bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Re-Cast(e)ing Conversion, Re-visiting Dialogue: Indian Attempts at an Interfaith Theology of Wholeness
Authors: Rajkumar Peniel Jesudason Rufus
Published: January 2014

In India the Christian commitment to interfaith engagement produces a paradox. On the one hand dialogue between Christianity and other religions, especially Hinduism in this context, is seen as an advance in redressing an earlier unjust position of assumed religious exclusivity, triumphalism and superiority on the part of an evangelical missionary Christianity. Dialogue presumes mutuality of recognition, respect and religious value, including freedom from coercion and freedom of personal choice. However, on the other hand, in the Indian context, the caste system presents intractable problems which, in being identified with Hinduism and thus, in the context of dialogue, to be recognised and respected as a religious value on the part of the Christian dialogue partner, then results in the Christian colluding with a manifest injustice with respect to Dalit and Adivasi (tribal) peoples for whom the caste system is oppressive and restrictive. Can Christian values of justice, liberation and ‘fullness of life’ be upheld in the context of interfaith dialogue in India, especially in relation to the religious conversion of the Dalits and Adivasis, who choose conversion as a means of escape from the caste system? This article seeks to address this and related questions.
Editor's Column: Provincializing English
Authors: Gikandi Simon
Published: January 2014

What are we to do with english? Of all the major languages of the world, it causes the most anxiety. Its words seem to want to invade the citadels of other languages, forcing institutions such as the Académie Française to call for barricades against it; in the enclaves of Englishness, a Celtic fringe struggles to hold on to the remnants of the mother tongue; and in most parts of the world those without the ostensibly anointed language often see themselves as permanently locked out of the spring-wells of modernity. Sometimes the global linguistic map appears to be a simple division between those with English and those without it. In the reaches of the former British Empire, a swath of the globe stretching from Vancouver east to the Malay Peninsula, English has come to be seen as an advantage in the competitive world of global politics and trade; in the emerging powers of East Asia, most notably China and South Korea, the consumption of global English is evident in the huge sale of books on English as a second language; in parts of the world traditionally cut off from English, including eastern Europe, the mastery of the language marks the moment of arrival. Most linguistic research on English is carried out in institutions in the Germanic and Nordic zones of northern Europe. In popular books on language and in serious linguistic studies, a powerful myth of English as the global language has taken hold. We are presented not with a world at the end of history but with one in which English sits at the center of a new global community: “English-speaking people and their culture are more widespread in numbers and influence than any civilization the world has ever seen,” claims Robert McCrum (257).
Creating and maintaining high‐performing collaborative research teams: the importance of diversity and interpersonal skills
Authors: Cheruvelil Kendra S , Soranno Patricia A , Weathers Kathleen C , Hanson Paul C , Goring Simon J , Filstrup Christopher T , Read Emily K
Published: January 2014

Collaborative research teams are a necessary and desirable component of most scientific endeavors. Effective collaborative teams exhibit important research outcomes, far beyond what could be accomplished by individuals working independently. These teams are made up of researchers who are committed to a common purpose, approach, and performance goals for which they hold themselves mutually accountable. We call such collaborations “high‐performing collaborative research teams”. Here, we share lessons learned from our collective experience working with a wide range of collaborative teams and structure those lessons within a framework developed from literature in business, education, and a relatively new discipline, “science of team science”. We propose that high‐performing collaborative research teams are created and maintained when team diversity (broadly defined) is effectively fostered and interpersonal skills are taught and practiced. Finally, we provide some strategies to foster team functioning and make recommendations for improving the collaborative culture in ecology.
The Multiple Chemokine-Binding Bovine Herpesvirus 1 Glycoprotein G (BHV1gG) Inhibits Polymorphonuclear Cell but Not Monocyte Migration into Inflammatory Sites
Authors: Liu Zheng , Bethunaickan Ramalingam , Sahu Ranjit , Brenner Max , Laragione Teresina , Gulko Percio S. , Davidson Anne
Published: January 2014

Chemokines facilitate the recruitment of inflammatory cells into tissues, contributing to target organ injury in a wide range of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Targeting either single chemokines or chemokine receptors alters the progression of disease in animal models of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus with varying degrees of efficacy, but clinical trials in humans have been less successful. Given the redundancy of chemokine-chemokine receptor interactions, targeting of more than one chemokine may be required to inhibit active inflammatory disease. To test the effects of multiple chemokine blockade in inflammation, we generated an adenovirus expressing bovine herpesvirus 1 glycoprotein G (BHV1gG), a viral chemokine antagonist that binds to a wide spectrum of murine and human chemokines, fused to the fragment crystallizable (Fc) portion of murine immunoglobulin (IgG)2a. Administration of the adenovirus significantly inhibited thioglycollate-induced migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes into the peritoneal cavity of BALB/c mice and reduced both clinical severity and articular damage in K/BxN serum transfer-induced arthritis. However, treatment with BHV1gG-Ig fusion protein did not prevent monocyte infiltration into the peritoneum in the thioglycollate model and did not prevent renal monocyte infiltration or nephritis in lupus-prone NZB/W mice. These observations suggest that the simultaneous inhibition of multiple chemokines by BHV1gG has the potential to interfere with acute inflammatory responses mediated by polymorphonuclear leukocytes, but is less effective in chronic inflammatory disease mediated by macrophages.
Activation of AMPK Enhances Neutrophil Chemotaxis and Bacterial Killing
Authors: Park Dae Won , Jiang Shaoning , Tadie Jean-Marc , Stigler William S. , Gao Yong , Deshane Jessy , Abraham Edward , Zmijewski Jaroslaw W.
Published: January 2014

