bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sorption of Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni, and Co to nano-TiO2 in seawater
Authors: Bożena Graca , Zakrzewska Danuta , Szymczycha Beata
Published: October 2017

In this study, the role of nanoparticles in complex aqueous matrices such as the Baltic Sea was investigated in batch-mode experiments in which titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nano-TiO2) were tested for their ability to remove heavy metals (Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni, Co) from multicomponent spiked and non-spiked Baltic Sea water. The experimental data were analyzed using different isotherms (Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin–Kaganer–Radushkevich (DKR)) and models (pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models, the double-exponential model, and the Weber–Morris model). The equilibria and kinetic investigations showed that metal sorption to nano-TiO2 occurs in a two-step, multilayer process and that there is strong competition for sorption sites. The results of the DKR isotherm and dilution experiment indicated weak electrostatic bonds, except for Pb. The distribution coefficient values (1.8 × 103 to 2.8 × 105 ml g−1) were consistent with the good sorbent properties of nano-TiO2 and supported the use of the particles in seawater purification technologies. However, metal-enriched nano-TiO2 may also act as an effective carriers of metals to marine sediments, which could increase their availability to benthic organisms.
Industrial wastewater treatment with a bioelectrochemical process: assessment of depuration efficiency and energy production
Authors: Molognoni Daniele , Chiarolla Stefania , Cecconet Daniele , Callegari Arianna , Capodaglio Andrea G.
Published: October 2017

Development of renewable energy sources, efficient industrial processes, energy/chemicals recovery from wastes are research issues that are quite contemporary. Bioelectrochemical processes represent an eco-innovative technology for energy and resources recovery from both domestic and industrial wastewaters. The current study was conducted to: (i) assess bioelectrochemical treatability of industrial (dairy) wastewater by microbial fuel cells (MFCs); (ii) determine the effects of the applied organic loading rate (OLR) on MFC performance; (iii) identify factors responsible for reactor energy recovery losses (i.e. overpotentials). For this purpose, an MFC was built and continuously operated for 72 days, during which the anodic chamber was fed with dairy wastewater and the cathodic chamber with an aerated mineral solution. The study demonstrated that industrial effluents from agrifood facilities can be treated by bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) with >85% (average) organic matter removal, recovering power at an observed maximum density of 27 W m−3. Outcomes were better than in previous (shorter) analogous experiences, and demonstrate that this type of process could be successfully used for dairy wastewater with several advantages.
Pharmacogenetics of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease Dementia
Authors: de Oliveira Fabricio Ferreira , Chen Elizabeth Suchi , Smith Marilia Cardoso , Bertolucci Paulo Henrique Ferreira
Published: October 2017

Background:

While the angiotensin-converting enzyme degrades amyloid-β, angiotensinconverting
enzyme inhibitors (ACEis) may slow cognitive decline by way of cholinergic effects, by increasing
brain substance P and boosting the activity of neprilysin, and by modulating glucose homeostasis
and augmenting the secretion of adipokines to enhance insulin sensitivity in patients with Alzheimer’s
disease dementia (AD). We aimed to investigate whether ACE gene polymorphisms rs1800764
and rs4291 are associated with cognitive and functional change in patients with AD, while also taking
APOE haplotypes and anti-hypertensive treatment with ACEis into account for stratification.

Methods:

Consecutive late-onset AD patients were screened with cognitive tests, while their caregivers
were queried for functional and caregiver burden scores. Prospective pharmacogenetic correlations were
estimated for one year, considering APOE and ACE genotypes and haplotypes, and treatment with
ACEis.

Results:

For 193 patients, minor allele frequencies were 0.497 for rs1800764 – C (44.6% heterozygotes)
and 0.345 for rs4291 – T (38.9% heterozygotes), both in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Almost 94% of
all patients used cholinesterase inhibitors, while 155 (80.3%) had arterial hypertension, and 124 used
ACEis. No functional impacts were found regarding any genotypes or pharmacological treatment. Either
for carriers of ACE haplotypes that included rs1800764 – T and rs4291 – A, or for APOE4- carriers of
rs1800764 – T or rs4291 – T, ACEis slowed cognitive decline independently of blood pressure variations.
APOE4+ carriers were not responsive to treatment with ACEis.

Conclusion:

ACEis may slow cognitive decline for patients with AD, more remarkably for APOE4-
carriers of specific ACE genotypes.
Adnexal Masses in Premenopausal Reproductive Age Women
Authors: Liwan Henny , Hong Steve
Published: October 2017

Background:

Adnexal masses in premenopausal women are common reason for referral
to OB-GYN. The etiologies vary from non-gynecologic to gynecologic. Once the mass is determined
to be gynecologic in its origin, the gynecologist needs to predict if the mass is more likely to
be benign or malignant which could lead to a diagnostic dilemma.

Objective:

This article reviews different histologic type of ovarian tumors, its epidemiology, clinical
presentation, imaging appearance and ovarian tumor markers. Familiarity with these patterns
will help the clinician narrow the differential diagnosis thus facilitating further management.

Results:

The incidence of malignancy increases with age. Vast majority of adnexal masses that are
ovarian in etiology, 90.5% are benign. The first line imaging is usually a pelvic ultrasound. There
are imaging characteristics that could assist in categorizing a mass as more likely to be benign or
suspicious for malignancy. Furthermore, there are tumor markers that are approved by FDA to be
used as tools to evaluate adnexal masses.

