bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of New Glass Phosphor for Multimodal Artifact Metrics Applicable for Ceramics
Authors: Fujikawa Masaki , Hara Mariko , Fuchi Shingo
Published: December 2018

Multi-modal artifact metrics, an anti-counterfeiting technique, was created based on the concept of multi-modal biometrics and can improve the certainty of authenticity and difficulty of counterfeiting as it gives more than one characteristic information to the artifact. In order to give two optical feature information (hue and emission intensity) into the ceramic products, we develop a new type of glass phosphor. This is a novel approach, since up-conversion phosphors with different color hue and emission intensity at each observation point on the material by optical excitation have never been reported. By welding a small amount of phosphor powder onto the surface of the ceramics, the certainty of authenticity and difficulty of counterfeiting would be enhanced than an existing method we proposed. Based on our experiment, we found appropriate blending ratio of two types of rare earth oxides for making glass phosphor with above-mentioned emission characteristics. These characteristics could be seen in other glass phosphor created by different base material glass with same blending ratio.
Thermochromic Properties of Vanadium Oxide Films Prepared by R-HIPIMS Using Closed-Loop Controlled with Plasma Emission Monitoring
Authors: Tang Chien Jen , Hsu Wei Hsuan , Li Ching Tang
Published: December 2018

The vanadium dioxide films were deposited by reactive high-power impulse magnetron sputtering for different plasma emission intensity at the substrate temperature of 310 °C. The setpoint of plasma emission intensity was controlled by a PID controller with plasma-emission-monitoring. The vanadium dioxide films characteristics were measured by optical spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction and electrical source meter.
Composite High-Rise Structures: Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) and Case Studies
Authors: Gharehbaghi Koorosh , Georgy Maged , Rahmani Farshid
Published: December 2018

High-rise construction typically implies a multi-storey structure approximately between forty to hundred and twenty meters tall (approximately twelve to forty storeys). On the other hand, composite materials are those made from two or more constituents generally with considerably dissimilar physical or chemical compositions. The focal point in this paper is in-particular on high-rise construction and whether or not composite materials’ structural integrity, and long-term sustainability, is comparable to that of a traditional building. To assess the composite materials’ structural integrity, Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) will also be utilised. While, composites possess different characteristics from those common to traditional materials; the universal purpose of producing such materials is to produce matters, which are stronger, lighter, and commonly less expensive. Generally, in construction, the composite materials typically include geo-polymers, fiber-reinforced concrete and others. For high-rise construction, these composite materials require to bear a variety of demanding conditions, including high winds and seismic conditions, which are important design factors for such structures. Nevertheless, a particular benefit of composite materials for high rise construction is their overall ability to maintain structural integrity despite their lack of conventional composition. The composite materials are traditionally utilised for high-rise buildings in order to reinforce the overall structural integrity. Accordingly, this paper will also include a number of case studies to support the ever-increasing utilization of composite materials for high-rise construction.
Synthesis, Characterization and Properties of Forsterite Refractory Produced from Thai Talc and Magnesite
Authors: Kullatham Surapattanapong , Thiansem Sakdiphon
Published: December 2018

This paper reports the synthesis, characterizations, microstructure and properties of forsterite powder produced in Thailand from talc and magnesite as raw materials by using mechanical activation with subsequent calcination. The synthesis forsterite powder were mixed by using talc and magnesite at 1:5 mole ratio. The maximum milling time was 24 h in a planetary zirconia ball mill. Afterward, the mixtures were calcined in an electric furnace for 1 h at 900, 1000, 1100, 1200 and 1300°C respectively. The synthesized powder was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and physical properties. Results of the physical properties of synthesized forsterite showed an increased in density as the calcining temperature increased. In contrast, porosity was decreased with an increase of the calcining temperature. Therefore, forsterite that was calcined at 1300°C provided the best results which were 2.96 g/cm3 of true density and 15.41% of true porosity. Results of XRD of synthesized powder indicated that the forsterite crystallization was constant for which sharpen appeared after 5 h of mechanical activation. Fraction of forsterite was appeared after being calcined at 1000°C for 1 h with an increasing of calcination temperature, the fraction of forsterite phase increased. Based on the mentioned characteristics, the forsterite produced from Thai talc and magnesite exhibited properties of an insulator and can potentially be used as refractory devices.
Ratio of Cutting Force Components in Turning
Authors: Ryabov Oleg , Kano Seisuke , Sawada Hiroyuki , Herwan Jonny
Published: December 2018

Turning of cast iron and steel is monitored with the help of three-dimensional force and vibration sensors. It is shown the ratios of force components have the similar trends despite of material characteristics. Moreover, the normalized values of dynamic force components (variation of force signals) are the same in a wide variation of cutting condition. These results are discussed and confirmed by a mechanical model of work-tool interaction during the cutting process.
A Study on the Evaluation Indexes of Wear Process of Electroplated CBN Grinding Wheel
Authors: Quan Fang , Chen Zhi Tong , Li Qian Tong , Ye Huan
Published: December 2018