An inability of neutrophils to eliminate invading microorganisms is frequently associated with severe infection and may contribute to the high mortality rates associated with sepsis. In the present studies, we examined whether metformin and other 5′ adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activators affect neutrophil motility, phagocytosis and bacterial killing. We found that activation of AMPK enhanced neutrophil chemotaxis in vitro and in vivo, and also counteracted the inhibition of chemotaxis induced by exposure of neutrophils to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In contrast, small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of AMPKα1 or blockade of AMPK activation through treatment of neutrophils with the AMPK inhibitor compound C diminished neutrophil chemotaxis. In addition to their effects on chemotaxis, treatment of neutrophils with metformin or aminoimidazole carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR) improved phagocytosis and bacterial killing, including more efficient eradication of bacteria in a mouse model of peritonitis-induced sepsis. Immunocytochemistry showed that, in contrast to LPS, metformin or AICAR induced robust actin polymerization and distinct formation of neutrophil leading edges. Although LPS diminished AMPK phosphorylation, metformin or AICAR was able to partially decrease the effects of LPS/toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) engagement on downstream signaling events, particularly LPS-induced IκBα degradation. The IκB kinase (IKK) inhibitor PS-1145 diminished IκBα degradation and also prevented LPS-induced inhibition of chemotaxis. These results suggest that AMPK activation with clinically approved agents, such as metformin, may facilitate bacterial eradication in sepsis and other inflammatory conditions associated with inhibition of neutrophil activation and chemotaxis. Online address: https://doi.org/www.molmed.org
Antiangiogenic and Antitumoral Effects Mediated by a Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 1 (VEGFR-1)-Targeted DNAzyme
Authors: Shen Liangfang , Zhou Qin , Wang Ying , Liao Weihua , Chen Yan , Xu Zhijie , Yang Lifang , Sun Lun-Quan
Published: January 2014

Antiangiogenesis is a promising antitumor strategy that inhibits tumor vascular formation to suppress tumor growth. DNAzymes are synthetic single-strand deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules that can cleave ribonucleic acids (RNAs). Here, we conducted a comprehensivein vitroselection of active DNAzymes for their activity to cleave the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR-1) mRNA and screened for their biological activity in a matrigel tube-formation assay. Among the selected DNAzymes, DT18 was defined as a lead molecule that was further investigated in several model systems. In a rat corneal vascularization model, DT18 demonstrated significant and specific antiangiogenic activity, as evidenced by the reduced area and vessel number in VEGF-induced corneal angiogenesis. In a mouse melanoma model, DT18 was shown to inhibit B16 tumor growth, whereas it did not affect B16 cell proliferation. We further assessed the DT18 effect in mice with established human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). A significant inhibition of tumor growth was observed, which accompanied downregulation of VEGFR-1 expression in NPC tumor tissues. To evaluate DT18 effect on vasculature, we performed dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) on the human NPC xenograft mice treated with DT18 and showed a reduction of the parameter ofKtrans(volume constant for transfer of contrast agent), which reflects the condition of tumor microvascular permeability. When examining the safety and tolerability of DT18, intravenous administration of Dz18 to healthy mice caused no substantial toxicities, as shown by parameters such as body weight, liver/kidney function, and histological and biochemical analyses. Taken together, our data suggest that the anti-VEGFR-1DNAzyme may be used as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of cancer, such as NPC.
CB2 Receptor Deficiency Increases Amyloid Pathology and Alters Tau Processing in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Koppel Jeremy , Vingtdeux Valerie , Marambaud Philippe , d’Abramo Cristina , Jimenez Heidy , Stauber Mark , Friedman Rachel , Davies Peter
Published: January 2014

The endocannabinoid CB2 receptor system has been implicated in the neuropathology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In order to investigate the impact of the CB2 receptor system on AD pathology, a colony of mice with a deleted CB2 receptor gene, CNR2, was established on a transgenic human mutant APP background for pathological comparison with CB2 receptor-sufficient transgenic mice. J20 APP (PDGFB-APPSwInd) mice were bred over two generations with CNR2−/− (Cnr2tm1Dgen/J) mice to produce a colony of J20 CNR2+/+ and J20 CNR2−/− mice. Seventeen J20 CNR2+/+ mice (12 females, 5 males) and 16 J20 CNR2−/− mice (11 females, 5 males) were killed at 12 months, and their brains were interrogated for AD-related pathology with both biochemistry and immunocytochemistry (ICC). In addition to amyloid-dependent endpoints such as soluble Aβ production and plaque deposition quantified with 6E10 staining, the effect of CB2 receptor deletion on total soluble mouse tau production was assayed by using a recently developed high-sensitivity assay. Results revealed that soluble Aβ42 and plaque deposition were significantly increased in J20 CNR2−/− mice relative to CNR2+/+ mice. Microgliosis, quantified with ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1) staining, did not differ between groups, whereas plaque associated microglia was more abundant in J20 CNR2−/− mice. Total tau was significantly suppressed in J20 CNR2−/− mice relative to J20 CNR2+/+ mice. The results confirm the constitutive role of the CB2 receptor system both in reducing amyloid plaque pathology in AD and also support tehpotential of cannabinoid therapies targeting CB2 to reduce Aβ; however, the results suggest that interventions may have a divergent effect on tau pathology.
Soil Surface Wetting Effects on Gradient‐Based Estimates of Soil Carbon Dioxide Efflux
Authors: Fan Jun , Jones Scott B.
Published: January 2014