Conclusion:

Adnexal masses in the reproductive age group demonstrate the greatest histologic
variance that is mostly benign. Clinical judgement is important to predict if a mass is likely to be
benign or malignant based on risk factors, imaging appearances, and tumor markers. If suspicion of
malignancy is high, referral to a gynecologic oncologist is warranted as this may improve patient’s
survival.
Overview of the Chromatographic and Mass Spectrometry Analytical Methods for Determination of Lamivudine in Biological Fluids
Authors: Chen Xuwang , Bu Fanlong , Li Rong , Yuan Guiyan , Wang Yanyan , Wang Benjie
Published: October 2017

Background:

Lamivudine was approved by Food and Drug Administration of the United States for the treatment of both HIV and HBV infection, which has been widely used as monotherapy or a component of combination therapy in clinics in many countries and nationalities.

Methods:

In this paper, the recent chromatographic and mass spectrometry analytical methods for the determination of lamivudine individually or combination with other drugs simultaneously were presented. These methods were widely applied in pharmacokinetics studies, bioequivalence studies, therapeutic drug monitoring studies, cell and animal experiments.

Conclusion:

The review paper might provide references for determining lamivudine in biological fluids, the intracorporal process of lamivudine, and the clinical practice by monitoring plasma concentration of lamivudine in the future.
Immunopharmacological Activity of Betulin in Inflammation-associated Carcinogenesis
Authors: Schwiebs Anja , Radeke Heinfried H.
Published: October 2017

This review highlights the multiple properties of the birch bark-derived pentacyclic triterpene betulin
with special focus on its pharmacological activity in cancer and inflammation. While less well characterized
compared to its hydrophilic derivative, betulinic acid, it exhibits potent anticancer activity described in many publications.
Indeed, underinvestigated are its immunomodulatory functions in inflammatory diseases that appeared to
enhance innate immune cell activities in an adjuvant-like fashion towards an interleukin-12 driven antitumor immunity.
Herein, we like to emphasize the simultaneous and dual function of betulin on the basis of recent investigations
of the tumor microenvironment and enlighten the potential use of betulin in the control of inflammation-associated
carcinogenesis.
The Introduction of Emotion Coaching as a Whole School Approach in a Primary Specialist Social Emotional and Mental Health Setting: Positive Outcomes for All
Authors: Gus Licette , Rose Janet , Gilbert Louise , Kilby Ryan
Published: October 2017

Background:

This paper describes the impact upon well-being of pupils, staff, and families following the introduction of Emotion Coaching as a whole school approach.

Objective:

This paper’s objective is an attempt to redress the lack of published evidence about the use of Emotion Coaching in schools and to highlight how a school has been able to adopt a humanistic relational approach in a climate in which behaviorist principles are dominant in schools.

Method:

A case study approach using mixed methods was used. Data were examined from an outcomes model perspective where the benefits and changes intended from Emotion Coaching were the starting point. Perspectives from pupils, staff, and families were gainedviainterviews and structured questionnaires alongside quantitative measures of pupil academic progress and staff and pupil behavior.

Results:

Results indicate that Emotion Coaching improved the pupil’s ability to regulate their feelings and had a positive effect upon teacher-pupil relationships. Family-school relationships were supported by the school’s use of and modeling of Emotion Coaching with families and the ethos of attunement and non-judgemental interactions implicit in Emotion Coaching. Emotion Coaching promoted an increase in shared emotional language and trust. Shared emotional language and trust were key in the development of both teacher-pupil and family-school relationships. There was an improvement in well-being in that: rates of pupil restraint decreased, pupils made better than expected academic progress, staff absenteeism reduced, and families reported improved family life.

Conclusion:

We conclude that Emotion Coaching contributes to the promotion of sustainable, holistic improvement in wellbeing for pupils, school staff, and families.
How Are We Doing?: Family-School Relationships and Children With Reactive Attachment Disorder
Authors: Taft Raol J. , Schlein Candace
Published: October 2017

Background:

Students with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) might benefit academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally from the establishment of effective, collaborative partnerships between home and school. Enhanced family interactions with schools might prove to promote positive outcomes in both home and school settings.

Objective:

In this article, we examine the level and quality of home and school participation between parents of children with RAD and school professionals within the context of the principles of effective partnerships: communication, professional competence, respect, commitment, equality, advocacy, and trust.

Method:

This study employed a qualitative methodology utilizing the narrative inquiry research tradition. In particular, we employed a semi–structured interview method, which allowed us to ask clarifying questions, further probe specific responses, and provide participants with an opportunity to elaborate on their stories of experience if they so desired.

Results:

Using Turnbullet al.'s(2015) seven principles of effective partnership, data from this study indicated that for these parents, families were not allowed to participate as equal partners, if at all, in the educational process.

Conclusion:

Results suggested that interactions with education professionals were often non-productive or adversarial and family input was often ignored. Effective partnerships were minimal to non-existent.
Electronic Health Physical Activity Behavior Change Intervention to Self-Manage Cardiovascular Disease: Qualitative Exploration of Patient and Health Professional Requirements (Preprint)
Authors: Walsh Deirdre MJ , Moran Kieran , Cornelissen Véronique , Buys Roselien , Cornelis Nils , Woods Catherine
Published: October 2017

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of premature death worldwide. International guidelines recommend routine delivery of all phases of cardiac rehabilitation. Uptake of traditional cardiac rehabilitation remains suboptimal, as attendance at formal hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation programs is low, with community-based cardiac rehabilitation rates and individual long-term exercise maintenance even lower. Home-based cardiac rehabilitation programs have been shown to be equally effective in clinical and health-related quality of life outcomes and yet are not readily available.

