bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fracture-Mechanics Behaviour of Ceramic Foam with Macroscopic Stress Concentrator upon the Tensile Test
Authors: Ševeček Oldřich , Majer Zdeněk , Bertolla Luca , Chlup Zdeněk , Kotoul Michal
Published: September 2017

The work investigates an influence of the macroscopic stress concentrator inside the ceramic open cell foam structure on the fracture-mechanics response of the foam upon the tensile test. As the concentrator, the central crack/rectangular notch was taken into account. The influence of the crack/notch length and width on the stress concentration ahead the concentrator tip was assessed using the simplified FE beam element based model with irregular cells simulating the real ceramic foam structure. Average principal stresses calculated on set of struts ahead the crack/notch tip were compared with average stresses in the intact structure. It was found that the ratio of these stresses increases linearly with the crack length. The stress concentration ratio is slightly lower in case of thick rectangular notch than in case of a thin crack. Furthermore, the failure load leading to complete fracture of the studied specimens, subjected to the tensile loading, were calculated using the same model. It is shown that the difference factor between the critical fracture force in case of structure without concentrator and with concentrator is very close to the concentration factor calculated from the average stresses on particular struts in the region in front of the concentrator tip.
Transkonfessionalisme, konstruktivisme en Karel Schoeman (1939–2017) oor die Kaapse piëtisme
Authors: Raath Andries W.G.
Published: September 2017

Transconfessionalism, constructivism and Karel Schoeman (1939–2017) on Cape pietism. The South African historiographer Karel Schoeman’s (1939–2017) research on 17th and 18thcentury ecclesiastical life and Protestant spirituality at the Cape is embedded in the context of transconfessional and transnational pietism research. As such, Schoeman’s transconfessional approach produces important correctives to traditional constructivist pietism approaches. Schoeman’s approach enables him to study Cape Protestant spirituality of the 17th and 18th centuries within the context of pietism being the most significant devotional movement (Frommigkeitsbewegung) of Protestantism after the Reformation, manifesting pietism primarily as a religious phenomenon with astonishing spatial, temporal, social, spiritual, churchconfessional and theological complexities that arose around the turn of the 16th to the 17th century from criticism of the existing ecclesiastical and spiritual relations at nearly the same time in England, the Netherlands and Germany. From there it spread to Switzerland, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and the United States. It contributed to a great extent to the worldwide Protestant mission and has remained an active movement into the present.
Riemann problems for viscoelastic media
Authors: Manganaro Natale
Published: September 2017

In this paper we considered a hyperbolic first order nonhomogeneous system of PDEs describing a viscoelastic medium where short memory effects are present. We solved a class of Riemann problems by integrating a suitable 2 x 2 reduced homogeneous model. The nonlinear interaction of two shock waves propagating in opposite directions are studied.
Twist and non-twist regimes of the oblate planet problem
Authors: Celletti Alessandra , Paita Fabrizio , Pucacco Giuseppe
Published: September 2017

We consider the dynamics of a point-mass object, e.g. a small satellite, around a primary rigid body, e.g. a planet. We assume that the planet is oblate and axially symmetric with respect to the vertical axis. Revisiting a procedure described in [19], we make use of the first integrals (the energy and the projection of the angular momentum on the vertical axis), so to reduce the problem to the study of a one-dimensional, time-dependent Hamiltonian system. Such Hamiltonian depends upon control parameters, which represent the coefficients of the zonal terms of the gravitational potential. We provide the explicit expressions of the most relevant terms of the expansion of the potential in spherical harmonics. Averaging over the fast angles one obtains a one-dimensional system. A Poincare´ map of such Hamiltonian is also introduced. We discuss the conditions under which the Hamiltonian (or the mapping) satisfies the twist condition, which is needed in KAM theory to ensure the existence of rotational invariant surfaces. A qualitative description of the dynamics in the twist and non-twist regimes is performed; it is based on the analysis of the equilibrium solutions and on the occurrence of bifurcations as the parameters are varied.
Grioli’s Theorem with weights and the relaxed-polar mechanism of optimal Cosserat rotations
Authors: Fischle Andreas , Neff Patrizio
Published: September 2017

Let

F \in \mathrm {GL}^+(3)

and consider the right polar decomposition

F = \mathrm {R_p}(F) \cdot U

into an orthogonal factor

\mathrm {R_p}(F) \in \mathrm {SO}(3)

and a symmetric, positive definite factor

U = \sqrt{F^TF} \in \mathrm {Psym}(3)

. In 1940 Giuseppe Grioli proved that

\argmin\limits_{R\,\in\,\mathrm{SO}(3)} \| R^T F - 1\!\! 1 \|^2=
\{\, \mathrm{R}_p(F)\,\} =
\argmin\limits_{R\,\in\,\mathrm{SO}(3)}\|F - R\|^2\; .