The gradient method is widely used in conjunction with Fick's Law to estimate emissions of soil CO2. This requires accurate estimation of the soil gas diffusion coefficient (DP) and the CO2 concentration gradient, typically from measured water content and CO2 concentration. Shallow application of water via precipitation or irrigation causes a temporary reduction in the near‐surface soil gas diffusion coefficient, which compromises gradient‐based flux estimates when undetected by a water content sensor. Our objectives were to analyze the effects of soil surface wetting and temperature on CO2 concentration and efflux using laboratory and field measurements and to compare four widely used models for estimating DP. A laboratory test was conducted to determine the effects of water application on the soil CO2 concentration and the CO2 efflux calculated with the gradient method. The DP parameter was very sensitive to the soil water content and was most reliably calculated using a power function model in a Millville silt loam field soil, while both power function and SAPHIR models were similarly reliable in a Kidman fine sandy loam laboratory test. A single CO2 sensor at a depth of 5 cm with water content monitored at 2.5 cm provided reasonable estimates of the soil CO2 efflux validated with an automated chamber. We found that under most conditions, the CO2 concentration gradient in the soil profile is a reasonable estimator of CO2 flux when measurements of the soil water content and known porosity values are used to estimate the gas diffusion coefficient. However, shallow wetting events require improved monitoring of spatial and temporal changes near the surface or appropriate modeling of hydrodynamics there.
Vortex solitons at the interface between two photonic lattices
Authors: Jovic Dragana , Piper Aleksandra , Timotijevic Dejan
Published: January 2014

Using numerical analysis we demonstrate the existence of vortex solitons at
the interface separating two different photonic lattices. We consider the
conditions for the existence of discrete vortex states at such interface and
also study their stability. A novel type of interface vortex solitons with
five lobes is observed. Also different topological charges and phase
structures of such solutions are studied, as well as influence of different
lattice intensities. Other observed solutions are in the form of discrete
solitons with six lobes. For lower beam powers such solutions are stable
during propagation, but for higher beam powers they oscillate during
propagation in a way indicating the exchange of power between neighboring
lobes, or show dynamical instabilities.
Multivariate statistical treatment of plant extract compositional data: Average mass scan of the total ion chromatogram (AMS) approach
Authors: Blagojevic Polina , Radulovic Niko
Published: January 2014

It was recently confirmed that relative abundances of m/z values of the
average mass scan of the total GC chromatograms (AMS) are suitable variables
for multivariate statistical comparison (MVA) of essential oils. These are
even more applicable, reliable and faster than the traditionally used
variables-percentages (peak areas) of individual oil constituents. Herein, we
have explored if AMS-derived variables are appropriate for MVA comparison of
plant solvent extract compositional data. To achieve this, average mass scans
of the total GC chromatograms and chemical compositions (relative
percentages) of eight diethyl ether extracts (six different species; samples
were analyzed using GC-FID and GC-MS; data from the literature) were
separately compared using two MVA methods: agglomerative hierarchical
clustering analysis and principal component analysis. The obtained results
strongly suggest that MVA of complex volatile mixtures (GC-MS analyzable
fractions of plant solvent extracts), using the corresponding AMS, could be
considered as a promising time saving tool for easy and reliable comparison
purposes. The AMS approach gives comparable or even better results than the
traditional method.
Mapping probabilities of precipitation occurrence on the territory of the Republic of Serbia by the method of indicator kriging
Authors: Pandzic Jelena , Bajat Branislav , Lukovic Jelena
Published: January 2014

This paper presents the application of indicator kriging as a geostatistical
method for the purpose of creating maps of precipitation occurrence
probabilities on the territory of the Republic of Serbia for distinctive
months during 2009. The difference between this approach to mapping and
standard isohyetal maps, which describe precipitation intensity, lies in the
fact that this approach points to the potential of the occurrence of a
certain amount of precipitation at a specific location for a given time
period.
Life history traits and population growth of greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum westwood) on different tomato genotypes
Authors: Prijovic Mirjana , Marcic Dejan , Drobnjakovic Tanja , Medjo Irena , Peric Pantelija
Published: January 2014

