bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Valor predictivo positivo del diagnóstico prenatal invasivo para alteraciones cromosómicas
Authors: Fandiño-Losada Andres , Lucumí-Villegas Beatriz , Ramírez-Cheyne Julián , Isaza-de Lourido Carolina , Saldarriaga-Gil Wilmar
Published: June 2018

Introducción. El diagnóstico prenatal (DP) invasivo para alteraciones cromosómicas (AC) se realiza según las indicaciones de las pruebas no invasivas y se basa en la probabilidad de encontrar un cariotipo alterado.Objetivos. Identificar las indicaciones para la realización de un procedimiento invasivo con el fin de hacer un DP de AC, calcular el valor predictivo positivo (VPP) de cada indicación y estimar la oportunidad relativa (OR) de encontrar una AC.Materiales y métodos. Estudio transversal que caracterizó las indicaciones de procedimientos invasivos para realizar cariotipos en registros de un centro de diagnóstico genético en Cali, Colombia, en el período 2013-2015.Resultados. De 738 registros de cariotipos analizados, 103 (14.0%) tuvieron AC. Las indicaciones más frecuentes fueron alteración anatómica única en ecografía del segundo trimestre (21.4%) y edad materna (18.8%). Las indicaciones con mayor VPP fueron sonolucencia nucal alterada más otro marcador ecográfico (80.0%) y antecedente de 2 o más abortos (30.8%). Las más altas OR de un cariotipo alterado también fueron la sonolucencia nucal más otro marcador ecográfico (OR=1381.6) y el antecedente de 2 o más abortos (OR=153.5).Conclusiones. La ecografía fue la principal herramienta para indicar procedimientos invasivos de DP. Los marcadores bioquímicos integrados fueron una indicación poco frecuente.
Effects of inhibition on naming in aging
Authors: Neumann Yael , Vogel-Eyny Amy , Cahana-Amitay Dalia , Spiro Avron , Hyun JungMoon , Albert Marting L. , Obler Loraine K.
Published: June 2018

Findings regarding the relation between naming and inhibition among older adults is limited. We posited inhibitory control is crucial for successful naming and tested its role in older adults by exaggerating its effects. Participants included 215 older adults aged 55-89 years, categorized as “good” or ”poor” namers, based on confrontation naming scores. Via a computerized speeded picture-naming test (SNT), we induced intrusions. We then determined the distance between the source for the intruding word and the current item. Performance on traditional neuropsychological tests of inhibition was also assessed. Results revealed that poorer namers had more intrusions on the SNT than better namers, and their intrusions lingered through more stimuli. This suggests that poorer namers experienced greater retrieval inhibition difficulties than better namers. Performance on neuropsychological tests of inhibition also discriminated between better and poorer namers. In conclusion, successful naming among older adults appears to rely heavily on maintaining inhibitory abilities.***Efeitos da inibição na nomeação no envelhecimento***Os achados sobre a relação entre nomeação e inibição entre os idosos são limitados. Nós postulamos que o controle inibitório é crucial para a nomeação bem-sucedida e testamos seu papel em idosos, exagerando seus efeitos. Os participantes foram 215 idosos com idades entre 55-89 anos, categorizados como "bons" ou "pobres" nomeadores, com base em pontuações de nomeação. Através de um teste computadorizado de nomeação de imagens (SNT), induzimos intrusões. Determinamos então a distância entre a fonte da palavra intrusa e o item atual. O desempenho em testes neuropsicológicos tradicionais de inibição também foi avaliado. Os resultados revelaram que os mais nomeadores “pobres” tiveram mais intrusões no SNT do que os “bons”, e suas intrusões permaneceram através de mais estímulos. Isso sugere que os nomeadores mais pobres experimentaram maiores dificuldades de inibição de recuperação do que os melhores nomeadores. O desempenho em testes neuropsicológicos de inibição também discriminou entre nomeadores melhores e mais pobres. Concluindo, a nomeação bem-sucedida entre os adultos mais velhos parece depender muito da manutenção de habilidades inibitórias.
Event-duration semantics in online sentence processing
Authors: Sampaio Thiago Oliveira da Motta , França Aniela Improta
Published: June 2018

Several experiments in Psycholinguistics found evidences of Iterative Coercion, an effect related to the reanalysis of punctual events used in durative contexts triggering an iterative meaning. We argue that this effect is not related to aspectual features, and that event-duration semantics is accessed during Sentence Processing. We ran a self-paced reading experiment in Brazilian Portuguese whose sentences contain events with an average duration of a few minutes. These sentences were inserted in durative contexts that became the experiment’s conditions following a Latin Square design: control condition (minutes), subtractive (seconds), iterative (hours) and habitual (days). Higher RTs were measured at the critical segments of all experimental conditions, except for the habitual context. The results corroborated our hypothesis while defying the psychological reality of habitual coercion. To better observe the habitual coercion condition, we now present a reanalysis of Sampaio et al. (2014) data. The present analysis confirms the results of our tests.***Semântica da duração de eventos no processamento online de sentenças***Diversos experimentos psicolinguísticos encontraram evidências da CoerçãoIterativa, um efeito relacionado à reanálise de eventos pontuais usados emcontextos durativos, que resultam numa leitura iterativa. Nesse trabalho argumentamos que esse efeito não é relacionado a propriedades aspectuais e que a semântica da duração dos eventos é acessada online. Aplicamos um experimento de leitura auto-monitorada em Português Brasileiro, cujas sentenças contém eventos com duração média de alguns minutos. Estas sentenças foram inseridas em quatro condições durativas, seguindo uma distribuição fatorial (quadrado latino):condição controle (minutos), subtrativa (segundos), iterativa (horas) e habitual (dias). Nossos resultados indicam maiores RTs nos segmentos críticos das condições experimentais, exceto em relação a condição habitual. Esses resultados confirmam nossa hipótese, porém, põem em cheque a realidade psicológica da coerção habitual. Assim, para melhor observar os efeitos dessa condição, procedemos uma reanálise dos dados de Sampaio et al. (2014), que finalmente veio confirmar o resultado de nosso teste.
Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Sites Selection for Visakhapatnam City under Vision 2020 Using GIS and AHP
Authors: Dara Prem Kumar , Reddy T. Byragi
Published: June 2018