This variational characterization of the orthogonal factor

\mathrm {R_p}(F) \in \mathrm {SO}(n)

holds in any dimension

n \geq 2

(a result due to Martins and Podio-Guidugli). In a similar spirit, we characterize the optimal rotations

\mathrm{rpolar}_{\mu,\mu_c}(F) \coloneqq
\argmin\limits_{R\in \mathrm{SO}(n)} \{\mu \|\mathrm{sym}(R^TF - 1\!\! 1)\|^2 +
\mu_c\|\mathrm{skew}(R^TF - 1\!\! 1)\|^2\}

for given weights

\mu > 0

and

\mu_c \geq 0

. We identify a classical parameter range

\mu_c \geq \mu > 0

for which Grioli’s Theorem is recovered and a non-classical parameter range

\mu > \mu_c \geq 0

giving rise to a new type of globally energy-minimizing rotations which can substantially deviate from

\mathrm {R_p}(F)

. In mechanics, the weighted energy subject to minimization appears as the shear-stretch contribution in any geometrically nonlinear, quadratic, and isotropic Cosserat theory.
Estimates for transportation costs along solutions to Fokker–Planck–Kolmogorov equations with dissipative drifts
Authors: Manita Oxana A.
Published: September 2017

We obtain estimates for the Kantorovich transportation costs along solutions to different Fokker–Planck–Kolmogorov equations for measures with the same diffusion part but with different drifts and different initial conditions. We give applications of such estimates to the study of the well-posedness for nonlinear equations.
Impacts of climate mitigation strategies in the energy sector on global land use and carbon balance
Authors: Engström Kerstin , Lindeskog Mats , Olin Stefan , Hassler John , Smith Benjamin
Published: September 2017

Abstract. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit damage to the global economy climate-change-induced and secure the livelihoods of future generations requires ambitious mitigation strategies. The introduction of a global carbon tax on fossil fuels is tested here as a mitigation strategy to reduce atmospheric CO2 concentrations and radiative forcing. Taxation of fossil fuels potentially leads to changed composition of energy sources, including a larger relative contribution from bioenergy. Further, the introduction of a mitigation strategy reduces climate-change-induced damage to the global economy, and thus can indirectly affect consumption patterns and investments in agricultural technologies and yield enhancement. Here we assess the implications of changes in bioenergy demand as well as the indirectly caused changes in consumption and crop yields for global and national cropland area and terrestrial biosphere carbon balance. We apply a novel integrated assessment modelling framework, combining three previously published models (a climate–economy model, a socio-economic land use model and an ecosystem model). We develop reference and mitigation scenarios based on the narratives and key elements of the shared socio-economic pathways (SSPs). Taking emissions from the land use sector into account, we find that the introduction of a global carbon tax on the fossil fuel sector is an effective mitigation strategy only for scenarios with low population development and strong sustainability criteria (SSP1 Taking the green road). For scenarios with high population growth, low technological development and bioenergy production the high demand for cropland causes the terrestrial biosphere to switch from being a carbon sink to a source by the end of the 21st century.
Magnetogama: an open schematic magnetometer
Authors:   Wahyudi, Khakhim Nurul , Kuntoro Tri , Mardiatno Djati , Rakhman Afif , Handaru Anas Setyo , Mufaqih Adien Akhmad , Irnaka Theodosius Marwan
Published: September 2017

Abstract. Magnetogama is an open schematic hand-assembled fluxgate magnetometer. Compared to another magnetometer, Magnetogama has more benefit concerning its price and its ease of use. Practically Magnetogama can be utilized either in land or attached to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Magnetogama was designed to give open access to a cheap and accurate alternative to magnetometer sensor. Therefore it can be used as a standard design which is directly applicable to the low-budget company or education purposes. Schematic, code and several verification tests were presented in this article ensuring its reproducibility. Magnetogama has been tested with two kind of tests: a comparison with two nearest observatories at Learmonth (LRM) and Kakadu (KDU) and the response of magnetic substance.
EURODELTA-Trends, a multi-model experiment of air quality hindcast in Europe over 1990–2010
Authors: Colette Augustin , Andersson Camilla , Manders Astrid , Mar Kathleen , Mircea Mihaela , Pay Maria-Teresa , Raffort Valentin , Tsyro Svetlana , Cuvelier Cornelius , Adani Mario , Bessagnet Bertrand , Bergström Robert , Briganti Gino , Butler Tim , Cappelletti Andrea , Couvidat Florian , D'Isidoro Massimo , Doumbia Thierno , Fagerli Hilde , Granier Claire , Heyes Chris , Klimont Zig , Ojha Narendra , Otero Noelia , Schaap Martijn , Sindelarova Katarina , Stegehuis Annemiek I. , Roustan Yelva , Vautard Robert , van Meijgaard Erik , Vivanco Marta Garcia , Wind Peter
Published: September 2017

Abstract. The EURODELTA-Trends multi-model chemistry-transport experiment has been designed to facilitate a better understanding of the evolution of air pollution and its drivers for the period 1990–2010 in Europe. The main objective of the experiment is to assess the efficiency of air pollutant emissions mitigation measures in improving regional-scale air quality. The present paper formulates the main scientific questions and policy issues being addressed by the EURODELTA-Trends modelling experiment with an emphasis on how the design and technical features of the modelling experiment answer these questions. The experiment is designed in three tiers, with increasing degrees of computational demand in order to facilitate the participation of as many modelling teams as possible. The basic experiment consists of simulations for the years 1990, 2000, and 2010. Sensitivity analysis for the same three years using various combinations of (i) anthropogenic emissions, (ii) chemical boundary conditions, and (iii) meteorology complements it. The most demanding tier consists of two complete time series from 1990 to 2010, simulated using either time-varying emissions for corresponding years or constant emissions. Eight chemistry-transport models have contributed with calculation results to at least one experiment tier, and five models have – to date – completed the full set of simulations (and 21-year trend calculations have been performed by four models). The modelling results are publicly available for further use by the scientific community. The main expected outcomes are (i) an evaluation of the models' performances for the three reference years, (ii) an evaluation of the skill of the models in capturing observed air pollution trends for the 1990–2010 time period, (iii) attribution analyses of the respective role of driving factors (e.g. emissions, boundary conditions, meteorology), (iv) a dataset based on a multi-model approach, to provide more robust model results for use in impact studies related to human health, ecosystem, and radiative forcing.
SUPECA kinetics for scaling redox reactions in networks of mixed substrates and consumers and an example application to aerobic soil respiration
Authors: Tang Jin-Yun , Riley William J.
Published: September 2017