The wear process of electroplated CBN grinding wheel is difficult to predict and control because of the lack of unified evaluation index of wear degree. This paper investigates the service life cycle of electroplated CBN grinding wheel in grinding of nickel-based superalloy GH4169. The evolution of topography of grinding wheel, diameter of grinding wheel, grinding force and surface roughness are tracked in the wear process. Using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), the optimal evaluation index of service life of electroplated CBN grinding wheel is proposed.
Verbond en verbondstekens in die Ou Testament – 'n terreinverkenning
Authors: Breytenbach A.P.B.
Published: December 2018

No abstract available.
Wat is 'n sakrament? 'n Poging om 'n antwoord te vind
Authors: Velthuysen G.C.
Published: December 2018

No abstract available.
'n Kort samevatting van die bespreking na die voorafgaande referate
Authors: Breytenbach A.P.B.
Published: December 2018

No abstract available.
Proefskrifbespreking
Authors: Dreyer T.F.J. , Pont A.D. , Booysen D.J.
Published: December 2018

No abstract available.
Boekbespreking
Authors: Du Toit Pieter , Dreyer T.F.J. , Smith D.J. , Prins S.J.
Published: December 2018

No abstract available.
Ectopic parathyroid adenoma in the carotid sheath
Authors: El Hemri Maisoon , Elbarsha Abdulwahab , Elmehdawi Rafik
Published: December 2018

Parathyroid adenomas can be found in various ectopic positions including the carotid sheath. We report a 52-year-old Libyan woman who presented with neck mass and a fragility fracture. Her serum Calcium was elevated (14.3 mg/dl), as well as her parathyroid hormone (1202 pg/ml). Technetium-99m-sestamibi scan showed a large localized parathyroid adenoma at the upper lateral left aspect of the neck just below the left submandibular gland. The patient underwent surgical resection, and the histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of parathyroid adenoma. The rarity of the ectopic parathyroid adenoma in the carotid sheath led to a delayed diagnosis of this case. Therefore, ectopic parathyroid adenoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of masses that arise from the carotid sheath.
Gender in Post-9/11 American Apocalyptic TV Representations of Masculinity and Femininity at the End of the World
Authors: Bennett Eve
Published: December 2018

In the years following 9/11, American TV developed a preoccupation with apocalypse. Science fiction and fantasy shows ranging from Firefly to Heroes, from the rebooted Battlestar Galactica to Lost, envisaged scenarios in which world-changing disasters were either threatened or actually took place. During the same period numerous commentators observed that the American media’s representation of gender had undergone a marked regression, possibly, it was suggested, as a consequence of the 9/11 attacks and the feelings of weakness and insecurity they engendered in the nation’s men.

Eve Bennett investigates whether the same impulse to return to traditional images of masculinity and femininity can be found in the contemporary cycle of apocalyptic series, programmes which, like 9/11 itself, present plenty of opportunity for narratives of damsels-in-distress and heroic male rescuers. However, as this book shows, whether such narratives play out in the expected manner is another matter.
The Aesthetics of Nostalgia TV Production Design and the Boomer Era
Authors: Bevan Alex
Published: December 2018

The Aesthetics of Nostalgia TV explores the aesthetic politics of nostalgia for 1950s and 60s America on contemporary television. Specifically, it looks at how nostalgic TV production design shapes and is shaped by larger historical discourses on gender and technological change, and America’s perceived decline as a global power. Alex Bevan argues that the aesthetics of nostalgic TV tell stories of their own about historical decline and progress, and the place of the baby boomer television suburb in American national memory. She contests theories on nostalgia that see it as stagnating, regressive, or a reversion to outdated gender and racial politics, and the technophobic longing for a bygone era; and, instead, argues nostalgia is an important form of historical memory and vehicle for negotiating periods of historical transition. The book addresses how and why the shows construct the boomer era as a placeholder for gender, racial, technological, and declensionist discourses of the present. The book uses Mad Men (AMC, 2007-2015), Ugly Betty (ABC, 2006-2010), Desperate Housewives (ABC, 2004-2012), and film remakes of 1950s and 60s family sitcoms as primary case studies.
Evaluating the performance of two surface layer schemes for the momentum and heat exchange processes during severe haze pollution in Jing-Jin-Ji in eastern China
Authors: Peng Yue , Wang Hong , Li Yubin , Liu Changwei , Zhao Tianliang , Zhang Xiaoye , Gao Zhiqiu , Jiang Tong , Che Huizheng , Zhang Meng
Published: December 2018