Municipal solid waste management is considered as one of the most serious environmental and social issue challenging municipal authorities in all major cities in India. The main problem is selecting a suitable landfill site for Solid Waste Management (SWM). Land filling is now accepted as the most widely used method for addressing this problem in all countries of the world. However, appropriate site selection for land filling is a problem in waste management and therefore needs to be addressed. This study aims at selecting a suitable solid waste landfill site for Visakhapatnam City, India for its future needs. A set of four main criteria and 13 sub criteria are considered for identifying suitable sites. The combination of GIS and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) has been used to give weights to different criteria. Relative Importance Weightage (RIW) of each parameter over the other is calculated by pair-wise comparison using the 9-point scale. The suitability index (0.1-0.6) values are determined for five classes (excellent, good, moderate, poor and very poor) for land fill siting. The study also aims at generating an optimal route to the suitable sites identified from the waste transfer station by using Network Analyst module of ArcGIS software such that the total system cost can be minimized.
A generalization of the Chung-Erdős inequality
Authors: Choi Daeshik
Published: June 2018

We find upper and lower bounds for the probability of a union of events which generalize the well-known Chung-Erdős inequality. Moreover, we will show monotonicity of the bounds.
Random reals and polarized colorings
Authors: Garti Shimon , Shelah Saharon
Published: June 2018

We analyze the strong polarized partition relation with respect to several cardinal characteristics and forcing notions of the reals. We prove that random reals (as well as the existence of real-valued measurable cardinals) yield downward negative polarized relations.
Maximum star densities
Authors: Reiher Christian , Wagner Stephan
Published: June 2018

Given an integer k ≧ 2 and a real number γ ∈ [0; 1], which graphs of edge density γ contain the largest number of k-edge stars? For k = 2 Ahlswede and Katona proved that asymptotically there cannot be more such stars than in a clique or in the complement of a clique (depending on the value of γ). Here we extend their result to all integers k ≧ 2.
EEG correlates associated with the severity of gambling disorder and serum BDNF levels in patients with gambling disorder
Authors: Kim Kyoung Min , Choi Sam-Wook , Lee Jaewon , Kim Jun Won
Published: June 2018

Background and aims

This study aimed to evaluate the association between the severity of pathological gambling, serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level, and the characteristics of quantitative electroencephalography (EEG) in patients with gambling disorder.

Methods

A total of 55 male patients aged 18–65 with gambling disorder participated. The severity of pathological gambling was assessed with the nine-item Problem Gambling Severity Index from the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI-PGSI). The Beck Depression Inventory and Lubben Social Network Scale were also assessed. Serum BDNF levels were assessed from blood samples. The resting-state EEG was recorded while the eyes were closed, and the absolute power of five frequency bands was analyzed: delta (1–4 Hz), theta (4–8 Hz), alpha (8–12 Hz), beta (12–30 Hz), and gamma (30–50 Hz).

Results

Serum BDNF level was positively correlated with theta power in the right parietal region (P4, r = .403, p = .011), beta power in the right parietal region (P4, r = .456, p = .010), and beta power in the right temporal region (T8, r = .421, p = .008). Gambling severity (CPGI-PGSI) was positively correlated with absolute beta power in the left frontal region (F7, r = .284, p = .043) and central region [(C3, r = .292, p = .038), (C4, r = .304, p = .030)].

Conclusions

These findings support the hypothesis that right-dominant lateralized correlations between BDNF and beta and theta power reflect right-dominant brain activation in addiction. The positive correlations between beta power and the severity of gambling disorder may be associated with hyperexcitability and increased cravings. These findings contribute to a better understanding of brain-based electrophysiological changes and BDNF levels in patients with pathological gambling.
At-risk gambling in patients with severe mental illness: Prevalence and associated features
Authors: Bergamini Annalisa , Turrina Cesare , Bettini Francesca , Toccagni Anna , Valsecchi Paolo , Sacchetti Emilio , Vita Antonio
Published: June 2018

Background and aims

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of at-risk gambling in a large, unselected sample of outpatients attending two community mental health centers, to estimate rates according to the main diagnosis, and to evaluate risk factors for gambling.

Methods

All patients attending the centers were evaluated with the Canadian Problem Gambling Index and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Diagnoses were checked with the treating psychiatrists and after a chart review of the university hospital discharge diagnoses.

Results

The rate of at-risk gambling in 900 patients was 5.3%. In those who gambled over the last year, 10.1% were at-risk gamblers. The rates in the main diagnostic groups were: 4.7% schizophrenia and related disorders, 4.9% bipolar disorder, 5.6% unipolar depression, and 6.6% cluster B personality disorder. In 52.1% of the cases, at-risk gambling preceded the onset of a major psychiatric disorder. In a linear regression analysis, a family history of gambling disorder, psychiatric comorbidities, drug abuse/dependence, and tobacco smoking were significantly associated with at-risk gambling.

