bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Meloxicam in Russia: 20 years together
Authors: Karateev A E , Nasonov E N
Published: January 2017

Meloxicam is one of the most commonly used representatives of the group of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed in our country. It has been used in Russian clinical practice for 20 years and established itself as an effective and rather safe analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications. During this period almost 48 million packages of brand-name meloxicam have been sold; millions of people in our country have been successfully treated with this drug. During this period, there have been at least 29 Russian clinical trials of brand-name meloxicam, which covered 3,736 patients. In all the trials, meloxicam has demonstrated a good therapeutic potential (a substantial improvement in more than 75% of patients) and a low incidence of side effects, which averaged 6.4% (30.5% in the control groups). The good tolerability of brand-name meloxicam (Movalis) is confirmed by a total of 120 spontaneous reports of the adverse events due to this drug, which were sent to the Federal Service for Health Supervision in December 2008 to July 2015 (over the last 7 years). This number seems negligible (nearly 30 million packages) if the amount of meloxicam sold over the period is taken into account. Extensive experience in clinical practice with this drug and a wide series of national clinical trials support the good reputation of brand-name meloxicam among Russian physicians and patients. This review briefly gives the data of Russian and main foreign clinical trials of the therapeutic effect and safety of meloxicam.
Anti-Müllerian hormone as an indicator of reproductive health in women with obesity and concomitant polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Durmanova A K , Otarbaev N K
Published: January 2017

Aim. To investigate the ovarian reserve and a relationship between the level of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) with that of hormones in reproductive-aged women with abdominal obesity concurrent with and without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Subjects and methods. A total of 157 women aged 18 to 45 years with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30 kg/m2 were examined. The 157 women with abdominal obesity were conventionally divided into 2 groups: 1) 20 with PCOS and 2) 137 without this condition. Morphometric parameters, the indicators of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and the levels of hormones, including AMH, were studied. Results. The patients with PCOS had statistically significantly elevated AMH levels (11.26±2.63 ng/ml; p
Efficiency of interferon therapy in patients with essential thrombocythemia or polycythemia vera
Authors: Sokolova M A , Turkina A G , Melikian A L , Sudarikov A B , Treglazova S A , Shukhov O A , Gemdzhian E G , Abdullaev A О , Kovrigina A M , Misyurin A V , Pliskunova Yu V , Ivanova V L , Moiseeva T N
Published: January 2017

Aim. To evaluate the efficiency of interferon (IFN) therapy in patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) and polycythemia vera (PV). Subjects and methods. A total of 61 patients (41 with ET and 20 with PV) were examined. Prior to study enrolment, 44 (72%) patients with ET or PV received one or other therapy (aspirin was not taken into account). The mean Jak2V617F mutant allele at baseline was 23% (6—54%) in the patients with ET and 40% (11—88%) in those with PV. The median time from diagnosis to enrollment was 49 months. Results. The paper presents the clinical and molecular findings of long-term INF-α therapy in patients with ET or PV. The median follow-up was 52 months. Recombinant IFN-α2 showed its ability to induce complete hematologic remission (ET (76%), PV (70%)) and a complete molecular response. 22 (69%) out of 32 patients were noted to have a smaller number of cells with the Jak2V617F mutation. In the patients with PV and in those with ET, the relative reduction in the proportion of cells with the Jak2V617F mutant gene averaged 85% and 56% of the baseline values, respectively. There was a reduction in the proportion of cells expressing the Jak2V617F mutation in both the ET (from 12 to 2.2%; p=0.001) and PV (from 32.7% to 3.2%) groups (р=0.001). Ten (31%) patients achieved a deep molecular remission (≤2% Jak2V617F allele); among them, 5 patients were not found to have Jak2V617F mutation. The obtained molecular response remained in 7 of the 10 patients untreated for 11 to 86 months. The long-term treatment with IFN-α led to normalization of the morphological pattern of bone marrow in 5 of the 7 PV or ET patients. Conclusion. Significant molecular remissions achieved by therapy with recombinant interferon-α2 confirm the appropriateness of this treatment option in in the majority of patients with ET or PV.
A clinical case of long-term macitentan therapy in a female patient with idiopathic pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Arkhipova O A , Martynyuk T V , Chazova I E
Published: January 2017

In late 2015, the Russian Federation registered the new non-selective endothelin receptor antagonist macitentan for the pathogenetic therapy of pulmonary arterial hypertension. The given clinical case demonstrates the possibility of using macitentan in a female patient with idiopathic pulmonary hypertension and its ability to affect the clinical, hemodynamic, and functional status of patients and to slow down the progression of the disease.
Water Security and International Law
Authors: Kuokkanen Tuomas
Published: January 2017

The article explores water security from an international law point of view. The article argues that in order to better understand water security it is important to focus on the function of international water law. Even though water security is a relatively recent concept it was latent in the process of the evolution of international water law. 

 

In addition, the article examines the relationship between man and water from the point of view of water security. The article seeks to answer the question: how does international water law deal with that relationship? Is water only an object to be utilized and protected or has the relationship become more complex and ambivalent through the occurrence of various extreme events.

 

Furthermore, the article places the concept of water security into a historiographical and substantive context. It explores three broad approaches by international law to water issues: general international law, the regulatory approach and the management approach. The article argues that they are all relevant to water security.