Abstract. The turbulent flux parameterization schemes in the surface layer are crucial
for air pollution modeling. There have been some deficiencies in the
prediction of air pollutants by atmosphere chemical models, which is closely
related to the uncertainties of the momentum and sensible heat fluxes
calculated in the surface layer. The differences between two surface layer
schemes (Li and MM5 schemes) were discussed, and the performances of two
schemes were mainly evaluated based on the observed momentum and sensible
heat fluxes during a heavy haze episode in Jing-Jin-Ji in eastern China. The
results showed that the aerodynamic roughness length z0m and the thermal
roughness length z0h played major roles in the flux calculation.
Compared with the Li scheme, ignoring the difference between z0m and
z0h in the MM5 scheme induced a great error in the calculation of
the sensible heat flux (e.g., the error was 54 % at Gucheng station). Besides
the roughness length, the algorithm for the surface turbulent flux as well as the
roughness sublayer also resulted in certain errors in the MM5 scheme. In
addition, magnitudes of z0m and z0h have significant influence on
the two schemes. The large z0m and z0m∕z0h in megacities with
a rough surface (e.g., Beijing) resulted in much larger differences of momentum
and sensible heat fluxes between Li and MM5, compared with the small
z0m and z0m∕z0h in suburban areas with a smooth surface (e.g.,
Gucheng). The Li scheme could better characterize the evolution of
atmospheric stratification than the MM5 scheme in general, especially for the
transition stage from unstable to stable atmospheric stratification,
corresponding to the PM2.5 accumulation. The biases of momentum and
sensible heat fluxes from Li were lower, about 38 % and 43 %,
respectively, than those from MM5 during this stage. This study indicates the
superiority of the Li scheme in describing regional atmospheric
stratification and an improved possibility of severe haze prediction in
Jing-Jin-Ji in eastern China by coupling it into atmosphere chemical models.
Iron minerals inhibit the growth of bacteria via a free-radical mechanism: Implications for soil carbon storage
Authors: Du Hai-Yan , Yu Guang-Hui , Sun Fu-Sheng , Usman Muhammad , Goodman Bernard A. , Ran Wei , Shen Qi-Rong
Published: December 2018

Abstract. Natural minerals in soil can inhibit the growth of bacteria that protect organic carbon from decay. However, the mechanism inhibiting the bacterial growth remains poorly understood. Here, using a series of cultivation experiments and biological, chemical and synchrotron-based spectral analyses, we showed that kaolinite, hematite, goethite and ferrihydrite had a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of Pseudomonas J12, which was more prominent with a concentration of 25 mg mL−1 than it was with either 10 mg mL−1 or 5 mg mL−1. In contrast, montmorillonite promoted the growth of Pseudomonas J12. Compared to Al-containing minerals, Fe(III)-containing minerals produced more hydroxyl radical (HO•) that have high efficiency for the inhibition of bacteria. Moreover, a significant positive correlation between HO• radical and Fe(II) was found, suggesting that Fe(II) contributes to the generation of HO•. Furthermore, both micro X-ray fluorescence and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies indicated that surface Fe(III) was reduced to Fe(II) which can produce HO• through the well-known Fenton reaction series. Together, these findings indicate that the reduced surface Fe(II) derived from Fe(III)-containing minerals inhibit bacteria via a free-radical mechanism, which may further contribute to soil carbon storage.
Ionian Abyssal Plain: A window into the Tethys oceanic lithosphere
Authors: Dannowski Anke , Kopp Heidrun , Klingelhoefer Frauke , Klaeschen Dirk , Gutscher Marc-André , Krabbenhoeft Anne , Dellong David , Rovere Marzia , Graindorge David , Papenberg Cord , Klaucke Ingo
Published: December 2018

Abstract. The nature of the Ionian Sea crust has been the subject of scientific debate for more than 30 years, mainly because seismic imaging of the deep crust and upper mantle of the Ionian Abyssal Plain (IAP) has not been conclusive to date. The IAP is sandwiched between the Calabrian and Hellenic subduction zones in the central Mediterranean. To univocally confirm the proposed oceanic nature of the IAP crust as a remnant of the Tethys ocean and to confute its interpretation as a strongly thinned part of the African continental crust, a NE-SW oriented 131 km long seismic refraction and wide-angle reflection profile consisting of eight ocean bottom seismometers and hydrophones was acquired in 2014. A P-wave velocity model developed from travel time forward modelling is refined by gravimetric data and synthetic modelling of the seismic data. A roughly 6 km thick crust with velocities ranging from 5.1 km/s to 7.2 km/s, top to bottom, can be traced throughout the IAP. In the vicinity of the Medina Seamounts at the southern IAP boundary, the crust thickens to about 9 km and seismic velocities decrease to 6.8 km/s at the crust-mantle boundary. The seismic velocity distribution and depth of the crust-mantle boundary in the IAP document its oceanic nature, and support the interpretation of the IAP as a remnant of the Tethys oceanic lithosphere formed during the Permian and Triassic period.
Kristeva's Severed Head in Iraq: Antoon’s The Corpse Washer
Authors: Restuccia Frances L.
Published: December 2018