Discussion and conclusion

The results of this study evidenced a higher rate of at-risk gambling compared to community estimates and call for a careful screening for gambling in the general psychiatric population.
Social implications of children’s smartphone addiction: The role of support networks and social engagement
Authors: Ihm Jennifer
Published: June 2018

Background and aims

Most studies have regarded smartphone addiction as a condition stemming from individuals’ psychological issues, so research has rarely examined it in relation to a lack of social resources and its social impacts. However, this study reinterprets smartphone addiction as a social problem stemming from a lack of offline social networks and resulting in a decline of social engagement.

Methods

This study drew on a survey of 2,000 children in Korea consisting of 991 males and 1,009 females with an average age of 12 years old. Using the STATA 14 structural equation modeling program, this study examined the relationships between children’s lack of social networks, smartphone addiction, and social engagement.

Results

Social network variables, such as formal organizational membership, quality of relationship with parents, size of the peer group, and peer support, decrease smartphone addiction. Simply having good relationships and reciprocal feelings with peers do not have any influence on the smartphone addiction. The more the children become addicted to smartphones, the less they participate in social engagement.

Discussion and conclusions

This study provides a new understanding of smartphone addiction by focusing on its social aspects, augmenting prior studies that have addressed psychological factors. Findings suggest that children’s lack of social networks may inhibit comfortable social interactions and feelings of support in the offline environment, which can heighten their desire to escape to smartphones. These children, unlike non-addicts, may not take advantage of the media to enrich their social lives and increase their level of social engagement.
Time on the Waterline
Authors: Byrne Denis
Published: June 2018

Coastal reclamations may represent humanity's overreaching lust for land, but from whereI stand in 2015 on the beach below the reclamation at Elizabeth Bay on Sydney Harbour,gazing at the sandstone seawall, what compels my attention is the way this reclamationis giving up its substance to the sea. As the geological time of the wall engages with therhythmic time of the sea, my own geosubjectivity comes momentarily into view. Recollectionof the reclamation park of the 1980s as a gay cruising site sparks a considerationof how open minds and touching bodies in that decade form a background conduciveto closer human-nonhuman relations in the present decade. Finally, moving to the SetoInland Sea, Japan, to reflect on the time of concrete, I examine the historical move fromstone to concrete as the favoured material for seawall construction.
Making Time with Amateur Astronomers and Orbital Space Debris
Authors: Reno Joshua Ozias
Published: June 2018

This paper compares the material practice of amateur astronomers with that of archaeologists, specifically arguing that they engage with materials and time in distinct but complementary ways. In particular, the paper outlines the ways in which amateur astronomers become attuned to the temporal cycles and rhythms of extraterrestrial materials as they gaze into the night sky, much like how archaeological practitioners must get to know the taphonomic processes involved in the formation of archaeological sites. Finally, it is argued that for these reasons astronomers might offer insights to the investigation of orbital space debris, a topic of interest among archaeologists of outer space, and materials that produce their own threatening and nested temporalities.
Use of Patient's Own Natural Teeth as Part of the Interim Prosthesis on Immediately Placed Single Implants in a Staged Surgical Approach: A Clinical Report
Authors: Bukhari Sarah A. , AlHelal Abdulaziz , Proussaefs Periklis , Garbacea Antoanela , Kattadiyil Mathew T.
Published: June 2018

A technique is described where the tooth's natural crown is used as part of the interim implant supported prosthesis in clinical situations where a tooth with poor prognosis is extracted and an implant is placed immediately after tooth extraction. A preliminary impression is made before tooth extraction, and the exact tooth positioning is assessed in the laboratory as part of the treatment plan. An acrylic resin repositioning jig is fabricated that will guide the clinician in seating and orienting the crown intraorally after implant placement is completed. After the natural tooth is extracted and an implant is immediately placed via guided approach, the extracted natural crown is hollowed and placed on top of an interim abutment. The natural crown is positioned intraorally by using the acrylic resin repositioning jig. The crown is then internally relined and placed as part of the interim implant supported prosthesis. After osseointegration has been confirmed, a definitive prosthesis is placed.
A avaliação do Transportation Management System nas operações logísticas de uma empresa de bebidas
Authors: Ribeiro Priscilla Cristina Cabral , Miranda Andrade Amanda , Aquino da Silva Fábio
Published: June 2018

As empresas fazem investimentos em Tecnologia da Informação (TI) com o objetivo de obter vantagens no alinhamento dos sistemas de TI ao negócio da empresa. Esse alinhamento revela o desempenho das organizações e gera um aumento de sua competitividade, além de melhorar os resultados dos projetos de implantação dessas tecnologias. As operações logísticas são outra fonte de vantagens competitivas, mas, quando suportadas pelas TIs, têm melhores resultados. O objetivo geral do artigo é avaliar a TI em uma empresa produtora de bebidas no Brasil, em suas operações de transporte entre fábricas e centros de distribuição (CDs). Para atingir este objetivo, foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica na qual foram levantados atributos na literatura sobre avaliação de TI e SI, por meio de uma bibliometria com um conjunto de palavras-chave, nas bases Scopus e ISI. A abordagem utilizada foi a qualitativa, o método foi o estudo de caso, duas entrevistas semiestruturadas com os gerentes de TI e de transportes e suprimentos da empresa. A contribuição do Transportation Management Ssystem (TMS) está na substituição dos processos manuais, agilizando a troca de informação, a velocidade na liberação da frota e fornecendo informações precisas às operações logísticas.
Vulnerabilidade e Riscos de Ruptura no Abastecimento de Materiais e Medicamentos na Cadeia de Suprimento em um Hospital Público
Authors: Silva Lilian de Fátima , Afonso Tarcísio , Sousa Caissa Veloso e , Afonso Bruno Pellizzaro Dias
Published: June 2018