OBJECTIVE

Given the potential that home-based cardiac rehabilitation programs have, it is important to explore how to appropriately design any such intervention in conjunction with key stakeholders. The aim of this study was to engage with individuals with cardiovascular disease and other professionals within the health ecosystem to (1) understand the personal, social, and physical factors that inhibit or promote their capacity to engage with physical activity and (2) explore their technology competencies, needs, and wants in relation to an eHealth intervention.

METHODS

Fifty-four semistructured interviews were conducted across two countries. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Barriers to the implementation of PATHway were also explored specifically in relation to physical capability and safety as well as technology readiness and further mapped onto the COM-B model for future intervention design.

RESULTS

Key recommendations included collection of patient data and use of measurements, harnessing hospital based social connections, and advice to utilize a patient-centered approach with personalization and tailoring to facilitate optimal engagement.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, a multifaceted, personalizable intervention with an inclusively designed interface was deemed desirable for use among cardiovascular disease patients both by end users and key stakeholders. In-depth understanding of core needs of the population can aid intervention development and acceptability.
A Mobile Health App�Based Postnatal Educational Program (Home-but not Alone): Descriptive Qualitative Study (Preprint)
Authors: Shorey Shefaly , Yang Yen Yen , Dennis Cindy-Lee
Published: October 2017

BACKGROUND

The postnatal period poses numerous challenges for new parents. Various educational programs are available to support new parents during this stressful period. However, the usefulness of educational programs must be evaluated to ascertain their credibility.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this descriptive, qualitative study was to explore the views of parents of newborns with regard to the content and delivery of a mobile health (mHealth) app–based postnatal educational program.

METHODS

A qualitative semistructured interview guide was used to collect data from 17 participants who belonged to the intervention group of a randomized controlled trial. The intervention, a 4-week-long access to a mHealth app–based educational program, was evaluated. The interviews were conducted in English and at the participants’ homes. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist was used to report the findings.

RESULTS

The interviews revealed 4 main themes: (1) positive features of the mHealth app, (2) advice from midwives, (3) experiences gained from using the mHealth app, and (4) recommendations for the future. The participants evaluated the educational program to be a good source of information that was tailored to the local context. The different modes of delivery, including audio and video, accentuated the accessibility of information. The parents evaluated that the facilitator of the featured communication platform, a midwife, provided trustworthy advice. Belongingness to a virtual community beyond the hospital endowed the parents the confidence that they were not alone and were supported by other parents and health care professionals.

CONCLUSIONS

According to the parents, the mHealth app–based educational program was helpful in supporting a multi-ethnic sample of parents during the postnatal period. This insight indicates that the program could be implemented in a wide community of parents in the postnatal period. The helpfulness of the educational program is a testament of the potential benefits of using telemedicine among new parents postnatally. Resources can also be dedicated toward extending the duration of access to the app beyond 1 month and developing relevant content for parents across the perinatal period.
Targeted identification of adverse events in coronary artery disease patients based on patient-reported outcomes
Authors: Heiskanen Jari , Tolppanen Anna-Maija , Martikainen Janne , Hartikainen Juha , Miettinen Heikki , Hippeläinen Mikko , Roine Risto P
Published: October 2017

Aim:
Can focusing the adverse events search to patients with poor patient-reported outcome help in targeting adverse event detection?
Patients & methods:
Coronary artery revascularization patients of the Kuopio University Hospital from June 2012 to August 2014 categorized into those with clinically significant improvement (15D score change ≥0.015, n = 81) or deterioration (change ≥-0.015, n = 64) in post-intervention health-related quality of life.
Results:
Major complications (27 vs 9%, p = 0.004) or post-intervention infections (16 vs 5%, p = 0.031) were more common among those with deteriorated score. They also tended to have more cardiovascular (19 vs 9%, p = 0.071) and minor complications (16 vs 7%, p = 0.118).
Conclusion:
Patient-reported outcomes may potentially help in targeting the adverse events search so that a larger number of adverse events can be identified for efficient learning from them.
Variation in adherence to medications across the healthcare system in two comparative effectiveness research cohorts
Authors: Franklin Jessica M , Donneyong Macarius M , Desai Rishi J , Markson Leona , Girman Cynthia J , McKay Caroline , Patel Mehul D , Mavros Panagiotis , Schneeweiss Sebastian
Published: October 2017

Aim:
To assess heterogeneity in adherence to medications in two example comparative effectiveness research studies.
Patients & methods:
We analyzed data from commercially insured patients initiating a statin or anticoagulant during 2005–2012. We calculated the cross-validated R
2
from a series of hierarchical linear models to assess variation in 1-year adherence.
Results:
There was less heterogeneity in adherence in the statin cohort compared with the anticoagulant cohort, where patient characteristics explained 7.2% of variation in adherence, and adding therapy and provider characteristics increased the proportion of variation explained to 8.0 and 8.5%, cumulatively. Random effects provided essentially no explanatory power, even in the statin cohort with large numbers of patients clustered within each pharmacy, prescriber and provider.
Conclusion:
The dependence of adherence on the healthcare system was stronger when the healthcare system influenced treatment choice and patient access to medication and when indications for treatment were strong.
Imaginería, ritualidad y poder en la plástica teotihuacana: una nueva aproximación a los conjuntos icónicos
Authors: Valdez Bubnova Tatiana
Published: October 2017