This paper offers a Kristevan reading of Antoon's The Corpse Washer. Although this text focuses specifically on Arab/Muslim culture, which cannot be translated into a racial category, this reading is meant to show the pertinence of Kristevan psychoanalytic theory in a non-Western context.  One might go about linking such psychoanalytic work on non-Western writing to “race” in two ways.  Insofar as The Corpse Washer demonstrates the validity of Kristevan psychoanalytic theory for non-Western art/artists, it implies the universality of that theory, despite ethnicity, race, religion, etc.  Or if we presuppose the universality of Kristevan psychoanalytic theory, we may think of such work as testing the assumption that psychoanalysis can traverse all such culturally constructed boundaries.
La calidad de los MOOC como reto para la enseñanza de lenguas en entornos digitales
Authors: Amorós Negre Carla , Recio Diego Álvaro , Tomé Cornejo Carmela
Published: December 2018

Uno de los grandes retos de los entornos virtuales de aprendizaje es el control de la calidad. La proliferación de los MOOC (cursos online, masivos y abiertos) ha puesto en evidencia la necesidad de establecer nuevos modelos de evaluación cualitativa de los contenidos y propuestas didácticas en la enseñanza con mediación tecnológica. El objetivo de este artículo es analizar el concepto de calidad en estos entornos digitales, especialmente en el caso de los MOOC de lenguas (LMOOC), los cuales han experimentado un crecimiento del 250% en los tres últimos años, pese a las limitaciones que impone el formato. Para ello, se examinan los diferentes parámetros de calidad que deben considerarse en los procesos de elaboración de un MOOC (datos sobre los alumnos, tasas de abandono, buen aprendizaje y diseño instruccional, evaluación), así como los principales criterios y modelos que se han planteado para evaluarla, como el MOOC Quality Project (Creelman, Ehlers y Ossiannilsson 2014) o el Sello de Calidad de OpenupEd (Rosewell y Jansen 2014), entre otros. Por último, se analiza de manera específica la calidad aplicada a los MOOC de lenguas para, finalmente, sugerir una serie de propuestas de buenas prácticas que logren garantizar un aprendizaje eficaz.
La ELAO en el marco del enfoque por tareas
Authors: J. Blake Robert
Published: December 2018

La enseñanza de lenguas a través del ordenador (ELAO) puede tener lugar de dos maneras: (1) ELAO tutorial, donde el estudiante interactúa con los materiales digitales por su propia cuenta y (2) ELAO social, donde el ordenador provee el medio en el cual las personas llevan a cabo la comunicación a distancia. Cada ambiente aporta ventajas para el aprendizaje de una segunda lengua (2/L), especialmente si el marco pedagógico apunta a un enfoque por tareas (González Lloret & Ortega 2014). Los medios sociales y las videoconferencias han ampliado lo que se entiende por comunicación y pueden constituir nuevas estrategias para fomentar la adquisición de una 2/L. A la vez, no se deben minimizar los beneficios que ofrecen los programas/materiales de la ELAO tutorial, especialmente si se contempla lo difícil que es aprender un léxico adecuado y las colocaciones en una 2/L, junto con el desafío de controlar una nueva morfología y sintaxis. Por supuesto, hay que implementar estas nuevas tecnologías digitales de manera que sigan una autenticidad cultural y que se ajusten bien a las necesidades tanto del estudiante como del instructor (Hubbard 2006). En este estudio, se expondrán estos conceptos con ejemplos específicos de la Web 2.0, junto a sugerencias de cómo integrar las TIC dentro de un programa de 2/L con el enfoque por tareas.
Characterizing semantic memory loss: Towards the location of language breakdown
Authors: Pérez Cabello de Alba María Beatriz , Teomiro Ismael
Published: December 2018

Patients suffering from various types of dementia usually present an impaired performance with specific categories like animals, furniture, etc. This impairment is known as category-specific semantic deficit and can provide us with vital information as to how the conceptual-semantic knowledge is stored and organized in the brain. Until date, no theoretical model has been able to appropriately account for the unsystematic and varied patterns of categoryspecific semantic deficits found so far. Moreover, there seems to be no correlation between the type of brain damage and the pattern of memory loss, nor can the latter be accounted for by any of the so far proposed models of conceptual knowledge representation and storage in the brain. Our purpose is to adapt and provide a theoretical model that builds on FunGramKB ontology and helps understand and properly interpret the available empirical data. The advantage that comes from the use of this complex theoretical model is that it will allow us to pinpoint the break of the conceptual chain, providing a more accurate measure of the location of the semantic memory loss.
Formas pronominales de tratamiento en español y chino
Authors: Wang 王晋炜 Jinwei , Song 宋扬 Yang
Published: December 2018

A partir de un corpus compuesto por tres teleseries, este estudio analiza comparativamente tres características similares de las formas pronominales de tratamiento en español y chino –la elipsis de los pronombres de tratamiento sujeto, el polimorfismo pronominal y la lexicalización del pronombre de tratamiento de cortesía– y discute, asimismo, los distintos factores lingüísticos y socioculturales que les favorecen tales características.
Dom e troca no vocabulário indo-europeu: comentário sobre um texto de Benveniste
Authors: Silva Silvana
Published: December 2018

