Partisani Mariagrazia , Lecine Patrick , Borg Jean-Paul , Franco Michel , Luton Frédéric
Published: February 2018

A key step of epithelial morphogenesis is the creation of the lumen. Luminogenesis by hollowing proceeds through the fusion of apical vesicles at cell–cell contacts. The small nascent lumens grow through extension, coalescence and enlargement, coordinated with cell division, to give rise to a single central lumen. Here, by using MDCK cells grown in 3D-culture, we show that EFA6A (also known as PSD) participates in luminogenesis. EFA6A recruits α-actinin 1 (ACTN1) through direct binding. In polarized cells, ACTN1 was found to be enriched at the tight junction where it acts as a primary effector of EFA6A for normal luminogenesis. Both proteins are essential for the lumen extension and enlargement, where they mediate their effect by regulating the cortical acto-myosin contractility. Finally, ACTN1 was also found to act as an effector for the isoform EFA6B (also known as PSD4) in the human mammary tumoral MCF7 cell line. EFA6B restored the glandular morphology of this tumoral cell line in an ACTN1-dependent manner. Thus, we identified new regulators of cyst luminogenesis essential for the proper maturation of a newly-formed lumen into a single central lumen.
Image co-localization – co-occurrence versus correlation
Authors: Aaron Jesse S. , Taylor Aaron B. , Chew Teng-Leong
Published: February 2018

Fluorescence image co-localization analysis is widely utilized to suggest biomolecular interaction. However, there exists some confusion as to its correct implementation and interpretation. In reality, co-localization analysis consists of at least two distinct sets of methods, termed co-occurrence and correlation. Each approach has inherent and often contrasting strengths and weaknesses. Yet, neither one can be considered to always be preferable for any given application. Rather, each method is most appropriate for answering different types of biological question. This Review discusses the main factors affecting multicolor image co-occurrence and correlation analysis, while giving insight into the types of biological behavior that are better suited to one approach or the other. Further, the limits of pixel-based co-localization analysis are discussed in the context of increasingly popular super-resolution imaging techniques.
Evolution of neuropeptide signalling systems
Authors: Elphick Maurice R. , Mirabeau Olivier , Larhammar Dan
Published: February 2018

Neuropeptides are a diverse class of neuronal signalling molecules that regulate physiological processes and behaviour in animals. However, determining the relationships and evolutionary origins of the heterogeneous assemblage of neuropeptides identified in a range of phyla has presented a huge challenge for comparative physiologists. Here, we review revolutionary insights into the evolution of neuropeptide signalling that have been obtained recently through comparative analysis of genome/transcriptome sequence data and by ‘deorphanisation’ of neuropeptide receptors. The evolutionary origins of at least 30 neuropeptide signalling systems have been traced to the common ancestor of protostomes and deuterostomes. Furthermore, two rounds of genome duplication gave rise to an expanded repertoire of neuropeptide signalling systems in the vertebrate lineage, enabling neofunctionalisation and/or subfunctionalisation, but with lineage-specific gene loss and/or additional gene or genome duplications generating complex patterns in the phylogenetic distribution of paralogous neuropeptide signalling systems. We are entering a new era in neuropeptide research where it has become feasible to compare the physiological roles of orthologous and paralogous neuropeptides in a wide range of phyla. Moreover, the ambitious mission to reconstruct the evolution of neuropeptide function in the animal kingdom now represents a tangible challenge for the future.
Νεωτερικά μέσα, παραδοσιακοί σκοποί: Ο συνταγματικός λόγος της Εκκλησίας της Ελλάδος
Authors: Καϊδατζής (Akritas Kaidatzis) Ακρίτας
Published: February 2018