Recientes descubrimientos arqueológicos en Teotihuacan permiten contrastar el potencial explicativo de las clasificaciones de la plástica disponibles con la evidencia reciente, y trascender la descripción formal, con interpretaciones del contenido sustentadas en estudios internos. Al incorporar descubrimientos recientes se presenta una clasificación temática de las imágenes visuales teotihuacanas y sus correlatos formales, en la cual se integran nuevos hallazgos. Las muestras se consideran como parte de un discurso religioso-ritual y cívico. Se argumenta que se trata de la expresión de una narrativa que se desarrolla en torno a tres ejes básicos: el culto, el mito y la identidad social. Cuando es posible, se señalan relaciones funcionales entre la imaginería y el urbanismo y se incluyen aspectos contextuales y temporales.
De Asia a la Nueva España vía Europa: lacas asiáticas y achinadas en el siglo XVIII
Authors: Ocaña Ruiz Sonia I.
Published: October 2017

Este texto plantea que en los siglos XVII y XVIII, los novohispanos se familiarizaron en los ámbitos privados con los objetos “chinos” y “achinados” mediante un proceso común de “domesticación”, que involucró obras asiáticas, así como novohispanas y europeas. El estudio se concentra tanto en la producción como en el consumo de las lacas chinas y achinadas del siglo XVIII. Se presta especial atención a los ejemplares achinados de técnica europea, así como al papel que desempeñaron los biombos en el fenómeno del maque achinado. A partir de un análisis documental, así como de algunos objetos conservados, se demuestra que el fenómeno del maque achinado de ningún modo se restringió a las lacas asiáticas y las novohispanas de técnica prehispánica, sino que tuvo una importante y hasta ahora poco estudiada diversificación en cuanto a técnicas, centros de producción y precios.
Board gender diversity and CSR in Lebanese banks: Rhetoric or action?
Authors: Chidiac El Hajj Mireille , Abou Moussa Richard , Chidiac May
Published: October 2017

This paper studies the lack of gender diversity at the board level in Lebanese banks following Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) principles. It also addresses women’s reactions and behaviours towards this issue. The employed methodology is multi-modal and uses both quantitative and qualitative tools. The data was collected via survey and semi-structured interviews from 42 managers in 21 banks, which according to their websites, follow the CSR principles. The quantitative data revealed the relevant trends, while the qualitative data provided comprehensive explanations and in-depth understanding of the related issues. The findings of this paper shed light on the personal disappointment women interviewees felt about their lack of progress as well as their inability to assume a place on the board. They also address the contribution of the four main causes of board-level gender discrimination in Lebanese banks, namely the limitations imposed by the patriarchal culture, CEO succession planning, Human Resource (HR) diversity management practices, as well as those due to women themselves. They found that women react to these challenges by relying on their emotional intelligence. However, they tend to overestimate themselves for self-protection in the male dominated financial world. This study is not without its limitations, but it recommends further research concerning related policies and strategies of the administrative boards, legislating entities, and controlling entities, such as the Central Bank of Lebanon (Banque du Liban, BDL), in order to explicitly explore strategies that affect gender discrimination. This study creates value for banks that are genuinely interested in implementing CSR in order to benefit their corporate governance (CG) practices as well as the society at large.
Choice of performance measures in performance-vested equity compensation and future performance
Authors: Wu Wan-Ting
Published: October 2017

This paper examines the choice of performance measures in performance-vested (p-v) equity compensation and its relation with future performance. Based on a sample of the S&P 500 industrial firms which granted p-v equity compensation to executives during 2006-2008, this paper presents several interesting results. While annual bonuses and p-v equity compensation both link payout to achievement of performance targets, firms use performance measures in different ways for these two types of compensation. Compared to annual bonuses, p-v equity compensation features fewer numbers of performance measures and a higher tendency to use market measures. The results of logistic regressions show that consistent with the Informativeness Hypothesis, the likelihood of a performance measure’s usage in p-v equity compensation decreases with the relative noise of the measure. The choice of performance measures is also associated with financial performance, business complexity, and growth opportunities. Importantly, I find that firms choosing cash or non-financial measures for p-v equity compensation have worse operating and stock performance in subsequent years and firms using a sales measure for p-v equity compensation have better operating performance subsequently. This paper provides useful insights into academia and practice on the design and consequence of p-v equity compensation.
Dividend policy and ownership structure: A study of Russian dual-class stock companies.
Authors: Berezinets Irina , Ilina Yulia , Alekseeva Liudmila
Published: October 2017

This paper explores the relationship between ownership structure and dividend policy in Russian public companies with dual-class shares. The sample includes all companies issuing both ordinary (voting) and preferred (non-voting) shares traded on the Russian Trading System (RTS) in the period of 2003-2009. Using panel data and employing both linear and nonlinear regression modeling approach, we tested the relationship between ownership structure and dividend payout. One of the major conclusions is the existence of a negative relationship between the dividend payout on ordinary shares and institutional ownership, as well as between dividend payout on ordinary shares and offshore ownership. Unlike for ordinary shares, ownership structure is not related to dividend payments on preferred shares. Dividend policy on preferred shares is, instead, essentially related to a company’s performance.
Duties and responsibilities of the nominating committee
Authors: Soana Maria Gaia , Crisci Giuseppe
Published: October 2017