O presente artigo pretende fazer um comentário do texto Dom e troca no vocabulário indo-europeu procurando observar suas relações com textos da seção ‘O homem na língua’ dos PLGs e também com discussões presentes no livro ‘Economia’ do O Vocabulário das Instituições Indo Europeias. Tal comentário abrangerá quatro tarefas: 1. propor uma conceituação teórica; 2. problematizar noções anteriores (pressupostos); 3. propor uma reelaboração da rede conceitual do autor; 4.levantar hipóteses para uma prospeção teórica.
A língua como prática humana: desdobramentos das relações entre língua e sociedade
Authors: Knack Carolina
Published: December 2018

O presente texto, de caráter ensaístico, apresenta uma leitura prospectiva do artigo de Émile Benveniste intitulado “Estrutura da língua e estrutura da sociedade”, o qual integra a obra “Problemas de Linguística Geral II”. Considerando a indissociável implicação entre linguagem, homem e sociedade, discute-se a concepção de língua como “prática humana”, assim nomeada por Benveniste em seu artigo. A reflexão construída evidencia que tal concepção de língua decorre da relação constitutiva do falante com seu discurso e com a sociedade, destacando-se o alcance social da enunciação. Desse modo, entende-se haver, no artigo do linguista, elementos que revelam uma maior explicitação da abertura da teorização benvenistiana para o exame desse aspecto e, consequentemente, para a formulação de deslocamentos teóricos, metodológicos e analíticos para a abordagem de distintos fenômenos de linguagem.
Émile Benveniste e a dupla significância da língua: a distinção semiótico/semântico
Authors: Rosário Heloisa Monteiro
Published: December 2018

Este trabalho trata especificamente da dupla significância da língua, ou seja, das noções de semiótico e semântico formuladas por Émile Benveniste nos artigos “A forma e o sentido na linguagem” (1967; 1974) e “Semiologia da língua” (1969; 1974). Objetiva-se, de um lado, discutir a distinção semiótico/semântico (salientando-a em uma perspectiva linguística e outra semiológica) e, de outro, estabelecer uma relação entre o final programático proposto pelo linguista em “Semiologia da língua” e as noções de semiótico e semântico. Para tanto, além dos artigos citados, são mobilizados outros textos de seus Problemas de linguística geral (1966/1995; 1974/1989) em contraponto com a publicação Últimas aulas no Collège de France (1968 e 1969) (2012/2014), obra estabelecida geneticamente a partir de manuscritos do linguista e de seus ouvintes.
Indirect and direct standardization for evaluating transplant centers
Authors: He Kevin
Published: December 2018

To assess the quality of health care, patient outcomes associated with medical providers are routinely monitored in order to identify poor (or excellent) provider performance. To avoid confounding by risk factors, both indirect and direct standardization have been used for comparing outcome rates or prevalence for different providers. There has been an ongoing debate as to which standardization method is more appropriate. To compare the performance of indirect and direct standardization for the purpose of ranking transplant centers, we analyzed post-transplant mortality using the national kidney transplant data. Included in our analysis were 116,601 patients (from 230 transplant centers) who underwent kidney transplantation between January 2006 and December 2012. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to model the 30-day mortality, which were estimates of failures (grant failure or death) in the 30 days after the transplant surgery. Concordance indexes, kappa coefficients and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient were computed. The estimated values from these statistics for the indirect standardized method were similar to the direct standardization. The results suggest that both indirect and direct standardized methods provide similar ability to distinguish center effects.
The Impact of The Creativity Levels of The Students Who Study at The School of Physical Education and Sport on Theır Critical Thinking Dispositions
Authors: Pepe Osman
Published: December 2018

The aim of this study is to examine the impact of the creativity levels of the students who study at the School ofPhysical Education and Sport on their critical thinking dispositions.In accordance with this purpose, the sample is composed of 341 students randomly selected from the ErciyesUniversity School of Physical Education and Sport. In the study, The California Critical Thinking DispositionInventory which was adapted into Turkish by Kökdemir (2003), the creativity level scale adapted by Çoban (1999)and the "Personal Information Form" prepared by the researcher were used as data collection tools.Statistical analyzes of the data obtained from the Personal Information Form were made with the SPSS 20.0 packageprogram. Personal information about the candidates, total inventory scores and factor scores were given bydetermining their frequency (f) and percentage (%) values. The Pearson Product-Moment Correlation analysis (r)was applied in order to reveal the relationship between the scores obtained from the scales and the multipleregression analysis (β) was applied in order to determine whether the obtained scores were predictive of each other.While a positively significant relationship was revealed between creativity and the critical thinking sub-dimensionscuriousness, analyticalness, open-mindedness, truth-seeking, and self-confidence; a significant relationship could notbe determined between creativity and the systematicity sub-dimension. Also, it has been determined that the criticalthinking and creativity level scale scores were at medium level.When the results obtained from our study are examined, it is seen that the level of creativity affected critical thinkingmethods as well as many other areas. For this reason, it is thought that it is important for the teacher traininginstitutions to also include senior thinking skills in preparing their programs.
Characteristics of Muscle Power and Agility in Top-Level Junior Soft Tennis Players
Authors: Aoki Hiroki , Demura Shin-ichi , Nakada Masakatsu , Kitabayashi Tamotsu
Published: December 2018