Η επίκληση του λαού, του συντάγματος και των δικαιωμάτων κατέχει σημαντική θέση στο δημόσιο λόγο της Εκκλησίας της Ελλάδος. Ο συνταγματικός λόγος της είναι λαϊκιστικός και δικαιωματοκρατικός. Η Εκκλησία μιλάει εξ ονόματος του λαού «της» και ως γνήσιος εκφραστής της βούλησής του απέναντι στους κυβερνώντες. Και προασπίζεται τα δικαιώματα της πλειοψηφίας, τα οποία ταυτίζει με τα δικαιώματα των πιστών της. Η χρήση του συντάγματος στο λόγο της δείχνει πως η Εκκλησία εκμεταλλεύεται τις κατακτήσεις της νεωτερικότητας για την εξυπηρέτηση προνεωτερικών σκοπών, όπως η εξασφάλιση των προνομίων της και η διατήρηση του ρόλου της στη δημόσια σφαίρα.
Η αναδιοργάνωση των υπηρεσιακών συμβουλίων των δημόσιων υπαλλήλων. Επαγγελματισμός έναντι πολιτικοποίησης
Authors: Πραβίτα (Maria-Eliana Pravita) Μαρία-Ηλιάνα
Published: February 2018

Στο παρόν άρθρο εξετάζεται το πρόβλημα της πολιτικοποίησης ή «κομματικοποίησης» της ελληνικής δημόσιας διοίκησης στο παράδειγμα των υπηρεσιακών συμβουλίων, ενός θεσμού που προβλέφθηκε με σκοπό να εξασφαλίσει τη μονιμότητα και την επαγγελματική ακεραιότητα των δημόσιων υπαλλήλων. Η σύνθεση των υπηρεσιακών συμβουλίων έλαβε ποικίλες μορφές στην πάροδο του χρόνου αντανακλώντας αντίστοιχες πολιτικές συγκυρίες και σκοπιμότητες. Στην εργασία αυτή διερευνάται κατά πόσον εξακολουθεί να διαπιστώνεται το φαινόμενο των πελατειακών σχέσεων τόσο στην επιλογή των μελών των υπηρεσιακών συμβουλίων όσο και στη δυνατότητα πρόωρης λήξης της θητείας τους, σε συνάρτηση με τα πρόσφατα μεταρρυθμιστικά εγχειρήματα (2010-2017) για την επιλογή προϊσταμένων οργανικών μονάδων.
Provision of mental health care within primary care in Peru: A qualitative study exploring the perspectives of psychologists, primary health care providers, and patients
Authors: Cavero Victoria , Diez-Canseco Francisco , Toyama Mauricio , Flórez Salcedo Gustavo , Ipince Alessandra , Araya Ricardo , Miranda J. Jaime
Published: February 2018

Background: This study aimed to understand the offer of mental health care at the primary care level, collecting the views of psychologists, primary health care providers (PHCPs), and patients, with a focus on health services in which patients attend regularly and who present a higher prevalence of mental disorders.

Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in antenatal care, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and chronic diseases services from six primary health care centers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with psychologists, PHCPs, and patients working in or attending the selected facilities. 

Results: A total of 4 psychologists, 22 PHCPs, and 37 patients were interviewed. A high perceived need for mental health care was noted. PHCPs acknowledged the emotional impact physical health conditions have on their patients and mentioned that referral to psychologists was reserved only for serious problems. Their approach to emotional problems was providing emotional support (includes listening, talk about their patients’ feelings, provide advice). PHCPs identified system-level barriers about the specialized mental health care, including a shortage of psychologists and an overwhelming demand, which results in brief consultations and lack in continuity of care. Psychologists focus their work on individual consultations; however, consultations were brief, did not follow a standardized model of care, and most patients attend only once. Psychologists also mentioned the lack of collaborative work among other healthcare providers. Despite these limitations, interviewed patients declared that they were willing to seek specialized care if advised and considered the psychologist's care provided as helpful; however, they recognized the stigmatization related to seeking mental health care.