Many corporate governance codes and reports emphasize the importance of creating nominating committees within boards. Focusing on banks, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (2015) recommends that boards of directors should create an internal nomination/human resources/governance committee. In this context, we have analysed the presence and main characteristics of this committee in the 30 systemically important banks (G-SIBs). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper describing in depth the activities of the nominating committees. Our analysis shows that the nominating committee is often also a “governance committee”. Its main responsibilities towards the full board of directors usually include identifying individuals qualified to become board members, guiding the board in its annual review, reviewing succession plans and, occasionally, monitoring education programs for directors. Most charters also entrust the appointment committee with the role of identifying members, and/or reviewing the composition, of board committees and, in a minority of cases, reviewing the suitability of the charters adopted by each board committee. The nominating committee is also frequently required to oversee for the board corporate governance policies and occasionally required to review policies relating to public/strategic issues, relationships with external entities affecting the bank’s reputation and ESG matters. Many charters also entrust the appointment committee with reviewing/appointing directors to the boards of important subsidiaries (9 out of 29) and reviewing/appointing managers (14 out of 29). The nominating committees of G-SIBs are primarily composed of independent directors. The male gender is the most represented. In 2016, the effective average number of meetings of nominating committees in was seven.
Structural and optical characterizations of BaSnO3 nanopowder synthesized by aqueous sol-gel method
Authors: Kumar Upendra , Ansaree Jawed , Upadhyay Shail
Published: October 2017

Precursor gel for preparation of nanocrystalline BaSnO3 powder was
synthesised by aqueous sol-gel method using Ba(OH)2 ? 8H2O and Na2SnO3 ?
3H2O as raw materials. Thermogravimetric and differential scanning
calorimetric analyses of the raw materials, precursor gel and a mechanical
mixture of raw materials were carried out to understand the mechanisms
involved in the formation of the single phase BaSnO3. Based on the thermal
analysis, the precursor gel was calcined at 400, 800 and 1400?C for 4 h to
obtain pure phase BaSnO3 powder. X-ray diffraction pattern of the powder
calcined at 1400?C was refined for atomic coordinate, lattice parameter (a
= 4.1117(2)?) and occupancies using Rietveld refinement analysis. The
average crystallite size calculated from the Scherrer formula is ~35 nm.
Transmission electron micrograph of the powders confirmed that particle
sizes are in range of 20-40 nm. The phase purity of the powder calcined at
1400?C was further examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.
Optical properties of the BaSnO3 powder were studied by UV-visible
absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The band gap energy (3.09 eV)
obtained from the Tauc plot confirmed the semiconductor nature of the
powder. The CIE coordinate corresponding to PL spectrum exhibited an intense
emission in the visible region.
A novel green nonaqueous sol-gel process for preparation of partially stabilized zirconia nanopowder
Authors: Feng Guo , Jiang Weihui , Liu Jianmin , Zhang Quan , Wu Qian , Miao Lifeng
Published: October 2017

A novel green nonaqueous sol-gel process was developed to prepare 3mol%
Y2O3-doped ZrO2 nanopowder from zirconium oxychloride and without need for
washing of the obtained particles. It was shown that highly dispersive
nanometer-scale zirconia powder with the particle size of 15-25 nm and BET
surface area of 41.2m2/g can be prepared. The sintering behaviour was also
investigated. Density of the translucent body sintered at 1400?C is 98.7 ?
0.3% of its theoretical density and the surface and cross section areas are
dense without holes or other defects. The bending strength of the sintered
sample is 928 ? 64MPa.
Small-angle scattering investigation of silica xerogels and sonogels prepared with ionic liquid pyridinium tetrafluoroborate
Authors: Almásy László , Putz Ana-Maria , Len Adél , Plestil Josef , Savii Cecilia
Published: October 2017

Silica matrices were prepared via acid catalysed sol-gel processing augmented
with sonocatalysis. As silica precursors, a mixture of tetra-functionalized
alkoxide (TMOS) and three-functionalized alkoxide methyl-trimethoxysilane
(MTMS) were employed. Ionic liquid N-butyl-3-methylpyridinium
tetrafluoroborate ([bmPy][BF4]), was used in various proportions, aiming to
catalyse the sol-gel reactions, and to influence the mesoporous silica
materials properties, serving as pore template. Small-angle neutron (SANS)
and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) techniques were used to explore the
xerogels and sonogels microstructure evolution as a function of the IL/Si
molar ratio. The results show a strong increase of the primary particle size
under the influence of the ionic liquid. Ultrasonic agitation leads to
further size increase by ca. 10%.
Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy for the diagnosis of several malignant tissue samples
Authors: Ghasemi F. , Parvin P. , Reif J. , Abachi S. , Mohebbifar M. R. , Razzaghi M. R.
Published: October 2017