Identifica-se na cadeia de suprimento hospitalar constantes rupturas ocasionadas por diversas fontes de riscos e vulnerabilidades. O presente artigo teve como objetivo identificar e analisar as principais vulnerabilidades, que implicam em riscos de ruptura no abastecimento de materiais e medicamentos, na cadeia de suprimento de um hospital público, localizado na cidade de Belo Horizonte. A partir de uma pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa, foram entrevistados dez funcionários do hospital e cinco fornecedores. Para a elaboração do roteiro de entrevistas utilizou-se o modelo proposto por Mason-Jones e Towill (1988) adaptado por Bastos Júnior (2007). Como parte dos resultados encontrados é possível citar os riscos de abastecimento e o riscos de processos entre os que mais apresentaram preocupação, na visão dos funcionários e, os riscos de abastecimento e os riscos de controle na visão dos fornecedores. Infere-se que é necessário maior investimento na gestão de suprimento do hospital, tendo em vista que os processos são baseados na reação aos riscos e não na sua prevenção.
O impacto do lean manufacturing como fator de melhoria no desempenho produtivo
Authors: Pentiado Godoy Leoni , Medianeira Stefano Nara , Pietrobelli Bueno Wagner , Pentiado Godoy Taís , Da Silva Wegner Roger
Published: June 2018

Este artigo tem como objetivo principal apresentar o impacto que a ferramenta Lean manufacturing pode ocasionar em uma empresa que não possui metodologia de gestão para o Sistema Toyota de Produção. Este trabalho foi realizado em uma indústria que terceiriza serviços para exportação do setor coureiro calçadistas de médio porte localizada no polo industrial do RS, Brasil. No levantamento de dados foram realizados questionamentos junto aos gestores, colaboradores, além do uso da visão empírica do pesquisador quanto às decisões que estavam sendo tomadas nos processos produtivos para um período de quatro meses. Esses dados foram analisados por meio de planilhas Excel. Nos resultados encontrados, percebeu-se a importância da aplicação das ferramentas do Lean Manufacturin, e, algumas sugestões foram elencadas aos gestores principalmente em relação a capacidade ociosa de produção em diversos setores, representando o quanto a empresa poderia estar produzindo a mais para atingir sua capacidade máxima. Os mapeamentos aplicados identificaram-se a adaptação de novas máquinas para melhores resultados de produção, assim como se intensificou o mapeamento dos caminhos críticos que agregam e não agregam valor no ambiente operacional produtivo.
Utilização da técnica de preferência declarada: um estudo no setor de habitação para estudantes universitários
Authors: Albano Claudio Sonaglio , Guterres Marcelo Xavier , Moreira Thaisa
Published: June 2018

Em um mercado dinâmico e competitivo, para que um produto ou serviço seja escolhido, é de suma importância a compreensão das necessidades do seu consumidor. Algums técnicas de pesquisa de mercado são recomendadas para investigar as preferências do consumidor. Este trabalho relata uma pesquisa de preferência declarada, com aplicação específica ao processo de escolha do local de habitação dos estudantes universitários. A coleta de dados com estudantes de uma universidade federal, questionário composto de cartões estruturados, onde os estudantes deveriam apontar suas preferências, a composição da amostra foi aleatória, conforme a disponibilidade dos estudantes. Os resultados revelam as preferências deste segmento consumidor, possibilitando um maior conhecimento sobre os fatores que são predominantes quando da escolha do local para habitação. Outra contribuição do trabalho é demonstrar os procedimentos metológicos desenvolvidos para o uso da técnica de preferência delcarada e seus respectivos resultados.
Indicadores de desempenho no modelo de gestão BSC: uma investigação nas vinícolas da região da campanha gaúcha
Authors: Paz Fábio Josende , Rubin Henrique Bevilaqua , Kipper Liane Mahlmann
Published: June 2018

O segmento da vitivinicultura está em plena expansão na região da Campanha, no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul – Brasil. Gestores que atuam neste segmento precisam, cada vez mais, de ferramentas que os auxiliem no processo de gestão estratégica. Uma das principais ferramentas utilizada mundialmente para isto é o Balanced Scorecard (BSC), que utiliza indicadores de desempenho, em diferentes perspectivas organizacionais, como forma sistêmica de avaliação. Assim, a pesquisa tinha como objetivo investigar a utilização de indicadores de desempenho no modelo de gestão BSC, nas vinícolas da região da Campanha Gaúcha. Para tanto, um estudo exploratório e descritivo, de caráter quantitativo e qualitativo foi desenvolvido, sendo possível observar que estas vinícolas utilizam, majoritariamente, indicadores da perspectiva financeira da empresa, deixando outros aspectos e perspectivas importantes, em segundo plano. Foi constatado também que a qualidade na gestão não depende da quantidade de indicadores utilizados, mas sim da correta utilização dos mesmos.
CONTENT ANALYSES ON MISSION STATEMENTS OF THE MOBILE NETWORK OPERATORS IN KYRGYZSTAN
Authors: NAJIMUDINOVA Seyil
Published: June 2018