Conclusions: There is a perceived need of mental health care for primary care patients. To attend these needs, PHCPs provide emotional support and refer to psychology the most severe cases, while psychologists provide one-to-one consultations. Significant limitations in the care provided are discussed.
INFLUENCE OF PRE-SOWING TREATMENT OF WINTER TRITICALE SEEDS ON THE PECULIARITIES OF ITS GERMINATION
Authors: Бабайцева Татьяна , Babayceva Tat'yana , Слюсаренко Владимир , Slyusarenko Vladimir
Published: February 2018

The article presents the study results of reaction of winter triticale of Izhevskaya 2 and Zimogor for pre-sowing seed treatment with Vial TT, Agree`s Forsage, Mivgal-Agro, Emiks and its combination. It was established that presowing seed treatment affected the degree of development and morphological characteristics of seedlings. Preparations Agree`s Forsage, Mival-Agro and Mival-Agro in conjunction with Vial TT provided the stimulation of the seeds germination process of Izhevskaya 2 variety and, conversely, contributed to the inhibition of these processes in the Zimogor variety.
Mesenteric ischaemia: an overview of diagnostic and therapeutic best practice
Authors: Arnott Jonathan , McGee Shaun , Wills Mark
Published: February 2018

Mesenteric ischaemia is relatively uncommon, but is an important diagnosis to remember as it can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Improvements in clinical imaging technology have made rapid diagnosis and treatment possible, but this relies on awareness of the condition. This article summarizes current best practice in diagnosis and management of mesenteric ischaemia to guide the clinician.
Reducing recurrent hospital admissions in patients with decompensated cirrhosis
Authors: Aspinall Richard J
Published: February 2018

Recurrent admissions to hospital are a major issue for people living with decompensated cirrhosis, particularly those who develop chronic hepatic encephalopathy, a condition that leads to significantly impaired quality of life for patients and their family caregivers. Such patients have high health-care use costs but recent data have shown how the appropriate use of effective medical therapy can significantly reduce hospital admissions, length of stay and unplanned readmissions. Redesigning clinical services to optimize access to specialist care and improving the education and support of patients and their carers can further help to reduce the burden of this disease.
Assessing memory rehabilitation outcomes using Adaptation to Memory Difficulties Outcome questionnaire
Authors: Harnell Rachel , dasNair Roshan , Lincoln Nadina B
Published: February 2018

Background/Aims:

There are few measures available to assess the outcome of cognitive rehabilitation. The Adaptation to Memory Difficulties Outcome questionnaire was designed to assess the outcome of memory rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to examine the internal consistency and concurrent validity of the Adaptation to Memory Difficulties Outcome questionnaire, and to evaluate its responsiveness to change for people with traumatic brain injury who received memory rehabilitation.

Methods:

The Everyday Memory Questionnaire was administered as a baseline assessment in a randomised controlled trial of memory rehabilitation. Participants in the intervention group received ten weekly group memory rehabilitation sessions. The Adaptation to Memory Difficulties Outcome questionnaire was administered at the first and last intervention session.

Findings:

Of the 171 participants randomised to the intervention group, 118 completed the Everyday Memory Questionnaire and Adaptation to Memory Difficulties Outcome questionnaire. The internal consistency of all subscales was acceptable to good (α>0.7), with the exception of the control subscale, which was unacceptable. There were statistically significant but low correlations (rs 0.17 to 0.34, p<0.05) between the Everyday Memory Questionnaire and the three subscales of the Adaptation to Memory Difficulties Outcome questionnaire section A, before treatment. There was a statistically significant improvement (p<0.001) between baseline and follow-up for all subscales on the Adaptation to Memory Difficulties Outcome questionnaire with large effect sizes (0.59–0.94).

Conclusions:

The Adaptation to Memory Difficulties Outcome questionnaire had good internal consistency on most scales and was responsive to change, but assesses different aspects of memory rehabilitation outcome from the Everyday Memory Questionnaire.
Successful school partnerships
Authors: Donnison Liam
Published: February 2018

We know that partnership can play an important role in school improvement, but what ingredients need to be in place for it to work? Liam Donnison finds out
Flexible working in schools
Authors: Stanley Julian
Published: February 2018

There is a growing momentum behind efforts to make flexible and part-time working in schools a reality. Julian Stanley explains
Self-harm: What not to do
Authors: Knightsmith Pooky
Published: February 2018