The effects of five tomato genotypes (cv. Narvik and hybrids NS-6, Tamaris,
Alliance and Marko) on the survival, reproduction, development and population
growth of the greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum were examined. A
laboratory population of T. vaporariorum had been reared on tobacco plants
for three years before the study. Females that laid eggs on the genotype
Marko lived significantly longer and their offspring needed significantly
shorter periods to develop than females on the genotype Narvik. The highest
gross and net fecundity rates were found in females on the genotype Marko
(36.74 eggs/ female and 27.93 eggs/female, respectively) and they differed
significantly from the corresponding rates of females living on the genotype
NS-6 (18.55 eggs/female and 15.33 eggs/ female), who had the lowest fecundity
rates. The highest gross and net fertility rates were also found in females
on the genotype Marko (31.24 adults/female and 23.73 adults/female), and they
were significantly higher than those of females living on NS-6 (14.85
adults/female and 12.53 adults/female). Besides, net fertility rate of the
females living on the genotype Narvik (13.80 adults/female) was also
significantly lower than the rate of females on Marko. The instantaneous
rates of increase showed no significant difference over a 10-day interval
following the start of oviposition, while the increase rate was significantly
higher on the genotype Marko after 12, 14 and 16 days, compared to the
genotype NS-6. Eighteen, 20 and 22 days after the beginning of oviposition,
the instantaneous rate of increase on the genotype Marko was significantly
higher than it was on NS-6 and Narvik. Our data provide a basis for further
research aiming to improve programs of integrated management of greenhouse
whitefly.
Damage caused by white snail Cernuella virgata (Da Costa) to green onion crop
Authors: Stojnic Bojan , Jokic Goran , Djedovic Suzana , Vuksa Marina
Published: January 2014

Damage caused by the white snail Cernuella virgata (Da Costa, 1778) was for
the first time observed in vegetable crops in Serbia during the summers of
2011 and 2012. In this country, serious damage to vegetable crops is usually
caused by slugs, while snails do not normally cause any significant harm.
Typical xerophilic snail species in the genera Cernuella, Xerolenta and Theba
cause damage even more rarely since they are limited to wild flora in
uncultivated and ruderal areas, and local outbreaks occur seldom and only in
forage leguminous crops. The species C. virgata was for the first time found
to cause damage to a number of vegetable crops during long periods of
extremely warm and dry weather, including total devastation of a green onion
crop.
Efficacy of different insecticides in controlling pollen beetle (Meligetes aeneus F.) in rapeseed crop
Authors: Milovanovic Predrag , Kljajic Petar , Andric Goran , Prazic-Golic Marijana , Popovic Tatjana
Published: January 2014

Since pollen beetle, M. aeneus, is usually controlled by insecticides, the
efficacy of several compounds with different modes of action against adult
beetles was studied in a threeyear field study. The selected insecticides
were: three pyrethroids (lambda-cyhalothrin, alpha-cypermethrin and
bifenthrin), an oganophosphate (pirimiphos-methyl), a combination of an
organophosphate and a pyrethroid (chlorpyrifos + cypermethrin) and a
neonicotinoid (thiacloprid). The insecticides were applied at label rates to
winter rapeseed crops at the moment of visible but still closed flower buds
(BBCH 55-57). In all experiments, the efficacy of pyrethroids and the
organophosphate ranged from 90-100%, while the efficacy of the neonicotinoid
was 85-95%. Therefore, they can be recommended for control of pollen beetle
in Serbia.
Phytotoxicity of chlorpyrifos to white mustard (Sinapis alba L.) and maize (Zea mays L.): Potential indicators of insecticide presence in water
Authors: Gvozdenac Sonja , Indjic Dusanka , Vukovic Slavica
Published: January 2014

Chlorpyrifos is a hazardous insecticide and important pollutant of the
environment. The EU Directive 2008/105/EC lists it as one of the priority
water pollutants. Its presence is mainly detected by chemical methods but,
since biological tests have gained in importance in the last few years, this
study aimed to assess the potentials of white mustard (Sinapis alba L.) and
maize (Zea mays L.) as indicators of water pollution. The phytotoxic effects
of chlorpyrifos (rates 0.05-10?g a.i./l) were assessed based on physiological
(germination energy and germination) and morphological traits (root and shoot
length, fresh and dry weights) of the tested species. A slightly modified
filter paper method was used and the results were processed by Duncan`s
multiple range test and Probit analysis (EC50). According to the Directive,
the maximal allowable concentration (MAC) of chlorpyrifos in water is 0.1?g
a.i./l. When applied at the MAC value, chlorpyrifos inhibited germination
energy and germination (11.25%) of white mustard, as compared to the control
(91.5; 93.5%), and its hypocotyls and epicotyls failed to form. At the rates
50% below the MAC, germination energy and germination (87.75; 88.25%) were
significanty inhibited, as well as root and shoot growth of seedlings.
Chlorpyrofos did not affect the germination energy and germination of maize,
while all morphological traits were significantly reduced by chlorpyrifos at
the MAC rate. The EC50 of chlorpyrifos was 0.09?g a.i./l for germination of
white mustard and 3.21?g a.i./l for maize. Projekat Ministarstva nauke
Republike Srbije, br. III 43005:: Improvement of remediation technologies and
development of methods for risk assessment of contaminated sites
Control of green apple aphid (Aphis pomi De Geer) in organic apple production
Authors: Milenkovic Slobodan , Marcic Dejan , Ruzicic Lazar
Published: January 2014