Comparing
the most popular management tools used by executives regardless of the
geography over years, mission statement consistently remains in the top10.
Transition period from planning to market economy showed that Kyrgyzstan like
other transition economies suffered from a lack of entrepreneurship experience.
Especially crafting of mission statement for organization itself is relatively
new experience for post-Soviet economies like Kyrgyzstan. This paper aims to study
the contents of mission statements of mobile network operators (MNOs) in
Kyrgyzstan and set up whether the mission statements of MNOs include eight
components recommended by Pierce and David (1987). Mission statement components
suggested by Pearce and David are still found to be the most popular and
consistent. The corporate web sites of operators were screened to take out
information about mission statements. This content analysis showed how MNOs are
less successful and consistent in their mission statement. The Pierce and
David’s components were partly included in mission statements of MNO in
Kyrgyzstan.
Vader van holisme: Was Jan Smuts 'n intellektueel?
Authors: du Pisani K
Published: June 2018

Jan Smuts was uiters intelligent, 'n wetenskaplike in eie reg, 'n beskermheer van die wetenskappe en 'n bydraer tot wetenskaplike literatuur en diskoerse. Kwalifiseer hy deur sy intellektuele bydraes om as 'n intellektueel geklassifiseer te word? Sy aanspraak op die status van intellektueel sentreer om die konsep van holisme, wat hy oor dekades ontwikkel het en wat in Holism and evolution (1926) uiteengesit is. In hierdie boek het hy in 'n sintese van die bestaande kennis van sy tyd holisme voorgehou as die kreatiewe en koördinerende beginsel in die heelal, wat materie, lewe en gees saamvoeg. Hy het teleologies argumenteer dat evolusie 'n proses is wat al meer komplekse gehele tot stand bring en dat die natuur in die rigting van voortdurende verbetering beweeg. Smuts se konsep het positiewe openbare en wetenskaplike kommentaar uitgelok, maar hom ook betrek in 'n dispuut met Arthur Tansley, waarin sy idealistiese beskouing teen Tansley se materialistiese benadering te staan gekom het. Dekades later, in die 1980's, het holisme weer sterk op die voorgrond getree as teenvoeter vir reduksionisme. Dit het 'n sleutelkomponent van die sisteemteorie en -wetenskap geword, maar het ook prominent geword in diskoerse in verskillende soorte wetenskappe en in die werk van vooraanstaande wetenskaplikes in verskillende dissiplines. My gevolgtrekking is dat Smuts wel as 'n intellektueel kwalifiseer. Hierdie gevolgtrekking word eerstens gebaseer daarop dat Smuts se holisme die resultaat van oorspronklike denke was en intuïtief die weg aangedui het vir verdere ondersoek om die werklikheid te verklaar en te verstaan. Smuts het hiermee 'n konstruktiewe en steeds geldige bydrae tot die wetenskaplike paradigmaskuif in die twintigste eeu gelewer. Tweedens het holisme 'n beduidende impak op die samelewing gemaak, beide in Smuts se eie tyd en later. As intellektueel was en bly Smuts 'n belangrike rolspeler in openbare diskoerse.
Selfbestuur in diep verdeelde samelewings - die kaleidoskoop van Afrikaanse pogings tot 'n model vir selfbestuur
Authors: de Vllliers B
Published: June 2018

Die Afrikaanse gemeenskap het veral sedert 1994 'n magdom nieregeringsinisiatiewe begin ten einde die voortbestaan van die Afrikaanse taal te bevorder. Die vraag wat telkens gevra word is tot watter mate die Grondwet van Suid-Afrika daarin slaag om die nodige beskerming te bied aan taalgemeenskappe soos die Afrikaanssprekendes en tot watter mate die Afrikaanse gemeenskap die moontlikhede van die Grondwet ten volle benut. Hierdie artikel stel ondersoek in na die volgende vrae: (a) is Afrikaanssprekendes 'n "minderheidsgroep" vir doeleindes van die internasionale reg; (b) is daar in die internasionale reg 'n "reg tot outonomie" vir minderheidsgroepe; (c) voldoen die Grondwet van Suid-Afrika aan internasionale norme insake minderheidsregte; en (d) tot watter mate word spesifieke bepalinge van die Grondwet geoperasionaliseer deur die Afrikaanse gemeenskap. Die gevolgtrekking is dat die Afrikaanse gemeenskap 'n minderheidsgroep is; dat daar geen internasionale reg is tot outonomie nie; dat die indirekte outonomie van die provinsies van die Wes-Kaap en Noord-Kaap tiperend is van internasionale praktyke; dat meer gedoen kan word vir die daarstel van 'n Afrikaanse gemeenskapsraad in die Wes-Kaap en in ander provinsies; dat die outonomie van beheerliggame van openbare skole in die toekoms waarskynlik verder ingeperk sal word; dat 'n groter gedeelte van Afrikaanse huishoudings se besteebare inkomste aangewend sal moet word vir onder meer Afrikaanse onderrig.
"'n Tyd van oorvloed;'n tyd van skaarste": Utopiese en distopiese impulse in Lien Botha se Wonderboom
Authors: Human T
Published: June 2018