Abstract. Several land biogeochemical models used for studying carbon–climate feedbacks have begun explicitly representing microbial dynamics. However, to our knowledge, there has been no theoretical work on how to achieve a consistent scaling of the complex biogeochemical reactions from microbial individuals to populations, communities, and interactions with plants and mineral soils. We focus here on developing a mathematical formulation of the substrate–consumer relationships for consumer-mediated redox reactions of the form A + BE→  products, where products could be, e.g., microbial biomass or bioproducts. Under the quasi-steady-state approximation, these substrate–consumer relationships can be formulated as the computationally difficult full equilibrium chemistry problem or approximated analytically with the dual Monod (DM) or synthesizing unit (SU) kinetics. We find that DM kinetics is scaling inconsistently for reaction networks because (1) substrate limitations are not considered, (2) contradictory assumptions are made regarding the substrate processing rate when transitioning from single- to multi-substrate redox reactions, and (3) the product generation rate cannot be scaled from one to multiple substrates. In contrast, SU kinetics consistently scales the product generation rate from one to multiple substrates but predicts unrealistic results as consumer abundances reach large values with respect to their substrates. We attribute this deficit to SU's failure to incorporate substrate limitation in its derivation. To address these issues, we propose SUPECA (SU plus the equilibrium chemistry approximation – ECA) kinetics, which consistently imposes substrate and consumer mass balance constraints. We show that SUPECA kinetics satisfies the partition principle, i.e., scaling invariance across a network of an arbitrary number of reactions (e.g., as in Newton's law of motion and Dalton's law of partial pressures). We tested SUPECA kinetics with the equilibrium chemistry solution for some simple problems and found SUPECA outperformed SU kinetics. As an example application, we show that a steady-state SUPECA-based approach predicted an aerobic soil respiration moisture response function that agreed well with laboratory observations. We conclude that, as an extension to SU and ECA kinetics, SUPECA provides a robust mathematical representation of complex soil substrate–consumer interactions and can be applied to improve Earth system model (ESM) land models.
An assessment of the performance of global rainfall estimates without ground-based observations
Authors: Massari Christian , Crow Wade , Brocca Luca
Published: September 2017

Abstract. Satellite-based rainfall estimates over land have great potential for a wide range of applications, but their validation is challenging due to the scarcity of ground-based observations of rainfall in many areas of the planet. Recent studies have suggested the use of triple collocation (TC) to characterize uncertainties associated with rainfall estimates by using three collocated rainfall products. However, TC requires the simultaneous availability of three products with mutually uncorrelated errors, a requirement which is difficult to satisfy with current global precipitation data sets. In this study, a recently developed method for rainfall estimation from soil moisture observations, SM2RAIN, is demonstrated to facilitate the accurate application of TC within triplets containing two state-of-the-art satellite rainfall estimates and a reanalysis product. The validity of different TC assumptions are indirectly tested via a high-quality ground rainfall product over the contiguous United States (CONUS), showing that SM2RAIN can provide a truly independent source of rainfall accumulation information which uniquely satisfies the assumptions underlying TC. On this basis, TC is applied with SM2RAIN on a global scale in an optimal configuration to calculate, for the first time, reliable global correlations (vs. an unknown truth) of the aforementioned products without using a ground benchmark data set. The analysis is carried out during the period 2007–2012 using daily rainfall accumulation products obtained at 1° × 1° spatial resolution. Results convey the relatively high performance of the satellite rainfall estimates in eastern North and South America, southern Africa, southern and eastern Asia, eastern Australia, and southern Europe, as well as complementary performances between the reanalysis product and SM2RAIN, with the first performing reasonably well in the Northern Hemisphere and the second providing very good performance in the Southern Hemisphere. The methodology presented in this study can be used to identify the best rainfall product for hydrologic models with sparsely gauged areas and provide the basis for an optimal integration among different rainfall products.
Extracting real-crack properties from non-linear elastic behaviour of rocks: abundance of cracks with dominating normal compliance and rocks with negative Poisson ratios
Authors: Zaitsev Vladimir Y. , Radostin Andrey V. , Pasternak Elena , Dyskin Arcady
Published: September 2017