Mental health and wellbeing expert Dr Pooky Knightsmith advises teachers and school staff on what not to do if they are worried that a child is self-harming or if a student discloses to them
Effects of recasts and form-focused instruction on the acquisition of novel vocabulary
Authors: Yang Yingli , Zhang Lawrence Jun , Chen Ling
Published: February 2018

The present study explores the effects of recast plus form-focused instruction and form-focused instruction on vocabulary development and the mediating effect of working memory. Sixty-six university students were assigned to a recast plus form-focused instruction (FFI) group, a FFI group, and a control group. The instructor provided recasts on non-target vocabulary items in the recast plus FFI group, whereas the FFI group completed two form-focused vocabulary tasks only. Pretests, posttests, and delayed posttests were administered to examine learners’ development of target vocabulary items. A reading span test was employed to examine learners’ complex working memory capacities. Results show that the recast plus FFI group exhibited superior performance over the control group on both posttests and delayed posttests with large effect sizes. Working memory did not significantly correlate with vocabulary development in either treatment group.
Aesthetics of Building Material in the Buildings of Architect Augusts Malvess
Authors: Krastiņš Jānis
Published: February 2018

Architect Augusts Malvess is well-known in history of Latvian architecture in general and in architecture education in Latvia in particular, but so far not all of the buildings designed by him have been identified and architecture of his creations has not been evaluated in the context of artistically stylistic and theoretical principles. The article presents the analyses of the architect’s specific creative approach based on the use of various building materials with the purpose of achieving artistic expression. Several until now unknown, but significant facts in the history of Latvian architecture have been explored.
Advanced Modeling Techniques for Architectural Design Education
Authors: Riekstins Arne
Published: February 2018

This article discusses the usage of advanced modeling techniques in architectural design education from the viewpoint of CAD/CAM paradigm that is setting new standards for the teaching and the industry. Parametricism is one of the main driving forces in architecture that exercises complexity possible only through 3D modeling tools and using generative algorithms. Most of the design skills are being learned by applying the obtained knowledge in academic design projects and their supplementary classes.
Corruption and Medicine Quality in Latin America: A Pilot Study
Authors: Bate Roger , Mathur Aparna
Published: February 2018

Fake and substandard medicines are a significant problem in developing nations, and a growing problem in developed ones too. There have been assessments of basic medicine quality from many countries and regions across the world but almost none in Central and South America. Over the past decade, as part of our research, we have collected over ten thousand samples of medicines from 22 cities in emerging markets, but the only one from the Latin region was Sao Paolo in Brazil. We have now rectified this gap, at least for one critical medicine, the broad spectrum antibiotic ciprofloxacin. Using original, self-collected data from ten countries in Latin America, we test whether the 687 Ciprofloxacin treatments pass the Global Pharma Health Fund e.V. Minilab® protocol to identify substandard or counterfeit medicines. In terms of quality, 93 percent of drugs were good quality. Within the drugs that failed the quality test, the majority were substandard rather than fake. About 26 % of the poor quality drugs were fake, with zero active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), while the rest were substandard, with less than 80 % API. In line with results from our earlier studies, we find that products that were locally registered, as well as those with SRA or WHO pre-qualification, were more likely to pass the test. A new finding in this paper is that corruption is a key predictor of poor quality drugs. Less corrupt countries had higher levels of passing drugs.
Smooth operator: remittances and household consumption during fiscal shocks
Authors: Beaton Kimberly , Cevik Serhan , Yousefi Seyed Reza
Published: February 2018

With 250 million migrants globally, remittances are one of the major sources of income in many developing countries. While there is abundant evidence that remittances facilitate consumption smoothing, the literature has not considered whether this effect varies with the fiscal stance and during fiscal shocks. Our focus is therefore on whether the consumption-smoothing effect changes with fiscal policy phases and whether remittances and government support are substitutes or complements in stabilizing household consumption. We take a holistic approach to investigating this relationship combining cross-country and household-level analysis. We find that remittances help smooth consumption, and hence improve welfare, more during fiscal consolidation episodes, while this impact is insignificant during fiscal expansions. The results also indicate that the effect is more pronounced in countries with greater reliance on remittances.
Effect of a combination of flip and zooming stimuli on the performance of a visual brain-computer interface for spelling
Authors: Cheng Jiao , Jin Jing , Daly Ian , Zhang Yu , Wang Bei , Wang Xingyu , Cichocki Andrzej
Published: February 2018