The efficacy of different methods for controlling populations of green apple
aphid (Aphis pomi De Geer) in organic apple orchard was compared over three
consecutive years. The following three control methods were tested: a)
predator activity (Coccinela septempunctata), b) predator activity (C.
septempunctata) + selective spraying of trees with infestation level
exceeding 10% with a botanical insecticide (NeemAzal T/S), and c) predator
activity (C. septempunctata) + total spraying of all orchard trees with the
botanical insecticide (NeemAzal T/S). In terms of maintaining a biological
balance within an orchard, the combination of natural regulation by C.
septempunctata and selective spraying of individual trees with NeemAzal T/S
proved to be the most efficient method.
Impact of the level of metabolic control on the non-surgical periodontal therapy outcomes in diabetes mellitus type 2 patients: Clinical effects
Authors: Mirnic Jelena , Djuric Milanko , Predin Tanja , Gusic Ivana , Petrovic Djordje , Andjelkovic Aleksandra , Bajkin Branislav
Published: January 2014

Introduction. Diabetes mellitus as a complex metabolic disease influences
functioning of numerous organs. Chronic periodontitis is one of frequent
diabetic complications. Objective. The aim of this study was to compare the
clinical effects of non?surgical periodontal therapy between diabetes
mellitus type 2 patients (DM type 2) and non?diabetic individuals (control
group). Methods. Our study included 41 DM type 2 subjects and 21 non?diabetic
individuals, all of them with chronic periodontitis. The diabetic group was
divided into two subgroups based on the level of glycosylated hemoglobin
(HbA1c) as follows: D1 - 18 subjects with good metabolic control (HbA1c<7%),
and D2 - 23 subjects with poor metabolic (HbA1c?7%). State of oral hygiene
and periodontal clinical parameters of subjects, such as: plaque index (PI),
gingival index (GI), papilla bleeding index (PBI), probing pocket depth (PPD)
and clinical attachment level (CAL), were evaluated at the baseline and 3
months after scaling and root?planning. Results. ANOVA test showed that there
was no statistically significant difference of treatment success between
studied groups in relation to GI (p=0.52), PBI (p=0.36) and CAL (p=0.11).
Reduction of PI and PPD in the control group (?PI=0.84; ?PPD=0.35 mm) was
significantly higher (p<0.05) than the reduction of PI and PPD in patients
with the diabetes (group D1 ?PI=0.60, ?PPD=0.11 mm; group D2 ?PI=0.53,
?PPD=0.11 mm). Conclusion. Although there were differences in treatment
success between DM subjects and non?diabetic individuals, they were not
significant for the most measured parameters. The results of this study did
not absolutely support the assumption that the level of glycemic control
significantly affected the periodontal therapy outcome in diabetics.
Traumatic dental injuries in Serbian children: Epidemiological study
Authors: Vukovic Ana , Markovic Dejan , Petrovic Bojan , Apostolovic Mirjana , Golijanin Ranko , Kanjevac Tatjana , Stojkovic Branislava , Peric Tamara , Blagojevic Duska
Published: January 2014

Introduction. Comprehensive epidemiological data regarding factors associated
with traumatic dental injuries are scarce. Objective. The aim of the present
study was to assess the frequency and analyze the factors associated with
traumatic dental injuries in Serbian children. Methods. Research included
children and adolescents with traumatic dental injury aged 0-19 year during
the period from 2003 to 2010, in four University Dental Centres in Serbia:
Belgrade, Nis, Novi Sad and Kragujevac. Patient history, demographic,
clinical and radiographic data were obtained from dental trauma forms.
Results. Total of 2,194 patients (748 girls, 1,446 boys) (?2=222.1; p<0.01)
with 3,077 injured teeth in permanent and 953 in primary dentition were
observed. Most of patients were aged 7 to 12 years (n=1,191). The most
frequent injuries in primary and permanent dentition were dislocations
(87.4%) and teeth fractures (50.8%), respectively (?2=706.1; p<0.01). The
most frequent mechanism of injury was fall in children aged 0 to 12 years,
while the collisions were most frequent in adolescents (53.9%). The most
frequent injuries in adolescents were inflicted outdoor (66.8%), while the
injuries in children aged 0 to 3 years occurred at home (68.2%), (?2=360.8;
p<0.01). The most frequent injuries in girls were accidental (48.3%), and in
boys these were sport injuries (20.4%) and violence (10.4%) (?2=79.9;
p<0.01). The most frequent cause of injury in children aged 0 to 3 years was
accidental (75.6%), while in adolescents it was sport (34.1%) (?2=1102.7;
p<0.01). Conclusion. Dental injuries in preschool children most frequently
resulted from fall at home. Schoolchildren most frequently injured teeth
outdoor during play. Violence and sport injuries were most frequent cause of
injury in adolescents.
Stress and mental health among medical students
Authors: Backovic Dusan , Maksimovic Milos , Davidovic Dragana , Ilic-Zivojinovic Jelena , Stevanovic Dejan
Published: January 2014