Abstract. Results of examination of experimental data on non-linear elasticity of rocks using experimentally determined pressure dependences of P- and S-wave velocities from various literature sources are presented. Overall, over 90 rock samples are considered. Interpretation of the data is performed using an effective-medium description in which cracks are considered as compliant defects with explicitly introduced shear and normal compliances without specifying a particular crack model with an a priori given ratio of the compliances. Comparison with the experimental data indicated abundance (∼ 80 %) of cracks with the normal-to-shear compliance ratios that significantly exceed the values typical of conventionally used crack models (such as penny-shaped cuts or thin ellipsoidal cracks). Correspondingly, rocks with such cracks demonstrate a strongly decreased Poisson ratio including a significant (∼ 45 %) portion of rocks exhibiting negative Poisson ratios at lower pressures, for which the concentration of not yet closed cracks is maximal. The obtained results indicate the necessity for further development of crack models to account for the revealed numerous examples of cracks with strong domination of normal compliance. Discovering such a significant number of naturally auxetic rocks is in contrast to the conventional viewpoint that occurrence of a negative Poisson ratio is an exotic fact that is mostly discussed for artificial structures.
High-resolution diapycnal mixing map of the Alboran Sea thermocline from seismic
reflection images
Authors: Mojica Jhon F. , Sallares Valentí , Biescas Berta
Published: September 2017

Abstract. The Alboran Sea is a dynamically active region where the salty and warm Mediterranean water first encounters the incoming milder and cooler Atlantic water. The interaction between these two water masses originates a set of sub-mesoscale structures and a complex sequence of processes that entail mixing close to the thermocline. Here we present a high-resolution map of the diapycnal diffusivity around the thermocline depth obtained using acoustic data recorded with a high-resolution multichannel seismic system. The map reveals a patchy thermocline, with areas of strong diapycnal mixing juxtaposed with others of weaker mixing. The patch size is of a few kms in the horizontal scale and of 10–15 m in the vertical one. The comparison of the obtained maps with the original acoustic images shows that vigorous mixing tends to occur in areas of internal wave instability, whereas mixing levels in more stable areas is lower. These results are also compared with others obtained using conventional probes. The values obtained using the two methods agree within uncertainty bounds, and they are also consistent with reference theoretical values. Overall, our results demonstrate that high-resolution seismic systems allow to remotely quantify mixing at the thermocline depth with a lateral resolution of O(101 m).
Soft ideal topological space and mixed fuzzy soft ideal topological space
Authors: Borah Manash , Hazarika Bipan
Published: September 2017

In this paper we introduce fuzzy soft ideal and mixed fuzzy soft ideal topological spaces and some properties of this space. Also we introduce fuzzy soft $I$-open set, fuzzy soft $\alpha$-$I$-open set, fuzzy soft pre-$I$-open set, fuzzy soft semi-$I$-open set and fuzzy soft $\beta$-$I$-open set and discuss some of their properties.
Numerical computations of the PCD method
Authors: Tahiri Ahmed
Published: September 2017

The PCD (piecewise constant distributions) method is a discretization technique of the boundary value problems in which the unknown distribution and its derivatives are represented by piecewise constant distributions but on distinct meshes. It has the advantage of producing the most sparse stiffness matrix resulting from the approximate problem. In this contribution, we propose a general PCD triangulation by combining rectangular elements and triangular elements. We also apply this discretization technique for the elasticity problem. We end with presentation of numerical results of the proposed method for the 2D diffusion equation.
Cuidar un paciente moribundo es una confrontación entre mostrar sentimientos y desempeño profesional
Authors: Lopera-Betancur Martha Adiela
Published: September 2017

Objetivo: comprender el significado que las enfermeras le dan al cuidado del paciente ad portas de la muerte. Método: se realizaron entrevistas a 23 enfermeras que han cuidado a pacientes ad portas de la muerte y se realizó observación participante en un hospital de tercer nivel de Medellín, Colombia. Los datos se analizaron por proceso inductivo para obtener categorías y subcategorías. Resultados: el cuidado del paciente que está ad portas de la muerte significa una confrontación interna, pues ellas tienen la concepción que mostrar sentimientos por la muerte no es profesional, pero al no hacerlo sienten que ejercen una práctica profesional poco humanizada. Discusión: cuando un paciente va a morir, las enfermeras evalúan qué tan profesional es mostrar sentimientos y qué tan deshumanizado es no hacerlo. Conclusión: cuidar a un paciente ad portas de morir significa ejercer una profesión humanística que deben aceptar.
Terapias de sustitución de la función Renal: Metaestudio y síntesis de evidencias cualitativas
Authors: Mesa-Melgarejo Lorena , Carrillo-Algarra Ana Julia , Castiblanco Ruth Alexandra , Reina Liliana Marcela , Ávila Tania Marcela
Published: September 2017

El objetivo del presente estudio fue sintetizar en términos de evidencias cualitativas o evidencias Q hallazgos derivados de estudios cualitativos frente al tema de las terapias de sustitución de la función renal (TSFR). Método: metaestudio cualitativo desarrollado en cuatro momentos. Resultados: se integraron 75 estudios. De los cuales, 52 exploraban experiencias relacionadas con hemodiálisis (HD), 10 de diálisis peritoneal (DP), 6 trasplante, 6 DP y HD al mismo tiempo y 1 estudio exploró las 3 TSFR. Los estudios incluidos describen y representan el fenómeno de vivir en una condición de cronicidad y estar sometido a una TSFR de manera muy semejante, que se agruparon en patrones comunes del fenómeno, estos son descritos en tres grandes temáticas: la metamorfosis de la vida; dolores diversos y la terapia invade la vida. Conclusión: los resultados dan cuenta de la estrecha interrelación de las dimensiones humanas, por esto el fenómeno de vivir en una TSFR genera una transfiguración el “Ser”, como totalidad, pues no es posible desligar una dimensión de otra, de allí la importancia de pensar la atención de las necesidades en perspectiva relacional y no jerarquizada.
Chasu Euphemisms: An Ethnolinguistic Descriptive Account
Authors: Msuya Erasmus Akiley
Published: September 2017