Here, the authors have utilized laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to distinguish cancerous tissues from normal ones. For this purpose, the plasma emission spectra of the normal and cancerous tissues taken from four different organs of interest, i.e, breast, colon, larynx, and tongue are analyzed via the excitation of a pulsed Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (ND: YAG) laser at 1064 nm. Results show that the abundance of the trace elements such as Ca, Mg, and Na trace elements are elevated in the cancerous tissues with respect to normal ones. In addition, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy and quadrupole-mass spectroscopy are employed to support the findings given by LIBS. Furthermore, the plasma characteristics such as temperature and electron density are probed by data processing of the plasma spectra at local thermal equilibrium condition as an alternative technique to discriminate between the normal and malignant tissues. It is shown that more energetic plasma is created on the neoplastic specimens resulting in higher electron density and plasma temperature due to the corresponding intense atomic/ionic characteristic emissions of species. The simplicity and low cost of processes benefits the physicians to encourage the clinical application of LIBS in near future.
Menneskerettigheter og Den russisk-ortodokse kirke: opportunisme, autoritarianisme eller ortodoks nasjonalisme?
Authors: Haugen Hans Morten
Published: October 2017

Human Rights and the Russian Orthodox Church: Opportunism, Authoritarianism or Orthodox Nationalism?The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) as a traditional majority church enjoys a privileged position in the Russian society. The current Russian regime has strengthened ROC’s position, and the alliance between the two has strengthened the emphasis on traditional values. With emphasis on the very nature of Orthodox Christianity, the article seeks to explain variations in ROC’s understanding of and receptiveness of human rights, emphasizing rights that protect certain groups of people, including refugees and minorities. Four explanations are identified: national heritage; whether new minorities are considered a threat to this legacy; how the church understands its relationship with the state; and the organizational structure of the church, influenced by the prevailing political culture. ROC has a self-understanding of being the keeper of the Russian national heritage, and is skeptical of influences other than those coming from the tradition and state. Relevant orthodox theological concepts are introduced as explanations: symphony (harmonious relationship between state and church), pomestnost (national embeddedness), sobornost (the self as part of the collective) and the teosis (also referred to as “bogochelovek”, human divinity).
Implantação de um modelo de descentralização de auditoria de contas hospitalares em um hospital de grande porte na região sul do Brasil
Authors: Da Silva Simone Brum , Gonçalves Nathalia Santos , Santos Daniela Copetti
Published: October 2017

A auditoria é uma ferramenta de grande importância, no controle e gestão de processos em instituições de saúde, objetiva avaliar a qualidade dos processos de trabalho da assistência do serviço e os custos decorrentes da prestação da mesma. Ela colabora não só com a instituição, mas com os clientes, fornecedores e as próprias equipes de trabalho que desenvolvem esse serviço especializado, incluindo os profissionais da saúde, entre eles os enfermeiros. Na prática a auditoria atua de forma centralizada, desconectada com a origem dos registros, distante dos atores que produzem as ações, sejam elas de ordem financeira ou da qualidade da assistência. Análises feitas por uma equipe multidisciplinar visualizando as dificuldades encontradas em uma instituição hospitalar de grande porte na região de Porto Alegre- Rio Grande do Sul, tanto na auditoria assistencial, como na gestão de custos, motivaram a criar um modelo descentralizado de auditoria em saúde. Através desse modelo foi implementado extensões da auditoria nos setores ordenadores de despesas, possibilitando as revisões dos prontuários in loco, na origem, quebrando paradigmas culturais e financeiros da instituição, como revisões nos processos de trabalho e troca de saberes com as equipes, estreitando laços entre os setores de auditoria e assistência ao paciente, apresentando uma conta hospitalar muito mais transparente e fidedigna. Esse modelo além de ser uma atividade inovadora e única no Brasil, contribuiu para a diminuição das glosas, tornando-se uma ferramenta fundamental e indispensável para mensurar a qualidade do processo de trabalho da assistência de enfermagem e seu impacto econômico na instituição.
Parking Provision for CBD Area of Pabna Town in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Atikur , Prothan Jakirul Islam Jony , Islam Marazul , Pramanik Ashrafuzzaman
Published: October 2017

Pabna is the most ancient city of Bangladesh having a parking problem in CBD area. This study is mainly focused on the demand and supply of parking system in CBD area. The deficiency of parking supply and illegal occupancy of the traffic lane with parking has become a common practice. An existing parking accommodation, parking demand, parking turnover, average parking duration, parking types and parking index are analyzed on the base of modified patrol survey. The parking space inventory survey helps to identify the present parking spaces, number of parking bays, vacant land for the multistoried parking facility. Both on-street and off-street parking have surveyed to find out the actual measurement of the demand and supply of parking. It should be mentioned that the feasibility of a multistoried parking facility is also proposed to shift the existing on-street parking of CBD.
Performance of Recycled Aggregate Concrete after Washing Treatment of Aggregates
Authors: Triantafyllou Dimitrios , Ahmed Ash , Kamau John
Published: October 2017

Retrieval and reuse of crushed concrete aggregates (CCA) in the concrete industry is a common practice that has gained popularity due to environmental concerns that identify the saturation of landfill areas as a harmful and costly by-product of construction, and has therefore become a necessity for a sustainable, more well-coordinated effort towards improving concrete preparation. This research examines a natural method of CCA-washing that aims to effectively segregate contaminants from healthy material by allowing CCAs to sit outdoors for a period of time thus being subjected to several rain-washing cycles. Eleven mixes were prepared, a control mix with 100% natural/virgin concrete aggregates (NCA/VCA) and ten mixes with CCA content varying between 10-100% replacement. Findings showed that even up to 100% substitution a remarkable reduction of only 15% in compressive strength was observed, with no significant change or effect on the consistency; thus conferring potentially significant sustainability implications.
Simulations of meteorological fields in the Amazon and Northeast Brazilian in the fall in an El Niño year
Authors: Lucas Alanderson Firmino de , Silva Cláudio Moisés Santos e
Published: October 2017