Introduction. Medical studies bring many stressful activities to students.
Prolonged stress can make adverse effects to mental health and lead to
further professional burnout. Objective. The aim of this study was to assess
the association of stress impact and adverse effects of medical studies with
psychological distress among medical students. Methods. The cross sectional
study was conducted on 367 fourth?year medical students of the Faculty of
Medicine in Belgrade, by means of the anonymous questionnaire, containing:
socio?demographic data, self?reported health status and stressful influences
of studying activities. Mental health status was estimated by General Health
Questionnaire (GHQ?12). Results. More than 50% of students perceive frequent
feeling of psychic tension, and one third has problems with insomnia. Nearly
one?half of students assessed their general stress level as moderate or high.
Exams were estimated as high stressor in 63.1% of all students. Stressful
effects of communication with teaching staff were reported by one quarter of
the examinees. The scores of GHQ?12 were above the threshold in 55.6 % of all
students. Mental health problems among students were most significantly
associated with stressful experience during exams and contacts with teaching
staff. Conclusion. Academic stress makes great influence on mental health of
medical students. Reduction of stress effects should be directed to
optimization of the examination process and improvement of communication
skills.
Family planning among women in urban and rural areas in Serbia
Authors: Antic Ljiljana , Djikanovic Bosiljka , Vukovic Dejana
Published: January 2014

Introduction. Family planning is an important aspect of population policy at
the state level, because the demographic trends in Serbia are very
unfavorable. Objective. The objective of this study was to examine the
differences in family planning between the women in rural and urban areas of
Serbia. Methods. This study represents the secondary analysis of the National
Health Survey of the population in Serbia from 2006, which was conducted as a
cross sectional study, on a representative sample of the population. Results.
The respondents who used condoms as a method of contraception, were often
younger, better educated, had better financial status, lived in Vojvodina,
and had no children. Conclusion. Our study showed that there were differences
in terms of family planning between the women of urban and rural areas,
however, these differences could be explained by differences in age and
education.
The efficacy of 5% maleic acid, 6% phosphoric acid and 17% EDTA in smear layer removal - a scanning electron microscopic investigation
Authors: Khalighinejad Navid , Hasheminia Mohsen , Feizinafar Mahbobeh
Published: January 2014

Introduction. Smear layer is amorphous irregular layer that contains
inorganic dentin debris and organic material such as pulp tissue,
odontoblastic processes, necrotic debris and microorganisms. It is present on
root canal walls touched by instruments during instrumentation. The aim of
this study was to compare the efficacy of 6% Phosphoric acid, 17% EDTA and 5%
Maleic acid in smear layer removal using scanning electron microscope
analysis. Material and Methods. The study included eighty extracted teeth.
All teeth were randomly assigned into the three experimental groups (17%
EDTA, 5% Maleic acid, 6% Phosphoric acid) and one control group (sodium
hypochlorite). Smear layer removal in all groups in apical, middle, and
coronal thirds was observed using scanning electron microscope analysis. Data
were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. Also, Friedman and
Wilcoxson tests were used to compare different sections in each group
(a=0.05, SPSS ver. 15). Results. There was no significant difference observed
between three experimental groups. All tested irrigants were capable of
removing smear layer (p>0.05). Also, there was a significant difference
between different regions of root canals in all experimental groups except in
phosphoric acid group. Conclusion. The effectiveness of EDTA, Maleic acid and
Phosphoric acid is comparable and all of them are efficient in removing smear
layer.
Structural and electrical properties of Ti doped α-Fe2O3
Authors: Nikolic M.V. , Sekulic D.L. , Nikolic N. , Slankamenac M.P. , Aleksic O.S. , Danninger H. , Halwax E. , Pavlovic V.B. , Nikolic P.M.
Published: January 2014

In this work we have analyzed the effects of Ti doping on structural and
electrical properties of ?-Fe2O3. When the amount of added Ti (5 wt.%TiO2)
was within the solubility degree and XRD, SEM and EDS analysis revealed a
homogenous hematite structure, with lattice parameters a= 5.03719(3) ?,
c=13.7484(1) ? slightly increased due to incorporation of Ti into the
rhombohedral hematite lattice. Higher amounts of Ti (10 wt.%TiO2) resulted in
the formation of pseudobrookite, besides hematite, confirmed by SEM and EDS
analysis. Studies of electric properties in the temperature range 25-225oC at
different frequencies (100 - 1Mz) showed that Ti doping improved electrical
conductivity. Impedance analysis was performed using an equivalent circuit,
showing one relaxation process and suggesting dominant grain boundary
contribution.
Influence of dimensionality on phase transition in VO2 nanocrystals
Authors: Blagojevic V.A. , Obradovic N. , Cvjeticanin N. , Minic D.M.
Published: January 2014