In her debut novel, Wonderboom (2015), Lien Botha embraces established novelistic traditions such as the travel narrative and literary dystopia, but at the same time she succeeds in working within these genre boundaries in an innovative and expanding manner. Unlike many dystopian novels that have appeared in Afrikaans over the last three decades or so, Wonderboom is not dominated by a pessimistic or fatalistic attitude. The novel rather articulates the optimistic belief that things can be different from the bleak outlook portrayed at narrative level, despite the process of undoing that is present at the structural and content levels. Wonderboom (2015), Lien Botha se debuutroman, speel soos Eben Venter se Horrelpoot (2006) en Deon Meyer se Koors (2016), in 'n postapokaliptiese Suid-Afrika af, met die gevolg dat dit teen die agtergrond van distopiese toekomsliteratuur in Afrikaans gelees kan word, maar dan as welkome vroulike bydrae tot 'n genre wat die afgelope paar jaar deur manskrywers gedomineer is. Barendse (2013:76) wys daarop dat hoewel hedendaagse internasionale distopiese literatuur 'n sterk feministiese inslag vertoon, die toekomsromans wat sedert die 1990's in Afrikaans verskyn het, almal geskryf is "deur wit Afrikaanse manlike skrywers" en almal "wit manlike hoofkarakters" bevat. Met Wonderboom sluit Botha by tekste aan wat eerder onder die noemer "kritiese distopieë" as "klassieke distopieë" tuisgebring kan word. Volgens Mohr (2005:10) behoort hierdie tekste tot die eiesoortige genre wat sy "grensoor-skrydende utopiese distopieë" noem, aangesien dit bepaalde utopiese elemente by die oorwegend distopiese vertelling inkorporeer en die binêre logika van die klassieke distopie bevraagteken, ondermyn en oorstyg. In hierdie artikel word daar, in die lig van bogenoemde, ondersoek ingestel na die wyses waarop Wonderboom die konvensies van die sogenaamde klassieke distopie bevestig, maar terselfdertyd ook aan die hand van utopiese perspektiewe uitdaag en op grensoorskrydende wyse ondermyn.
Statistiese evaluering en voorspelling van woordherkenning-toetstellings van die Foneties Verteenwoordigende Eenlettergrepige Woordlyste in Afrikaans (FVEWA)
Authors: Naudé A
Published: June 2018

TEORETIESE RAAMWERK: In die oudiologiese toetsbattery word spraakoudiometrie klinies meer sensitief as suiwertoon-oudiometrie geag om verlaagde ouditiewe analitiese vaardigheid in terme van komplekse akoestiese strukture in individue te identifiseer, omdat dit ook hoër vlak linguistiese funksie in die evaluering insluit. Hoewel spraakoudiometrie dus as 'n belangrike komponent geag word, is daar tot op hede geen foneties gebalanseerde Afrikaanse spraakmateriaal beskikbaar om woordherkenning mee te meet nie. Woordherkenning moet in individue se eerste taal bepaal word ten einde 'n meer verteenwoordigende beeld van hul daaglikse kommunikasie funksionering te verkry. DOEL: Die hoofdoel van hierdie navorsing was om die geldigheid van die Foneties Verteenwoordigende Eenlettergrepige Woordlyste in Afrikaans (FVEWA) statisties te bepaal om woordherkenning in 'n bepaalde Afrikaanse populasie te meet. METODIEK: Die navorsing is gebaseer op 'n kwantitatiewe retrospektiewe studie van die oudiologierekords van deelnemers wat by 'n privaat oudiologiepraktyk geassesseer is. Die FVEWA is geëvalueer in terme van interlys-ekwivalensie en prestasie-intensiteit funksie vir gebruik in kliniese praktyk. BEVINDINGS: Daar is bevind dat die ses FVEWA-woordlyste statisties ekwivalent is wat moeilikheidsgraad betref. Die gemiddeld waar deelnemers 50% korrekte woordherkenning bereik het, was 14.2 dBGP. Die helling van die woordlyste wat in die FVEWA gebruik is, was 3.1%/dB by 50% (%/dB).
Protein Purification of Recombinant Human Tyrosinase Full Length and Intra-Melanosomal Domain v2
Authors: L. Young II Kenneth , B. Dolinska Monika , J. Kus Nicole , Poliakov Eugenia , V. Sergeev Yuri
Published: June 2018

Human tyrosinase, a protein involved in the melanogenesis pathway, has various mutations in its corresponding gene (TYR) which have been linked to Oculocutaneous Albinism type 1 (OCA1), an autosomal recessive disease. Naturally, this inherited disorder leads to decreased melanocyte pigmentation accompanied by variousvisual dysfunction. Recombinant human tyrosinase was individually overexpressed in whole Trichoplusia ni (T. ni) larvae. Purification of catalytically active protein was achieved through immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). Moreover, confirmation of protein identity was accomplished using human tyrosinase-specific antibodies and mass spectrometry. Lastly, the activity for both the intra-melanosomal domain (truncated, hTyrCtr) and full length (hTyr)protein was displayed through L-DOPA and L-Tyrosine conversion into dopachrome (measured at 475 nm). This method of protein purification allows for higher yield recombinant hTyr and hTyrCtr protein from whole insect biomass to further elucidate characterization of both structure and role in human melanogenesis with the overall goal to use hTyr for enzyme replacement therapy.
Rat ACTB one-step qPCR v1
Authors: Groelz Daniel , Dettmann Nadine
Published: June 2018

Quantitative PCR for amplification of genomic DNA from FFPE (formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded), PFPE (PAXgene Tissue-fixed and paraffin-embedded), and snap-frozen fixed tissues.
Analysis of long-term results of collagen corneal cross-linking in patients with ectatic forms of corneal dystrophy
Authors: Frolov Oleg A. , Astakhov Sergey Yu. , Danilov Pavel A. , Novikov Sergey A.
Published: June 2018

Corneal collagen cross-linking became a permanent part of complex treatment for patients with different forms of corneal ectasia. In periodical literature, there are anecdotal reports concerning long-term results of this corneal disease therapy method, which is an isolated variant of photodynamic therapy.