This study examined the characteristics, such as muscle power and agility, of top-level junior soft tennis players. 36Japanese top-level junior (under-14) boys soft tennis players (age 13.4 ± 0.8 years，height 165.0 ± 9.7cm，andweight 53.9 ± 11.1 kg) with experience in international meet participation and 25 junior boys soft tennis players(age 13.1 ± 0.7 years，height 158.2 ± 9.5cm，weight 47.0 ± 8.2 kg) with experience in prefectural meetparticipation were the subjects of this study. Medicine ball (2 kg) throws to the right or left by trunk rotation andforward and backward by trunk extension (exercises recommended by Japan’s soft tennis association) were selectedto evaluate the muscle power of the subjects. Side step, spider, and front–back shuttle run tests (used by an Americantennis association) were selected to test the agility of the subjects. The top-level athletes were significantly superiorto the other junior players in the forward medicine ball throw, side step, and spider tests. These results suggest thatmuscle power in the forward direction and agility when moving to the right, left or diagonal direction are moredeveloped in top-level soft tennis players than in other players.
Exploring the Use of Written Authentic Materials in ESL Reading Classes: Benefits and Challenges
Authors: Albiladi Waheeb S.
Published: December 2018

The growing popularity of authentic materials provides English language teachers with more resources to practice the real language in language classrooms (Guo, 2012). However, integrating these types of reading materials can be difficult and time-consuming even though there are many benefits to using them to teach language learners how to read. Real-life based texts, which are not specifically designed for educational purposes have been recognized by many educators to be effective and interesting materials. The purpose of this study was to explore language learners’ perceptions about the benefits and challenges of using authentic materials in English reading classes. The study involved 16 adult English language learners enrolled in an intensive English program. Observations of reading classes and semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data. Results indicated that the use of authentic materials leads to many social and academic benefits, such as increasing students’ motivation and their cultural awareness. Findings also suggest that the use of authentic materials are encouraged as they bring the sense of authenticity and reality to the language classrooms.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of Psychological Studies, Vol. 10, No. 4
Authors: Sun Barbara
Published: December 2018

Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of Psychological Studies, Vol. 10, No. 4
Investigating Learners' Attitudes Toward Virtual Reality Learning Environments in Embryology Education
Authors: Alfalah Salasabeel F. M. , Falah Jannat F. , Muhaidat Nadia , Elfalah Mutasem , Falah Orwa
Published: December 2018

Embryology is taught to undergraduates in a variety of health sciences, largely depending on traditional teaching methods. The human embryo's development is complex and dynamic, and to digest all the related facts, students are always searching for educational tools to enhance their learning experience. Virtual Reality (VR) is a promising technology that aids in the realization of 3 Dimensional (3D) relations of structures by visualization rather than memorization. This paper utilizes a mixed method research consisting of focus group interviews, followed by a questionnaire to evaluate the current teaching methodology, identify shortfalls of traditional learning tools, and determine how VR may enhance the learning process, and the students' acceptance of introduction of this technology into their curriculum. It demonstrates that a VR embryology system would provide a valuable addition to existing educational tools, which is appealing to users, and has the potential to overcome some of the current methods' shortfalls.
Enhancing the Strategies of Climate Responsive Architecture, The Study of Solar Accessibility for Buildings Standing on Sloped Sites
Authors: Alshboul Abdulsalam A. , Alkurdi Nabeel Y.
Published: December 2018

One of the fundamental parameters for low energy architecture strategies implementations is to allow solar sun penetration into buildings, which can contribute to free heating in buildings and reduce energy consumption during cold season; through many design strategies that could be applied to buildings.

This is not easily achieved until a complete analysis of solar accessibility is done, which in turn enables us to decide whether such strategies are applicable or not.

Amman city is a case where such analysis is a must due to the problems of fuel scarcity and high fuel costs as well. In addition, the topographical nature of Amman city is not plain; rather it is almost mountainous, which makes it important to ensure solar accessibility on slope sites.

Much of modern apartments in Amman were built on sloped sites.

Method of research will depend on selected cases for solar radiation quantification for a number of cases including mainly modern residential buildings built on slope sites; this method will depend mainly on graphical analysis for solar penetration (INSOLATION) and theoretical calculations for the different cases.

Calculations of solar radiation were based on measured global irradiation, they were calculated for the under heated period for Amman; then a strategy were built to derive new set back values.