Hydrothermally synthesized one-dimensional and two-dimensional nanocrystals
of VO2 undergo phase transition around 65?C, where temperature and mechanism
of phase transition are dependent on dimensionality of nanocrystals. Both
nanocrystalline samples exhibit depression of phase transition temperature
compared to the bulk material, the magnitude of which depends on the
dimensionality of the nanocrystal. One-dimensional nanoribbons exhibit lower
phase transition temperature and higher values of apparent activation energy
than two-dimensional nanosheets. The phase transition exhibits as a complex
process with somewhat lower value of enthalpy than the phase transition in
the bulk, probably due to higher proportion of surface atoms in the
nanocrystals. High values of apparent activation energy indicate that
individual steps of the phase transition involve simultaneous movement of
large groups of atoms, as expected for single-domain nanocrystalline
materials.
Interface microstructure of the brazed zirconia and Ti-6Al-4V using Ti-based amorphous filler
Authors: Liu Y. , Hu J. , Zhang Y. , Guo Z.
Published: January 2014

The polycrystalline ZrO2?3mol.%Y2O3 was brazed to Ti-6Al-4V using a
Ti47Zr28Cu14Ni11 (at.%) amorphous ribbon at 1123 K in a high vacuum. The
microstructure of the interface and evolution mechanism of the joint was
investigated. The experimental result showed that the typical interfacial
microstructures of the joints consisted of
ZrO2/TiO+TiO2+Cu2Ti4O+Ni2Ti4O/?-Ti+(Ti,Zr)2(Cu,Ni)
eutectic/(Ti,Zr)2(Cu,Ni)/acicular Widmanst?ten structure/Ti-6Al-4V alloy.
The microstructure of the brazed joint was related to the solution and
chemical reaction among atoms during brazing. According to the mechanical
property tests the joint brazed at 1123 K for 30 min obtained the maximum
shear strength 63 MPa. Both the white block intermetallic compound
(Ti,Zr)2(Cu,Ni) and the coarse ?-Ti+(Ti,Zr)2(Cu,Ni) eutectic structure
should be avoided forming in the brazed joint.
Contenu sémantique inégal du terme solvabilité - origine et conséquences
Authors: Pavlovic Vladan , Milacic Srecko
Published: January 2014

La solvabilit? est un terme qui est utilis? quotidiennement, et
qui ? premi?re vue semble clair et compr?hensible. La question de la
solvabilit? des entreprises est trait?e par les sciences ?conomiques et
juridiques. Les ?conomistes ?tudient la solvabilit? dans les disciplines
comptables et financi?res, tandis que les juristes traitent cette question
principalement dans la loi sur les faillites. L?analyse du contenu s?mantique
de ce terme dans les manuels scolaires de la comptabilit? et des finances
r?v?le une diff?rence significative. Ayant pass? en revue la litt?rature et
les textes l?gislatifs, les choses ne deviennent pas plus claires. Cependant
il se r?v?le un tout nouveau contenu s?mantique de ce terme. Par cons?quence,
dans notre litt?rature, il y a trois contenus s?mantiques de la solvabilit?.
L?article d?fend l?id?e qu?il n?y a qu?un seul contenu s?mantique correct de
se terme, et qu?il peut ?tre d?termin? exclusivement par l?analyse
?tymologique.
Trumpet festival in Guca: Socio-demographic profile and the motives for visiting
Authors: Bjeljac Zeljko , Terzic Aleksandra , Brankov Jovana
Published: January 2014

Trumpet Festival in Guca, or The First Trumpet of Dragacevo, which was the
initial name of this event, becomes a kind of a brand of Serbia as a tourist
destination. Every year this festival is visited by hundreds of thousands of
tourists from Serbia and abroad, and brass trumpet bands from around the
world. As the Trumpet Festival is among the most important events of 2426
categorized events in Serbia, the survey is conducted in order to determine
the differences of the visitors relating to the demographic and socioeconomic
indicators: gender, age and educational structure. Motivation and
expectations of tourists, visitors of the events similar to the Trumpet
Festival in Guca can be characterized as a fairly uniform and specific. The
mass musical events which include Trumpet Festival in Guca, Exit Festival in
Novi Sad, and many other festivals of this kind, have almost identical
client?le and principles of behavior of visitors during the events. When
analyzing the results of the survey, one should take into account the
structure of the sample, which shows that most respondents were in the age
group of 20-29 and 30-39 years of age, the majority of the respondents were
men, and that high educational level is the dominant segment (up to 53,5% of
respondents were with college and university degree and 42% with secondary
education). The fact is that the most of Guca visitors come from the
territory of Serbia and the diaspora. Also, visitors of these events
generally do not show any significant interest in other attractive tourist
facilities in the vicinity or in the local area, and very few visitors of the
event stays after the end of festival and after the official program of the
festival. On the basis of the evaluation of the Trumpet Festival in Guca done
by visitors, it can be concluded that this event is generally perceived as a
high-quality event, it is of great national importance and has the real
potential for further development of tourism in this region.
Community of Inquiry: Social Presence Revisited
Authors: Kreijns Karel , Van Acker Frederik , Vermeulen Marjan , Van Buuren Hans
Published: January 2014