Brain-computer interface (BCI) systems can allow their users to communicate with the external world by recognizing intention directly from their brain activity without the assistance of the peripheral motor nervous system. The P300-speller is one of the most widely used visual BCI applications. In previous studies, a flip stimulus (rotating the background area of the character) that was based on apparent motion, suffered from less refractory effects. However, its performance was not improved significantly. In addition, a presentation paradigm that used a “zooming” action (changing the size of the symbol) has been shown to evoke relatively higher P300 amplitudes and obtain a better BCI performance. To extend this method of stimuli presentation within a BCI and, consequently, to improve BCI performance, we present a new paradigm combining both the flip stimulus with a zooming action. This new presentation modality allowed BCI users to focus their attention more easily. We investigated whether such an action could combine the advantages of both types of stimuli presentation to bring a significant improvement in performance compared to the conventional flip stimulus. The experimental results showed that the proposed paradigm could obtain significantly higher classification accuracies and bit rates than the conventional flip paradigm (p<0.01).
Planning and regulation of pre-final cuttings in Poland – a proposal for change
Authors: Borecki Tomasz , Pieniak Dariusz , Stępień Edward , Wójcik Roman
Published: February 2018

Scheduling and regulation of the forest use are of much importance in forest management. Decisions regarding the manner, timing, and intensity of tree felling result in long-term effects, as these affect the species and age structure of forests, along with the direction and dynamics of changes in forest resources. Above all, serious doubts concern the way of determining and accounting for the prescribed forest utilization, and in particular, the possibilities of the pre-final cuttings. In recent times, the precise determination of the pre-final cuttings by volume has been given up. According to the law, the area of pre-final cuttings is now obligatory taken into account. Consequently, it is not possible to determine the total volume limiting the amount of timber to be harvested, thus, there is decreased the value of the forest management plan as the document approved by the minister responsible for forestry as well as the basis for forest management. For practical reasons, the specified pre-final cuttings by volume are considered as indicative.

Connecting the planned pre-final cutting volume with the expected volume increment of the stand has not been relinquished. In the present paper, the authors called attention to a necessity for further improvement of the medium-term planning of pre-final cutting volume. A need to change the definition of the incidental cutting was emphasized. As said by the authors, the term “incidental cutting” should denote harvesting wood from diseased and dying or dead trees, along with eliminating the effects of tree damage caused by fortuitous events. Accordingly, the incidental cuttings that are inherently unpredictable, should not be directly attributed to pre-final cutting products. Keeping in mind the incidental cuttings, the authors proposed the method of reckoning the forest use, which would allow for correct accounting with regard to the prescribed pre-final cuttings.
Influence of nitrogen fertilisation on biometric features of two-year-old seedlings of pedunculate oak subjected for root pruning
Authors: Hauke-Kowalska Maria , Kasprzyk Winicjusz
Published: February 2018

Pruning is one of the important cultural treatments that have potential to influence hardwood seedling morphology. The aim of the study was to compare the growth of pedunculate oak seedlings, performed pruning roots, in the second growing season, fertilised full and reduced dose of nitrogen.

A total of 24 experimental plots, each with an the area of 0.04 ha, were designated. The roots pruning were made at the end of February 2014 using root pruning machine EGEDAL. The fertilisation, for all seedlings, was performed using ammonium nitrate in an amount of 25 kg ha−1 of nitrogen. The second fertilisation was performed only for variants 2 and 4. For these variants, urea was used in an amount of 25 kg ha−1. At the end of the growing season, the root collar diameter and the height of seedlings were measured.

A dose of nitrogen affects the height of pruned seedlings. The effect of the full dose of nitrogen on the height of the pruned seedlings was a statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the height of the seedlings without pruning, fertilised with different dose of nitrogen.