Recommendations will be as a set of rule of the thumb for direct application for the practicing architect, and they are reflected as new setback values between buildings. It will be the first step towards a complete set of regulations to ensure solar accessibility to buildings constructed on slope sites in Amman city and for other regions of similar slopes, looking for the target of maximizing solar radiation availability for minimizing fossil fuel consumption as an introduction to the study of sustainable buildings in Jordan.
Developing an Instructional Unit in Vocational Education Curriculum, based on the International Standards of Nutrition and Sports, and Investigating its Effectiveness on Improving the Physical Self-Concept among Eighth Grade Female Students in Jordan
Authors: Ali Saleh Reem Suleiman Ahmed , Haroun Ramzi F.
Published: December 2018

The aim of this study was to identify the effectiveness of a developed Instructional Unit Based on International Standards in Nutrition and Sports and Examine its Effectiveness on Improving the Physical Self-Concept Among Eighth Grade Female Students in Jordan. The students were selected from the eighth grade students in the first Secondary university schools –Femal- in the capital Amman during the Second semester of the academic year 2017/2018. The researchers identified the private schools that include two divisions of the eighth grade and chose one of them. One of the two divisions was randomly assigned to be an experimental group (26) and the other to be a control group (29) students. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, the measure of the self-concept of the body was composed of (24) items. An Instructional Unit was developed in the vocational education curriculum based on international standards in nutrition and sports to measure its effectiveness in improving the concept of the physical self. The developed unit consisted of (8) international standards in nutrition and sport, where (36) outcomes were derived, and were implemented in (20) Forty-five-minute lessons.

The results showed a statistically significant effect on the developed unit based on the global standards in nutrition and sport. The level of the self-concept of the students in the experimental group was higher than the students of the control group.
The Political Economy of a Carbon Price Floor for Power Generation
Authors: Newbery David M. , Reiner David M. , Ritz Robert A.
Published: December 2018

The EU carbon price lies well below estimates of the social cost of carbon and “target-consistent” carbon prices needed to deliver ambitious targets such as the 40% reduction target for 2030. In light of this, the UK introduced a carbon price floor (CPF) for its electricity sector in 2013 and the new Dutch Government has recently made a similar commitment, while successive French Governments have called for an EU-wide CPF. This paper analyzes the impacts and design of a power-sector CPF, both at the EU and national level, using a political-economy approach. We find a good case for introducing such a price-based instrument into the EU ETS. We suggest that a CPF should be designed to “top up” the EUA price to €25-30/tCO2, rising annually at 3-5% above inflation, at least until 2030. We argue that the new EU Market Stability Reserve enhances the value of a CPF in terms of delivering climate benefits, and discuss the potential for a regional CPF in North-West Europe. We also review international policy experience with price floors (and ceilings).
Educational Activity of Polish Christian Women’s Societies in the South-Eastern Borderlands in the Second Polish Republic
Authors: Piwowarczyk Mirosław
Published: December 2018

In the interwar period, Christian women’s societies operating in the three provinces of the south-eastern Second Republic of Poland: Lwów, Stanisławów and Tarnopol, through their social and educational activities, played a significant role in the development of education, culture, social and economic life in these areas. They have contributed to the development of various socio-cultural, charitable, caring, educational and economic activities. Their large number and often similar scope of activities required proper coordination, efficient management and supervision. Union of Polish Christian Women’s Societies was founded in Lwów in 1913 and was conducting its activity until 1939 and such a task was undertaking that task
The Catholic Church in Siberia and its Educational Activities for the 19th Century Polish Exiles
Authors: Jędrychowska Barbara
Published: December 2018

Polish 19th century exiles to Siberia are inseparably connected with the activity of the Catholic Church in the area, which was organized by the Mohyliv archdiocese with an archbishop in Sankt Petersburg. The two central Siberian Roman Catholic parishes (east in Irkutsk and west in Tomsk) were the first official organization for Poles living in the area. They played an important role in the life of a community of people sent away from home against their will, far away from home and their families. The parishes gave these people the ability to fulfil their religious needs and, at the same time, meant a part of their home country and freedom for these people. Thanks to the tremendous effort from Polish priests, who were often exiles themselves, there were libraries, orphanages, refuges, small schools and charitable societies organized in the parish.
Stock Prices and the Rate of Return Analysis: The Case of Warsaw Stock Exchange
Authors: Jasiniak Magdalena
Published: December 2018