Purpose. To carry out a retrospective study of corneal collagen cross-linking long-term results in various ectatic corneal diseases.

Materials and methods. Results of corneal collagen cross-linking in patients with ectatic forms of corneal dystrophy 6 years after surgery were analyzed. The nosological structure of the study included a group of patients with primary keratoconus, pellucid marginal corneal degeneration, secondary ectasias. The group with primary keratoconus includes 30 patients (31 eyes), that with pellucid marginal degeneration 10 patients (10 eyes), that with secondary ectasias 10 patients (10 eyes). Data of the diagnostic examination before surgery, intermediate data of the dynamic follow-up during 6 years of observation were used for the analysis. Corneal collagen cross-linking was performed in the first or second year of follow-up, followed by monitoring of changes in the state of the cornea after corneal collagen cross-linking for 4-5 years.

Results. A statistically significant increase in visual acuity was observed after the corneal collagen cross-linking in patients with primary and secondary ectasias. In patients diagnosed with pellucid marginal degeneration, there was no statistically significant increase of visual function. A decrease in the corneal asymmetry index was revealed in all groups and confirmed by statistical analysis.
Impact of Smart Electronic Devices in Contemporary Dentistry- ‘Tech-Knowledge-Y’ in Dentistry
Authors: Sudenthiran Sujithra , Ganesh Vanmali Ankita , Harinee Sri , Jacob Mathew
Published: June 2018

Change is the necessary part of life. In fact, “the only thing constant in the world is-CHANGE". Change happens in every aspect of our lives. In today’s world where digital devices have caused a new era to begin, this has caused a tremendous change in each and every field present. The change from telephone to mobile/smart phone; from letters to email; from hard copy to soft copy form of storage; from low resolution to high resolution camera and so on. The change is drastic. Now the question is will these technologies bring any change in contemporary dentistry? The present article surveys the impact of smart electronic devices in contemporary dentistry.
Theoretical Investigation on Solvent Dependent Shift and Electronic Transition Properties of Certain Schiff Bases
Authors: Uysal ULKU DILEK , Berber Halil , Ercengiz Dila
Published: June 2018

Bu çalışma kapsamında; bazı
o-hidroksi türevi Schiff bazı bileşikleri sentezlenmiş, yapıları spektroskopik
teknikler ile aydınlatılmıştır. Bu bileşikler ve olası tautomer yapıları gaz ve
polar çözücü varlığında DFT yöntemi B3LYP/6-311g (2d,2p) seviyesinde,
incelenerek kararlı tautomer yapıları belirlenmiştir. Kararlı tautomer
formlarının DFT yöntemi B3LYP/6-311g(2d,2p) seviyesinde, UV spektrumları
hesaplanarak çözücüye bağlı kayma ve elektronik geçiş özelliklerinin ve
HOMO-LUMO değerleri hesaplanarak bileşiklerin olası moleküler elektronik
özellikleri belirlenmiştir.
Has demonetization triggered farmers to move towards cashless transactions?
Authors: Kumar Sant , Jain Rajni , Jhajhria Abimanyu , Bangaraju S.V. , Balaji S.J.
Published: June 2018

This paper has documented the difficulties faced by farmers due to demonetization, facilities existing for making digital payments and farmers’ opinion about it. The study has used primary data collected through farm survey done in October 2017, almost a year after demonetization. The survey was made in three adopted villages under MGMG (Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav) scheme in Palwal district of Haryana. Results have shown that due to demonetization farmers faced numerous difficulties (both crop production and family related activities). They could not use quality inputs (particularly seeds of wheat) in desired quantity, got delayed payment of their crop produce and faced problems in drawing money from bank. Family and societal needs were also affected. Payment in cash was the main mode of transactions (and even now) for food and non-food articles. Analysis revealed that large number of farmers have bank account and are availing facilities of debit cum ATM card, but their functional literacy and infrastructure are inadequate. Farmers’ expressed both merits and demerits about digital payments. Nevertheless, without removing fear of farmers and other rural people and bringing change in their attitude, moving towards digital mode of transactions will not trigger desired results.
The use of digital learning objects for effective mathematics instruction
Authors: Bartek Kvetoslav , Nocar David
Published: June 2018

Digital learning objects (DLOs) can be defined as interactive (web-based) tools that are mainly used and reused for learning, education or training. In mathematics education, we use DLO for its potential to help students to understand phenomena, whose introduction in the traditional way of teaching mathematics could be problematic. We analysed one of the biggest and well known DLO repositories on the web RVP.cz, which is the main methodological support for teachers and implementation of the educational framework. We followed representation of the three DLO types of category 2 introduced in this text.