Social presence is a construct that has attracted the attention of many educational scholars involved in online collaborative learning settings wherein all the dialogue is happening through text-based asynchronous and synchronous communication channels. The social presence of the learning group members is associated with the degree of participation and social interaction amongst them and, as such, is therefore considered a critical variable for learning. The Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework defines social presence as the ability to project one's personal identity in the online community so that she or he is perceived as a ‘real’ person and/or as progressing through the phases (1) acquiring a social identity, (2) having purposeful communication, and (3) building relationships. However, the CoI social presence construct and its operationalization still leave many issues open. In this article, the original social presence construct is disentangled, concluding that it actually represents two constructs, namely (1) ‘social presence’ (degree of ‘realness' of the other in the communication), and (2) ‘social space’ (degree to which social interpersonal relationships are salient). It is identified that social presence in the CoI model is actually integrating both constructs but with an emphasis on social space. Extending the CoI framework by making a distinction between social presence and social space is beneficial to the CoI model, because attention to its design and implementation can now be more precise. In addition, as social presence and social space are both progressive and developmental in nature, it fits the underlying philosophy of the CoI framework that embraces this dynamic characteristic.
Adapting the Community of Inquiry Survey for an Online Graduate Program: Implications for Online Programs
Authors: Kumar Swapna , Ritzhaupt Albert D.
Published: January 2014

A cohort-based online professional doctorate program that consisted of both online coursework and research activities was designed using Garrison et al's community of inquiry (CoI) framework. The evaluation of the program proved a challenge because all existing CoI assessment methods in the past have dealt with online courses, not with online programs. In the absence of a validated instrument for measuring the success of the community of inquiry design at a program level, the CoI survey for online courses was adapted and used with the second cohort of online students ( n = 18). This article presents (a) an extension of the construct's cognitive, teaching, and social presence for online programs, and (b) an instrument to measure student perceptions of a CoI that encompasses asynchronous and synchronous interactions, as well as course-specific and non-course-specific interactions in different learning spaces.
Glass foam from window panes and bottle glass wastes
Authors: Vancea Cosmin , Lazău Ioan
Published: January 2014

Glass foams are building materials that now compete with classic insulating polymeric and fiber materials for thermal enveloping. The low flammability, high chemical durability and thermal stability are distinct advantages over polymeric materials. The present paper proposes the possibility of producing glass foam using two types of recycled glass wastes (window panes and bottle glass) together with plaster wastes from used ceramic casting molds as foaming agent. Optical microscopy, measurements of apparent porosity and density, hydrolytic and chemical stability, as well as thermal conductivity were used in order to characterize the obtained glass foams as insulator materials for the building industry. The apparent porosity of glass foams ranges between 20.19–54.54% when using window glass wastes, and 18.77–51.75% with bottle glass wastes. Thermal conductivity was less than 0.25 W mK-1 for all the studied glasses. The obtained results confirm that there exists an alternative method for producing glass foams, for example, from glass wastes and used ceramic plaster molds, which are utilized as foaming agents with good chemical stability and insulating properties.
Uncertainty in Predicted Sequences of Activity Travel Episodes
Authors: Rasouli Soora , Timmermans Harry
Published: January 2014

The application of uncertainty analysis requires appropriate statistics that capture the degree of uncertainty in model forecasts. The prediction of activity-based models of travel demand relates to (a) aggregate performance indicators, (b) origin–destination tables and corresponding traffic flows, (c) individual space–time trajectories, and (d) the sequence of activities that are conducted during the day. Because measures to quantify uncertainty in the sequence of activities have not been developed yet, the aim of this paper is to propose a method to measure model uncertainty in predicted activity travel sequences. The proposed method involves generating predicted activity travel patterns for a set of model runs and quantifying the uncertainty in the sequential information embedded in these patterns by calculating the average effort across all possible pairs of predicted sequences to align these multidimensional sequences. The effort is quantified in a multidimensional extension of the Levenshtein distance. Because computational costs may become prohibitive in large-scale applications of this method, several heuristic approaches are suggested and examined. Results indicate that the suggested heuristics (a) can represent uncertainty in predicted activity travel sequences quite well, (b) tend to approximate the calculated uncertainty on the basis of all possible sequences, and (c) do not however necessarily produce asymptotically more accurate results. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Revealed Willingness to Pay for Leisure
Authors: Jara-Díaz Sergio R. , Astroza Sebastián
Published: January 2014

In this paper, a new theoretical construct, the revealed willingness to pay for leisure, is presented as a link between two of the most powerful time use models that are aimed at understanding time allocation and valuing time: the microeconomic utility theory approach and the structural equations modeling method. This link is achieved by formulating a structural equations model (SEM) that keeps the generic features of the approach as applied to time use modeling but improves the incorporation of expenses in addition to activities and socioeconomic variables. The new equation on expenses in a leisure activity permits the calculation of a revealed willingness to pay for leisure, which the authors show to differ theoretically from the value of leisure that emerges from a micro-economic formulation (value of time as a resource). Using the same data from Santiago, Chile, the authors estimate both the SEM and the system of equations for working time, for the time allocated to a leisure activity, and for the expenses associated to a leisure activity, by following a micro-economic formulation. The authors confirm the theoretical derivations and conclude that the SEM does not permit the calculation of the full value of leisure and that the microeconomic approach needs an explicit constraint relating goods consumption and time use for an improved estimation of a most important component of the value of travel time savings.