The current study is an ethnographic descriptive account of use of euphuisms among the Chasu speaking community in their attempts to avoid impolite words. The study was conducted in Mwanga district, Kilimanjaro Region, in a remote rural ward known as Ngujini. 20 elderly people (13 men and 7 women) took part in the study, having been purposively sampled to be key informants. This was complimented by the researcher’s introspection since he belongs to the same speech community as a native speaker. Data were gathered through spontaneous elicitation and were sound-recorded and later transcribed and then classified into their respective categories. The categories in focus were reference to sexual and excretory organs, reference to sexual and excretory processes, references to diseases and deaths and reference to pregnancy, births and deaths. The findings indicated that euphemisms referring to sexual activity were most dominant and picturesque while those referring to burial were the fewest. Most euphemisms were semantic extensions of existing Chasu words while a few were borrowings from other languages, notably Kiswahili. It has been concluded that Chasu people have crafty way of communicating whatever is unpleasant or impolite but also there are times their euphemistic expressions had attitudinal overtones leading to some pejorative expressions.
Understanding and Applying Research Paradigms in Educational Contexts
Authors: Kivunja Charles , Kuyini Ahmed Bawa
Published: September 2017

The concept of research paradigm is one that many higher degree research students, and even early career researchers, find elusive to articulate, and challenging to apply in their research proposals. Adopting an ethnographic and hermeneutic methodology, the present paper draws upon our experiences as lecturers in Research Methods over many years, and upon pertinent literature to explain the meaning of research paradigm. The paper elucidates the key aspects of research paradigms that researchers should understand well to be able to address this concept adequately in their research proposals. It offers suggestions on how researchers can locate their research into a paradigm and the justification needed for paradigm choice. With the explicit purpose of helping higher degree research (HDR) students design effective research proposals, the paper also discusses the different research methodologies best suited to conduct research in each of the paradigms discussed.
A Systematic Review: The Next Generation Science Standards and the Increased Cultural Diversity
Authors: Asowayan Alaa A. , Ashreef Sammar Y. , Omar Sozan H.
Published: September 2017

This systematic review aims to explore the effect of NGSS on students’ academic excellence. Specifically, considering increased cultural diversity, it is appropriate to identify student’s science-related values, respectful features of teachers’ cultural competence, and underlying challenges and detect in what ways these objectives are addressed by NGSS. Exploring the phenomena of effects, the qualitative evidence is collected. The sample consists of 52 academic entries (empirical researches and case studies) that shed light on the researched question. Summarized data is processed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that modern students possess such science-related values as social presence, decreased power distance with tutors, simplicity of learning process, multitasking, universal accessibility of learning instruments, readiness to work with big data, readiness to use online software and tools. Simultaneously, teachers are expected to have such cultural competencies as cultural sensitivity, online mentoring, gut feeling about the proper power distance, and social presence. The lack of these competencies results in the emergence of various challenges in an educational setting.
Human Trafficking: A Human Rights Oriented Approach
Authors: Farrokhzad Ardeshir
Published: September 2017

Men’s struggle for survival has never been so intense, and they have been able to save themselves from the physical pain inflicted by fatal war weapons. However, the invasion on men’s dignity in different forms including organ smuggling, experimental dummy, slavery, forced prostitution, etc. has followed an unprecedented rate in terms of inflicting misery and suffering millions of lives across the universe in the contemporary world. Most probably, “Right to Dignified Life” could be considered the most salient objective of Human Rights Principle. It is also a justified fact that the tragic misery of contemporary man has to do with obliteration of the same fundamental principle underpinning Human Rights. More importantly, it is not merely sufficient for a man to survive. Man requires self-dignity, voice and remedies for achieving happiness and welfare, otherwise he/she is nothing but a mere physical existence. The contemporary man that has undergone such huge amount of human tragedies and sufferings increasingly loses its control over its own body, work and movement, and many accede to the fact that the most obvious reason is human trafficking.
Why Academics Choose to Publish in a Mega-Journal
Authors: Shopovski Jovan , Marolov Dejan
Published: September 2017

With their broad scope, high publishing volume, a peer review process based on the scientific soundness of the content, and an open access model, mega journals have become an important part of scholarly publishing.The main aim of this paper is to determine the most important factor that influenced researchers’ decisions to submit their academic work to these type of journal. To this end, an online survey has been disseminated from November 2016 to August 2017, targeting the corresponding authors of the European Scientific Journal, ESJ. Data from 413 corresponding authors was collected.The focus was mainly on how they discover the journal and what led them to submit a paper to the journal. However, questions concerning their satisfaction with the peer review procedure were also part of the survey.The results have shown that a recommendation of a colleague is not only the main channel through which authors found out about the journal, but is also the major reason they decided to submit their paper to a mega-journal. Furthermore, the quality of the editorial board of the journal, the strong portfolio of papers and the open access concept are also significant factors in encouraging submission to a mega-journal. A majority of the respondents are satisfied with the communication and peer review procedure of the mega-journal, which might encourage new submissions in the future.
Exhaled Nitric Oxide Atopy, and Spirometry in Asthma and Rhinitis Patients in India
Authors: Kumar Raj , Gupta Nitesh
Published: September 2017