The warming in the Tropical Pacific Ocean causes changes in large scale circulation of the atmosphere, causing climatic anomalies in several regions of the globe. Thus, several sensitivity tests have been used in regional climate models with the aim of improving the representativeness these models. This study aimed to compare two sets of simulations with the same parameterizations, one with a grid spacing of 50 km and the other of 25 km, in addition to evaluating the performance of the simulations of different spatial resolutions with large scale data from the ERA-Interim. It was analyzed the average of the four synoptic timetables of the near-surface temperature, divergence, vorticity, vertical velocity, wind speed and direction, and the average of the total precipitation of 00UTC, to compare with the data of the TRMM satellite at the same time, both in an Amazon region and in the Brazilian Northeast (NEB) in the fall of a year of intense El Niño. The simulations were carried out with the version 4 of the Regional Model RegCM for May 1998. The parameterization of convective cumulus best represents the phenomena in the Amazon region, and for the Northeast, Brazilian is the of Grell in May. It is always necessary knowledge about the physics model can describe the phenomena of interest before applying improvement methods.
PERBEDAAN PENGARUH MODEL STUDENT TEAMS ACHIEVEMENT DIVISION (STAD) DAN NUMBERED HEADS TOGETHER (NHT) TERHADAP HASIL BELAJAR MATEMATIKA SISWA KELAS V SD
Authors: Halimah Nur
Published: October 2017

This study aimed to determine the significance of the influence differences between the use of Student Teams Achievement Division (STAD) model and Numbered Heads Together (NHT) model on the 5th grade mathematics learning outcomes in SD Negeri Sumberejo 01 and SD Negeri Sumberejo 02. The type of research used was a quasi experiment with an unpredictable Pretest Posttest design. The subjects of the study were students of grade 5 in SD N Sumberejo 01 as experimental class 1 and grade V SD N of Sumberejo 02 as experiment class 2. The variables in this study consisted of independent variables, namely Student Teams Achievement Division (STAD) model, Numbered Heads Together (NHT) model and dependent variable was learning outcome. Data collection was done by test technique. The data analysis technique used T test with Independent T test Sample applied to posttest value. Result of t test of posttest value of experiment group 1 and experiment  group 2 showed that the value was in significance 0,019 ˂ 0,05, because the significance ˂ 0,05 hence Ho rejected and Ha accepted with conclusion there was significant difference between the model of STAD and NHT to the result of learning of mathematics at student grade 5 in SD Negeri Sumberejo 01 and SD Sumberejo 02. The significant difference in mathematics learning outcomes was supported by the difference average of two research samples, where the average of learning outcomes on the application of STAD learning model was 77.89, While the average of learning outcomes on the application of NHT learning model was 85.53. This meant that the learning treatment with NHT model has different significant impact compared to the STAD learning model on mathematics learning outcomes of grade 5 SD Sumberejo 01 and SD N Sumberejo 02 Semester II of 2016/2017academic year.

Kata Kunci : Student Teams Achievement Division (STAD), Numbered Heads Together (NHT), Learning Outcomes, Mathematics, 5th grade primary school students
PEMANFAATAN LINGKUNGAN SEBAGAI SUMBER PEMBELAJARAN MATA PELAJARAN IPS
Authors: Widiastuti Eko Heri
Published: October 2017

Mata pelajaran IPS merupakan suatu mata pelajaran yang menggunakan pendekatan terpadu yang didalamnya memadukan empat bidang kajian yaitu ekonomi, sosiologi, geografi dan sejarah. Pembejaran terpadu dimaksudkan untuk memberikan pengalaman yang bermakna kepada peserta didik dan dalam penyampaiannya guru memilih tema atau topik tertentu, pendekatan pembelajaran ini memungkinkan peserta didik baik secara individual maupun kelompok aktif mencari, menggali dan menemukan konsep serta prinsip secara holistik dan otentik. Cara guru mengemas pembelajaran sangat berpengaruh pada kebermaknaan pengalaman bagi para peserta didik. Lingkungan sekitar sebagai sumber belajar sangat menguntungkan bagi proses pembelajaran IPS, hal ini disebabkan karena sumber belajar dekat dengan siswa, sehingga siswa lebih mudah dalam proses memahami sumber belajar. Lingkungan mampu  memberikan sebuah gambaran yang sifatnya holistik dan autentik, kondisinya sangat heterogenitas, sehingga menunjukkan suatu sumber pembelajaran yang memerlukan keterpaduan antar materi pembelajaran. Potensi lingkungan ini bisa berupa lingkungan sosial, ekonomi, budaya dan geografi. Mengkaitkan kelas dengan lingkungan masyarakat memberikan banyak kesempatan kepada siswa untuk mempelajari kemampuan dasar untuk melakukan tindakan (action) di masyarakat dalam bentuk partisipasi. 
PENGGUNAAN ALGA SIAPA-AKU PADA MATERI KERAGAMAN BENTUK MUKA BUMI UNTUK MENINGKATKAN AKTIVITAS DAN HASIL BELAJAR SISWA KELAS VIIB SMP NEGERI 2 MERBAU MATARAM
Authors: Widayati Rahayu Dwi Mastuti
Published: October 2017