Analysis of root collar diameter showed the significant differences between the variants. The Tukey test, at the significance level of p ≤ 0.05, showed a significant impact on the root collar diameter of pruned seedlings but no proven effect of nitrogen fertilisation. To conclude, we found that it is reasonable to reduce the doses of nitrogen fertilisation to half of recommended amount (25 kg ha−1) if the root system is not pruned during the second growth year. Seedlings that has received pruning should be fertilised using the recommended doses of nitrogen.
Drivers of land use change and carbon mapping in the savannah area of Ghana
Authors: Koranteng Addo , Adu-Poku Isaac , Zawila-Niedzwiecki Tomasz
Published: February 2018

Land-use and land-cover change in both forest reserves and off-reserves is a critical issue in sub Saharan Africa. Deforestation and conversion of forest land to agricultural land continue to be one of the major environmental problems in Africa, and for that matter, Ghana cannot be exceptional; and its resultant effect is the loss in the ecological integrity and the quality of forests, resulting in carbon loss and the resultant climate change effects (FAO 2016). The study area covers the Community Resource Management Areas (CREMA) of the Mole National Park in Ghana, and this study reveals that the area is well endowed with a diverse composition and structure of woodland including dense, open and riverine stretches, which – under the national definition of forest – qualifies as forest. The results reveal that there had been an annual deforestation rate of 0.11% over the period of review. It was concluded from the study that woodland had high carbon stocks with an average carbon of 80 tC/ha, the highest being 194 tC/ha and the lowest being 7 tC/ha, which was recorded in the dense woodland and grassland respectively. The fluxes within the land sector in the study area are moderate and the potential of the area to qualify for as REDD+ is very high. However, the drivers of deforestation, especially bush fires and illegal timber harvesting, are challenges that need to be addressed.
Economic evaluation of recreational use of forests roads on the example of Pisek City Forests Ltd.
Authors: Březina David , Hlaváčková Petra , Fialová Jitka
Published: February 2018

An additional objective of the research, which was a part of the project “Quantification of the Effect of the Selected Forest Enterprise on the Local Economy of the Region” of the Internal Grant Agency (IGA) of Mendel University in Brno conducted in 2016 was a large case study of the property of Pisek City Forests Ltd. This article is focused on surveying the willingness of area visitors to pay for usage of the recreational function of forests and evaluation of the used method. The evaluated part of the questionnaire survey was based on the method of contingent valuation founded on the willingness of respondents to pay for recreational function. It was found in the results of the questionnaire survey that visitors are not very willing to pay for recreational function, and it is especially because forests in the area of Pisek City Forests Ltd. are perceived as public assets and thus access to them should be without fee. Furthermore, there were problems found with the method. Thus it is necessary to find a new way of evaluation of the recreational potential of the area.
Molecular analysis ofPhytophthoraspecies found in Poland
Authors: Oszako Tomasz , Sikora Katarzyna , Belbahri Lassaâd , Nowakowska Justyna A.
Published: February 2018

Pathogens ofPhytophthoragenus are common not only in forest nurseries and stands, but also in water courses. Species ofPhytophthoraspread with plants for plantings (and soil attached to them) and with water courses as well, attacking the plants growing in riparian ecosystems. Several specialized organisms damaging only one tree species were identified likeP. alnion alders orP. quercinaon oaks. SomePhytophthoraspecies can develop on several hosts likeP. plurivoraandP. cactorumon oaks, beeches, alders, ashes and horse chestnuts. Other oomycetes likeP. gallicaspecies was found for the first time in Poland in water used for plant watering in forest nursery. SpeciesP. lacustrisandP. gonapodyideswere found in superficial water.PhytophthoraspeciesP. polonicawas identified in the declining alder stands for the first time in the world, andP. taxonhungaricaandP. megaspermawere found in the rhizosphere of seriously damaged ash stands for the first time in Poland. The most often isolated species wereP. plurivora(clade 2) with frequency 37% andP. lacustriswith frequency 33% (clade 6). The best represented clade 6 revealed the occurrence of 6 species:P. gonapodyides, P. lacustris, P. megasperma, P.sp.raspberry,P.taxonhungaricaandP.taxon oak soil.