Introduction: Asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disorder. Nitric oxide (NO) is non-invasively measured in exhaled breath (FeNO). The aim of the study was to investigate the anthropometric and physiologic factors that influence FeNO measurements. Also, to evaluate FeNO correlation with spirometry and inflammatory markers in asthma and rhinitis. Material and methods: The study was a prospective analysis of asthma (BA) and rhinitis (AR) in patients enrolled from outpatient clinics between 2011 and 2015. Healthy controls (HC) were enrolled from the community. All subjects underwent baseline spirometry with reversibility, FeNO measurements, skin prick tests, and blood sampling for absolute eosinophil counts and serum total IgE levels. Results: Of 528 enrolled participants, 215 were BA, 248 were BA-AR and 65 were HC. The mean FeNO was higher in atopic versus nonatopic subjects (34.14 vs. 25.99; p < 0.001); asthmatics versus non-asthmatics (30.46 vs. 12.91; p < 0.001), and in participants with BA-AR, compared to those without BA-AR (32.56 vs. 30.46; p < 0.001). The odds ratio for FeNO in the study population showed a significant positive association with male gender, absolute eosinophil count (AEC), breathlessness, duration of symptoms, family history and atopy. In examining the diagnostic accuracy of FeNO for asthma, the AUC for FeNO value is 0.833 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.717–0.901), with cut-off levels to screen for asthma being 19.45 at 71.2% sensitivity and 81.8% specificity (p < 0.001). The Positive Predictive Value 96.84% (95% CI: 94.43–98.23) and Negative Predictive Value 30% (95% CI: 23.78–37.05) for asthma prediction with FeNO. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of estimation of anthropometric parameters and dyspnea assessment in the evaluation of FeNO levels. Also, the presence of atopy may influence the results in the interpretation of FeNO readings. Moreover, the study have demonstrated that spirometry and FeNO have no significant correlation, which further lays emphasis on them as being different physiological parameters of asthma.
Primary Pulmonary MALT Lymphoma Presenting as Non-Resolving Pneumonia
Authors: Iftikhar Asma , Magh Albert , Cheema Muhammed , Thappa Sarah , Sahni Sonu , Karbowitz Stephen
Published: September 2017

Primary lung lymphoma (PLL) is a rare unilateral or bilateral lung disorder that is challenging to diagnose solely based on clinical and radiological presentation. PLL may be misdiagnosed as pneumonia or a lung tumor due to non-specific findings. PLL is most frequently a mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, a type of extranodal low-grade B-cell lymphoma most commonly discovered in the gastrointestinal tract. PLL should be considered in the differential diagnosis of non-resolving pneumonias. Herein we present a case of an 84-year-old patient discovered to have a primary pulmonary MALT lymphoma presenting as a non-resolving pneumonia causing a clinical challenge.
Big and beautiful: the Megaxyela species (Hymenoptera, Xyelidae) of East Asia and North America
Authors: Blank Stephan M. , Kramp Katja , Smith David R. , Sundikov Yuri N. , Wei Meicai , Shinohara Akihiko
Published: September 2017

Megaxyela Ashmead, 1898 comprises 13 species, four of which are described as new and one is removed from synonymy: Megaxyela euchroma Blank, Shinohara & Wei sp. nov. from China (Zheijang), M. fulvago Blank, Shinohara & Wei sp. nov. from China (Hunan, Jiangsu, Zhejiang), M. inversa Blank & D.R. Smith sp. nov. from the USA (West Virginia), M. langstoni Ross, 1936 sp. rev. from the eastern USA, and M. pulchra Blank, Shinohara & Sundukov sp. nov. from China (Hubei, Jilin, Liaoning, Shaanxi, Tibet), South Korea (Kangwon-do) and Russia (Primorskiy Kray). The male of M. parki Shinohara, 1992 is described for the first time. A lectotype is designated for M. gigantea Mocsáry, 1909. A cladogram, based on COI sequences of seven species, is presented and interpreted in view of selected morphological characters. Records of M. fulvago sp. nov. from Hunan and of M. pulchra sp. nov. from Tibet extend the known distribution of Megaxyela in the Old World 600 kilometers farther south and 2500 kilometers farther west than previous records.
Ensino, pesquisa e extensão na formação docente: memórias vivenciadas no estágio supervisionado
Authors: Borges Vilmar José , Santos Sônia Maria dos
Published: September 2017

O presente artigo visa socializar reflexões sobre processos de formação/ação docente, tomando por referência a narrativa de professores atuantes na Educação Básica sobre metodologias de ensino desenvolvidas no cotidiano da sala de aula e consideradas positivas. Retrata pesquisa apoiada na história oral, desenvolvida por dois professores universitários, mediante a necessidade de superação da visão acrítica observada na maioria dos “futuros professores” relacionada ao Estágio Supervisionado. Os estagiários realizaram entrevistas orais com os professores atuantes em diferentes níveis e áreas do saber, acerca das metodologias de ensino; exposição de pôsteres divulgando as mesmas; e, ainda, realização de oficinas pedagógicas adaptando as diferentes metodologias à conteúdos da geografia escolar. A experiência metodológica se mostrou enriquecedora tanto para os professores, quanto para os alunos envolvidos.
Metacognição em Grupos de Problem-based Learning (PBL)
Authors: Vargas Adriana , Portilho Evelise Maria Labatut
Published: September 2017