Keywords:Digital learning objects, DL, educational games ,DLO repository ,survey
The evaluation in the physical sciences in the Moroccan secondary school curriculum: the case of experimental skills
Authors: Touli El Hassan , Talbi Mohammed , Radid Mohamed
Published: June 2018

Evaluation is a task of great importance in the service of the teaching/learning that allows us to check whether or not specific educational objectives have been achieved.Currently, with the emergence of active pedagogies, according to several points of view, new challenges have emerged other than simply assessment.   As far as Moroccan education is concerned, assessment focuses on the level of mastery of specific skills on the part of learners at the beginning, during and at the end of the year, as well as at the end of each period of learning.Our present research is interested in the taking into consideration the evaluation of experimental skills in the physical sciences as part of the Moroccan educational system.To be able to check the hypotheses that have been advanced in our study, we developed a questionnaire that was distributed to a sample of physics-chemistry secondary school teachers in Morocco.The majority of the teachers in our sample have reported several constraints, including a lack of material necessary to plan and implement the work practices needed to provide an adequate education in terms of experimental activity in the field of physics-chemistry.

 

Keywords: Evaluation, teachingâ€“learning, skills, physics and chemistry
Towards a model of the axiological universe of teachers in Romanian pre-university education
Authors: Cojocariu Venera-Mihaela , Albu Gabriel
Published: June 2018

The axiological dimension of the teacherâ€™s professional profile in pre-university education has not been investigated in relation to its formative impact. The problem: the knowledge of the set of values on which this class of teachers build their activity. The aim: to develop an axiological model of the universe of values in which the Romanian pre-university education teachers believe. During the last 5 years, we conducted questionnaire-based surveys to investigate the specific set of values of teachers of the pre-university education system in Romania: preschool, primary, middle, high-school. The obtained data materialised in axiological sets for teachers at each level. Based on the comparative analysis and by structuring their common aspects, we will be able to develop a model of the axiological universe of all categories of teachers in the pre-university Romanian education. The findings of the study will have implications for the design of initial/continuous training courses.
Life and career skills of primary school students: A tentative model and an online scale
Authors: Praraksa Phoom , Simpol Wanida
Published: June 2018

Life and career skills are essential attributes for living in the 21st century because they are important to both learning and working in local and international workplaces. This study tried to create a measurement model of life and career skills and develop an online scale for investigating the psychometric property of the scale. The participants consisted of 646 primary students in Northern, Central, Southern and North eastern regions of Thailand. Then, the classical test theory, the multidimensional item response theory and the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used for data analysis. The analysis of data appeared as item of difficulty index, discrimination power index and reliability of the scale. In addition, the multidimensional analysis and the CFA of data showed item fit and construct validity of the scale. This may lead to the development of clear and correct measure of studentsâ€™ life and career skills structure. Policy implications are discussed.

Keywords: Life and career skills, tentative model, online scale, construct validity.
The studentsâ€™ perception of practicing bodybuilding considering the definition of fitness for the future sports trainers
Authors: Dobrescu Tatiana
Published: June 2018

Starting from the importance of bodybuilding principles and means that aim at the somatic-functional and psychological development of practitioners, this sociological study was conducted on the first and second year students of the Faculty of Movement, Sports and Health Sciences of Bacau, from the Sport and Top Motor Performance programme. The research consisted in a sociological study, consisting in an inquiry, based on a questionnaire comprising 20 items using closed, precoded or open questions. The practice of fitness improving sports, and in this case of bodybuilding (even as a professional sport) have ample beneficial effects for their general physical and mental development such as: improvement of oneâ€™s health, beneficial influence of oneâ€™s conduct, improvement of oneâ€™s motor skills, it ensures a good level of fitness, mental- emotional balance, it develops oneâ€™s communication skills (especially nonverbal communication) and also, it develops the aesthetic sense.

Keywords: Bodybuilding, students, perception, fitness, sports trainers.
Greek teachersâ€™ metacognitive awareness on reading strategies
Authors: Koulianou Maria , Samartzi Stavroula
Published: June 2018

The purpose of the present study was to enlighten teachersâ€™ metacognitive awareness of reading strategies. Several inventories concerning studentsâ€™ metacognitive reading strategies have been developed but none of them refers to teachersâ€™ metacognitive awareness. Teachersâ€™ metacognition is the least explored area in education. The scope was to investigate teachersâ€™ metacognitive awareness of their reading strategies via Metacognitive Awareness Inventory and Metacognitive Awareness Inventory for Teachers tools. During the study, 290 high school teachers from different regions of Greece participated in questionnaire procedure. The analysis of the results showed that teachers more often use problem-solving and global than support-type strategies. The analysis of both inventories revealed a higher significant correlation between regulation of cognition and metacognitive reading strategies. The findings of this study showed that teachersâ€™ metacognitive reading strategies remain implicit. Furthermore, investigation is recommended.

Keywords: Metacognitive awareness, metacognitive reading strategies, MARSI, MAIT, teachers.
The role of consciousness and sub-consciousness in teaching of grammar in ELT
Authors: Ozdemir Selin , Yavuz Fatih
Published: June 2018

Teaching grammar has been regarded as one of the most crucial issues in the field of language. It gains its importance since it helps learners attain high level of accuracy and proficiency in language learning processes. During these processes, the way of teaching grammar differs under some certain circumstances and is divided into some sub-categories such as conscious grammar teaching and subconscious grammar teaching. In this study, a literature review of issues on the role of consciousness and sub-consciousness in teaching of grammar has been widely discussed since there are numerous views, claims and approaches related to choosing one of them as an ideal way to teach grammar. Both of them have a significant impact on the knowledge of grammar .The study revealed that neither conscious grammar teaching which lays emphasis on the structures and rules of a language nor subconscious grammar teaching without attention to explicit knowledge of grammar should be neglected.

Keywords: Grammar teaching, consciousness, sub-consciousness, deductive, inductive.