Tujuan penelitian adalah untuk mengetahui peningkatan aktivitas dan hasil belajar siswa kelas VIIB SMP Negeri 2 Merbau Mataram pada materi keragaman bentuk muka bumi  melalui alat peraga Siapa Aku. Metode yang digunakan mengacu model dari Hopkins yaitu dimulai dari merasakan adanya masalah, menyusun perencanaan, melaksanakan tindakan, melakukan observasi dan refleksi, kemudian melakukan rencana ulang, melaksanakan tindakan, observasi dan refleksi demikian seterusnya. Instrumen pengumpulan data melalui observasi dan tes. Data yang diperoleh berupa data kualitatif dan kuantitatif dianalisis dengan menggunakan analisis deskriptif komparatif. Variabel penelitian adalah aktivitas dan hasil belajar. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa digunakannya alat peraga Siapa-Aku pada materi keragaman bentuk muka bumi dapat meningkatkan aktivitas dan hasil belajar siswa kelas VIIB SMP Negeri 2 Merbau Mataram Tahun 2015. Pada kondisi prasiklus ketuntasan  aktivitas belajar siswa adalah 25% (Belum tuntas), pada siklus I adalah 69,44% (Tuntas) dan pada siklus II adalah 86,11% (Tuntas). Peningkatan aktivitas belajar pada siklus I sebesar 44,44%,  siklus I ke siklus II sebesar 16,67%, sehingga total peningkatan mencapai 61,11%. Untuk ketuntasan hasil belajar siswa kelas VIIB pada kondisi prasiklus adalah 5,56% (Secara klasikal belum tuntas), Siklus I 27,78%(Secara klasikal belum tuntas) dan siklus II 86,11% (Secara kalsikal sudah tuntas). Peningkatan dari prasiklus ke siklus I sebesar 22,22%, dari siklus I ke siklus II sebesar 58,33%, Secara keseluruhan peningkatan ketuntasan hasil belajar siswa mencapai 80,55%.  Simpulan dalam penelitian adalah aktivitas dan hasil belajar siswa kelas VIIB pada materi keragaman bentuk muka bumi mengalami peningkatan setelah menggunakan alat peraga Siapa-Aku. 
DESKRIPSI KEMAMPUAN BERPIKIR KRITIS SISWA KELAS VII SMP DALAM MENYELESAIKAN MASALAH MATEMATIKA MELALUI TIPE SOAL OPEN-ENDED PADA MATERI PECAHAN
Authors: Crismasanti Yoseffin Dhian , Yunianta Tri Nova Hasti
Published: October 2017

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan kemampuan berpikir kritis siswa dalam memecahkan masalah matematika melalui tipe soal open-ended pada materi pecahan kelas VII SMP Negeri 2 Tuntang. Penelitian ini merupakan  penelitian  deskriptif  kualitatif.  Penentuan subjek dalam penelitian  ini menggunakan teknik purposive sampling yaitu 3 siswa kelas VII dengan kemampuan matematika tinggi. Berdasarkan analisis data, dapat disimpulkan bahwa subjek FD memiliki kemampuan berpikir kritis yang konsisten karena pada ketiga soal yang diberikan subjek FD mampu melalui 5 tahapan berpikir kritis dengan baik yaitu pada tahap strategies and tactics. Subjek AB pada soal nomor 1 melalui  tahapan strategies and tactics. Namun pada soal nomor 2 hanya mencapai tahap advanced clarification dan soal nomor 3 pada tahap basic support. Subjek EK memiliki kemampuan berpikir kritis pada tahap basic support pada soal nomor 1 dan 3, sedangkan pada soal nomor 2 hanya mencapai pada tahap advanced clarification. Hasil-hasil ini menunjukkan adanya perbedaan kemampuan berpikir kritis siswa pada level pendidikan  dan kemampuan matematika yang sama. Tulisan ini diharapkan dapat memberi sumbangan pengetahuan bagi guru tentang kemampuan berpikir kritis siswa SMP dalam memecahkan masalah matematika melalui tipe soal open-ended pada materi pecahan dan bagi siswa untuk lebih meningkatkan kemampuan berpikr kritis.
Hegemonia e Impérios Orientais em Heródoto
Authors: Araujo Matheus Treuk Medeiros de
Published: October 2017

A palavra grega ἡγεμονίη figura algumas vezes nas Histórias de Heródoto. Em muitos desses casos, o termo é usado para designar realidades helênicas, em especial o comando militar da aliança contra os persas durante as Guerras Médicas. Não obstante, um conjunto igualmente relevante de ocorrências diz respeito aos impérios do Oriente Próximo, denotando os reinos persa ou medo, algo inusitado na Grécia clássica. Considerando o desenvolvimento semântico do vocábulo e, ademais, a ausência de estudos significativos sobre a ἡγεμονίη em contextos orientais, necessário se faz um estudo sistemático de seus usos em Heródoto. As conclusões sobre o significado e alcance do termo nesse período refletem as circunstâncias históricas da composição herodotiana, bem como as intenções específicas do autor, trazendo possíveis balizas ao exame de seu desenvolvimento subsequente.