Aprendizagem em grupo é um processo que envolve a mobilização de funções cognitivas e desenvolve competências necessárias no decorrer da vida. A Problem-based Learning (PBL), uma proposta de aprendizagem em grupo, enfatiza o desenvolvimento cognitivo e pode potencializar a metacognição. Objetivou-se responder as questões: 1) a PBL é uma metodologia que envolve o desenvolvimento da metacognição? 2) pode-se relacionar os estudos da metacognição no contexto grupal à PBL? Realizou-se o estado do conhecimento do tema, entre 2010 a 2015, contendo os termos metacognition e Problem-based Learning, no portal de periódicos da CAPES. Oito pesquisas foram selecionadas por descreverem evidências empíricas da metacognição em grupos de PBL. A PBL pode ser aplicada aos estudos de aprendizagem em grupo e metacognição, por mobilizar conhecimentos, a tomada de consciência e o autocontrole.
Formação inicial de professores no embalo das ações didáticas: possiblidades para a autonomia docente
Authors: Macêdo Marly , Romanowski Joana Paulin , Martins Pura Lúcia Oliver
Published: September 2017

Este artigo tem por objetivo analisar a Didática na formação inicial do professor no curso de Pedagogia  em sua relação com a prática docente. Problematiza a Didática enquanto disciplina voltada à formação de professores articulada à prática docente. A metodologia é de abordagem qualitativa e a análise toma por base registros dos estudantes coletados na autoavaliação, da disciplina Didática do curso de Pedagogia  de uma IES da cidade de Curitiba. Os aportes do estudos incluem Martins, Veiga, Romanowski e Santos, e outros, que discutem  a compreensão dessa disciplina  e sua interlocução com a prática para a formação de professores. Os resultados mostram que a Didática possibilita aos estudantes a compreensão das situações de aprendizagens tendo como ponto de partida a prática social problematizada a partir das vivências e experiências dos docentes e discentes da escola básica.
Paisagens de Aprendizagem: acampamentos norte-americanos de verão e suas possibilidades educacionais
Authors: Ozier Lance W.
Published: September 2017

Por mais de 100 anos pesquisadores do campo da educação têm se preocupado com “hiatos de aprendizagem no verão” de estudantes que demonstram descréscimo de aprendizagem durantes os meses de verão fora da escolar. Ao mesmo tempo, acampamentos norte-americanos de verão tem fornecido paisagens para aprendizagem de inúmeras gerações de estudantes em idade escolar com o intuito de aprimorar habilidades e construir competências. A despeito da atual disponibilidade das experiências de acampamento para atenuar esse “hiato de aprendizagem de verão”, as reformas educacionais contemporâneas não têm ainda reconhecido a aparente conexão natural entre acampamentos e escolas. Esse artigo examina, assim, tanto os laços históricos e teóricos significativos que subjazem as configurações do movimento de campistas e da escolar formal, quanto as possibilidades contemporâneas dos acampamentos para a aprendizagem do século 21, cujas competências envolvem o estabelecimento de vínculos sociais e colaborativos, redefinição de papeis, de confiança, independência e aprimoramento academic. As conclusões indicam a signficativa importância das experiências de aprendizagem nos acampamentos para as crianças, como também a necessidade de formulação de políticas educacionais que criem oportunidades de aprendizagem extra-curriculares – tais como oferecidas pelos acampamentos de verão.
La problemática constitucional derivada de las técnicas de reproducción humana asistida (TRHA): el caso de la maternidad subrogada
Authors: Ruiz Rico Gerardo
Published: September 2017

Resumen:Actualmente el uso de las Técnicas de Reproducción Humana Asistida (TRHA) genera algunos interrogantes y cuestiones no resueltos de manera expresa ni suficiente por una regulación constitucional deficitaria en estas materias. El presente estudio se centra en una dimensión, la denominada «maternidad por subrogación», que ha cobrado una importancia y actualidad notables, debido a una jurisprudencia del TEDH, contradictoria con la solución jurisdiccional que se ha dado a este tema en España. Por otro lado, hasta el momento no se ha producido la reforma legal, imprescindible para incorporar al ordenamiento nacional la interpretación correcta de los derechos fundamentales afectados por esa interpretación que se impone desde una esfera convencional.Abstract:Nowadays the use of Assisted Reproduction Techniques has resulted in some unresolved problems and issues not expressly addressed by a lacking constitutional regulation in these matters. This essay focuses on one dimension, the so-called surrogate motherhood which has gained considerable importance and has now become particularly topical due to ECtHR case law, inconsistent with the judicial solution that has been given to this issue in Spain. On the other hand, such a legislative reform, essential to incorporate into national lawthe correct interpretation of the fundamental rights affected by that interpretation imposed from the conventional sphere, has not beencarried out to date.
Effect of alimentary synthetic estrogen on cell compensatory mechanisms in rats of different ages
Authors: Yermishev Oleh , Lykholat Tatyana , Lykholat Olena
Published: September 2017