The main aims of this article are to verify whether rates of return might be determined by stock prices and to evaluate low price anomaly on the example of Warsaw Stock Exchange. The author states that cheap assets characterized by nominally lower prices are more attractive to buy and bring higher profits in comparison to assets described as expensive. In order to verify the hypothesis, database of 13789 quotations from 1.07.1999 to 30.12.2013 was created. The sample was divided into three groups – cheap, average, and expensive stocks. Finally, the statistical analysis was conducted using 2924 records including only cheap and expensive units. Statistical analysis confirms that low–priced assets generate higher profits and lower losses.
Identifying Preanalytic and Postanalytic Laboratory Quality Gaps Using a Data Warehouse and Structured Multidisciplinary Process
Authors: Raebel Marsha A. , Quintana LeeAnn M. , Schroeder Emily B. , Shetterly Susan M. , Pieper Lisa E. , Epner Paul L. , Bechtel Laura K. , Smith David H. , Sterrett Andrew T. , Chorny Joseph A. , Lubin Ira M.
Published: December 2018

Context.—

The laboratory total testing process includes preanalytic, analytic, and postanalytic phases, but most laboratory quality improvement efforts address the analytic phase. Expanding quality improvement to preanalytic and postanalytic phases via use of medical data warehouses, repositories that include clinical, utilization, and administrative data, can improve patient care by ensuring appropriate test utilization. Cross-department, multidisciplinary collaboration to address gaps and improve patient and system outcomes is beneficial.

Objective.—

To demonstrate medical data warehouse utility for characterizing laboratory-associated quality gaps amenable to preanalytic or postanalytic interventions.

Design.—

A multidisciplinary team identified quality gaps. Medical data warehouse data were queried to characterize gaps. Organizational leaders were interviewed about quality improvement priorities. A decision aid with elements including national guidelines, local and national importance, and measurable outcomes was completed for each gap.

Results.—

Gaps identified included (1) test ordering; (2) diagnosis, detection, and documentation, and (3) high-risk medication monitoring. After examination of medical data warehouse data including enrollment, diagnoses, laboratory, pharmacy, and procedures for baseline performance, high-risk medication monitoring was selected, specifically alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, complete blood count, and creatinine testing among patients receiving disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. The test utilization gap was in monitoring timeliness (eg, >60% of patients had a monitoring gap exceeding the guideline recommended frequency). Other contributors to selecting this gap were organizational enthusiasm, regulatory labeling, and feasibility of a significant laboratory role in addressing the gap.

Conclusions.—

A multidisciplinary process facilitated identification and selection of a laboratory medicine quality gap. Medical data warehouse data were instrumental in characterizing gaps.
CYTO Lab Hacks: Inspiring innovation in cytometry through open collaboration
Authors: Nedbal Jakub , Cotleur Bunny , Gagnon Dominic , Litwin Virginia , Molloy Jenny , Ohlsson-Wilhelm Betsy
Published: December 2018

This article reports on a conference workshop conducted at CYTO 2018. During the workshop a new Open Science forum "CYTO Lab Hacks" has been launched within the International Society for the Advancement of Cytometry (ISAC). Its goal is to serve as an open, transparent, sustainable and accessible forum for innovation-exchange in cytometry. Here we report the captured status quo, the perceived requirements of the members in relation to open innovation sharing and dissemination and publicize the format of "CYTO Lab Hacks".
A new phylogenetic analysis of Phytosauria (Archosauria: Pseudosuchia) with the application of continuous and geometric morphometric character coding
Authors: Jones Andrew S. , Butler Richard J.
Published: December 2018

Phytosauria is a clade of large, carnivorous, semi-aquatic archosauromorphs which reached its peak diversity and an almost global distribution in the Late Triassic (c. 230–201 Mya). Previous phylogenetic analyses of Phytosauria have either focused primarily on the relationships of specific subclades, or were limited in taxonomic scope, and no taxonomically comprehensive dataset is currently available. We here present the most taxonomically comprehensive cladistic dataset of phytosaurs to date, based on extensive first-hand study, identification of novel characters and synthesis of previous matrices. This results in an almost twofold increase in phylogenetic information scored per taxon over previous analyses. Alongside a traditional discrete character matrix, three variant matrices were analysed in which selected characters were coded using continuous and landmarking methods, to more rigorously explore phytosaur relationships. Based on these four data matrices, four tree topologies were recovered. Relationships among non-leptosuchomorph phytosaurs are largely consistent between these four topologies, whereas those of more derived taxa are more variable. Rutiodon carolinensis consistently forms a sister relationship with Angistorhinus. In three topologies Nicrosaurus nests deeply within a group of traditionally non-Mystriosuchini taxa, leading us to redefine Mystriosuchini by excluding Nicrosaurus as an internal specifier. Two distinct patterns of relationships within Mystriosuchini are present in the four topologies, distinguished largely by the variable position of Mystriosuchus. In two topologies Mystriosuchus forms the most basal clade in Mystriosuchini, whilst in the others it occupies a highly derived position within the Machaeroprosopus clade. ‘Redondasaurus’ is consistently recovered as monophyletic; however, it also nests within the Machaeroprosopus clade. The greatest impact on tree topology was associated with the incorporation of continuous data into our matrices, with landmark characters exerting a relatively modest influence. All topologies correlated significantly with stratigraphic range estimates. Topological variability in our results highlights clades in which further investigation may better elucidate phytosaur relationships.