Results of a study of lipid peroxidation, antioxidant system components, and cholinergic neurotransmitter system in the organs of experimental rats of different ages exposed to alimentary synthetic estrogen are presented. Given the state of peroxidation processes and AChE activities in female rats exposed to xenoestrogen, it is possible to assume the possibility of the restructuring of the functioning of mediator and enzyme systems and additional strengthening of pathological symptoms. In the future, such phenomena may trigger the reduction of potential of compensatory mechanisms in compromising the health of the consumers. In puberty, females were more sensitive to nutritional synthetic estrogen than mature animals, thus proving that age is another factor in xenoestrogen exposure. Because of the changes in the rates of reactions to detoxification but not to the metabolism of estrogen received into the organism, particularly with food, with age the animals were less susceptible to the effects of these substances.
Les échos de Marc Lescarbot dans l’oeuvre de Gabriel Sagard
Authors: Hebbinckuys Nicolas
Published: September 2017

Parmi les voyageurs qui décrivent l’histoire de l’Amérique française, deux chroniqueurs se démarquent : Gabriel Sagard et Marc Lescarbot. Sur leur voyage canadien au début du XVIIe siècle, ils publient plusieurs ouvrages dont les plus importants sont l’Histoire de la Nouvelle-France (1609) et l’Histoire du Canada (1636). Cet article analyse les emprunts textuels de Sagard à l’oeuvre de Lescarbot. Il étudie les parallélismes discursifs, questionne l’art du collage et interroge le sens de l’intertextualité, une pratique récurrente dans le genre viatique.
A case study for a psychographic-behavioral segmentation approach for targeted demand generation in voluntary medical male circumcision
Authors: Sgaier Sema K , Eletskaya Maria , Engl Elisabeth , Mugurungi Owen , Tambatamba Bushimbwa , Ncube Gertrude , Xaba Sinokuthemba , Nanga Alice , Gogolina Svetlana , Odawo Patrick , Gumede-Moyo Sehlulekile , Kretschmer Steve
Published: September 2017

Public health programs are starting to recognize the need to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach in demand generation, and instead tailor interventions to the heterogeneity underlying human decision making. Currently, however, there is a lack of methods to enable such targeting. We describe a novel hybrid behavioral-psychographic segmentation approach to segment stakeholders on potential barriers to a target behavior. We then apply the method in a case study of demand generation for voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) among 15–29 year-old males in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Canonical correlations and hierarchical clustering techniques were applied on representative samples of men in each country who were differentiated by their underlying reasons for their propensity to get circumcised. We characterized six distinct segments of men in Zimbabwe, and seven segments in Zambia, according to their needs, perceptions, attitudes and behaviors towards VMMC, thus highlighting distinct reasons for a failure to engage in the desired behavior.
Stress responsive miR-31 is a major modulator of mouse intestinal stem cells during regeneration and tumorigenesis
Authors: Tian Yuhua , Ma Xianghui , Lv Cong , Sheng Xiaole , Li Xiang , Zhao Ran , Song Yongli , Andl Thomas , Plikus Maksim V , Sun Jinyue , Ren Fazheng , Shuai Jianwei , Lengner Christopher J , Cui Wei , Yu Zhengquan
Published: September 2017

Intestinal regeneration and tumorigenesis are believed to be driven by intestinal stem cells (ISCs). Elucidating mechanisms underlying ISC activation during regeneration and tumorigenesis can help uncover the underlying principles of intestinal homeostasis and disease including colorectal cancer. Here we show that miR-31 drives ISC proliferation, and protects ISCs against apoptosis, both during homeostasis and regeneration in response to ionizing radiation injury. Furthermore, miR-31 has oncogenic properties, promoting intestinal tumorigenesis. Mechanistically, miR-31 acts to balance input from Wnt, BMP, TGFβ signals to coordinate control of intestinal homeostasis, regeneration and tumorigenesis. We further find that miR-31 is regulated by the STAT3 signaling pathway in response to radiation injury. These findings identify miR-31 as a critical modulator of ISC biology, and a potential therapeutic target for a broad range of intestinal regenerative disorders and cancers.
INDOOR THERMAL COMFORT ASSESSMENT OF NATURALLY VENTILATED ATRIUMS IN SINGAPORE
Authors: Hien Wong Nyuk , Gabriela Osrithalita , Tan Erna , Jusuf Steve Kardinal
Published: September 2017

This research looks into the aspect of Thermal Comfort (TC) in naturally ventilated (NV) buildings, in this case NV atriums. Compared to fully air-conditioned buildings, NV buildings tend to have better indoor air quality (IAQ), but worse TC.  Therefore, this research investigates the range of acceptable temperature and wind speed in order to achieve thermal comfort for naturally ventilated atriums. Data was collected through field survey in three different buildings of NV atriums and were used to develop and validate the TC model. The data collected from field survey represent visitors’ TC perception in atrium environment, and in-situ environmental measurement also records the characteristics of NV atrium in each area, such as solar radiation, air temperature, relative humidity, and intermittent wind. At the same time with the indoor field survey, a weather station was installed on the roof of the building to measure the micro-meteorological condition. Thermal comfort prediction model was developed from the statistical analysis of the field survey data. The acceptable range to achieve thermal comfort for NV atrium was analyzed. The air temperature of 31°C was determined as the boundary condition. Based on the result of Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) formula, PMV 1 is the highest acceptable value with wind speed required is 0.51 m/s and PMV 0.8 is recommended to achieve the best thermal comfort with wind speed required is 0.78 m/s.