 

Finally, the article seeks to demonstrate that even though water security has emerged as a new notion, this does not mean that international law does not include rules and principles relevant for water security. Indeed, many general principles of international law are applicable in the context of water security. In addition, specific regulations dealing with water quantity and quality issues have been developed in international environmental law, although they are not necessarily labelled as water security rules. Moreover, various risk management methods have been elaborated to deal with water-related disasters and crises. Reciprocally, water security arguments are not necessarily new notions but rather reflect already existing concepts and principles.
Analysis of patient load data from the 2003 Cricket World Cup in South Africa
Authors: Kilian A , Stretch RA
Published: January 2017

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the patient presentation data for spectators attending the opening ceremony and all the 2003 Cricket World Cup
matches played in South Africa in order to provide organisers with the basis of a sound medical care plan for mass gatherings of a similar nature. Methods. During the 2003 Cricket World Cup, data were collected on the spectators presenting to the medical facilities
during the opening ceremony and the 42 matches played in South Africa. Data included the total number of patient presentations and the category of illness or injury. This information was used to determine the venue accommodation rate and the patient presentation rate.
The illness/injury data were classified into the following categories: (i) heat-related illness; (ii) blisters/scrapes/ bruises; (iii) headache; (iv) fractures/sprains/lacerations;
(v) eye injuries; (vi) abdominal pain; (vii) insect bite; (viii) allergy-related illness; (ix) cardiac disorders, chest pains; (x) pulmonary disorder/shortness of breath; (xi) syncope;
(xii) weakness/dizziness; (xiii) alcohol/drug-related conditions; (xiv) seizure; (xv) cardiac arrest; (xvi) obstetric/ gynaecological disorder; and (xvii) other. Results. The total number of patients who presented to the medical stations was 2 118, with a mean of 50 (range
14 - 91) injuries per match. The mean for the patient presentation rate was 4/1 000 spectators. The most frequently encountered illness or injury was headache (954 patients,
45%), followed by fractures, sprains and lacerations (351 patients, 16%). South African Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 18 (2) 2006: pp. 52-56
Get the message out!
Authors: Lambert M
Published: January 2017

Get the message out!
Effect of a prevention programme on the incidence of rugby injuries among 15- and 16-year-old schoolboys
Authors: Erasmus H , Spamer EJ
Published: January 2017

Objective. The primary aim of this study was to determine the effect of an injury prevention programme on the incidence of rugby injuries (overall, intrinsic and extrinsic
injuries) among 15- and 16-year-old schoolboys, over a 2- year period. A secondary aim was to identify the percentage of intrinsic rugby injuries associated with a previous
injury history.
Design. A non-equivalent experimental-control group design with multiple post-tests.
Subjects. A- and B-team rugby players (N =120) from 2 secondary schools in the North West province of South Africa.
Intervention. The injury prevention programme was planned according to the physical, motor, biomechanical and postural status of all players. Players in the experimental
group received exercises to improve biomechanical and postural deficits identified, as well as drills to address shortcomings in speed, agility, and explosive power.
Main outcome measures. Rugby injuries were screened and injury data collected through the use of weekly sportsmedicine clinics.
Results. Differences and changes in extrinsic injury incidence in this study could not be attributed to the effect of the prevention programme, and as a result injury trends
related to overall injury incidence were inconsistent when the matching experimental and control groups were compared. However, the prevention programme did have a
positive effect on the intrinsic injury incidence of both the 15- (d = 1.61) and 16-year-old (d = 0.83) groups during the study period. During the second season there were no
intrinsic injuries of a previous nature among both the experimental groups (0%), while in contrast intrinsic injuries of a previous nature still amounted to a significant fraction
in both the control groups.
Conclusion. The present intervention programme did not have a practically significant effect on the incidence of overall rugby injuries and extrinsic rugby injuries in 15- and
16-year-old schoolboys over a 2-year period. However, in practice the prevention programme did have a significantly positive effect on the incidence of intrinsic rugby injuries
among 15- and 16-year-old schoolboys over a period of 2 years. Timely introduction of this programme during the off-season is advised. South African Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 19 (2) 2007: pp. 46-51
Physical profiles of elite male field hockey and soccer players - application to sport-specific tests
Authors: Durandt JJ , Evans JP , Revington P , Temple-Jones A , Lamberts RP
Published: January 2017

Background. The physical demands of field hockey and soccer, based on match analysis, are comparable. As a consequence many exercise scientists and coaches have
started to use the same type of field tests for hockey and soccer for the purposes of talent identification and training prescription. The validity of this practice is unknown and
the data supporting the similarity of the physical attributes of soccer and hockey players are lacking.
Objectives. To compare the physical attributes of elite South African hockey and soccer players.
Methods. Elite hockey players (N=39: 22±3 years; mean ± standard deviation) and soccer players (N=37; 24±4 years) completed a set of physical tests including a 10 m
and 40 m sprint test, a repeated sprint test (sprint fatigue resistance), a 1RM bench press and a push-up test.
Results. There were no differences in the 10 m (1.8±0.1 s both groups) and 40 m (5.4±0.2 s v. 5.3±0.2 s; hockey v. soccer) sprint times and distance run in the repeated
sprint test (754±14 m v. 734±51 m). The hockey players were stronger (82±16 v. 65±13 kg) and did more push-ups (49±12 v. 38±10 push-ups) than the soccer players.
Conclusions. It is acceptable to use the same type of sport-specific tests to measure sprint capacity and sprint fatigue resistance for hockey and soccer players. However, it is questionable whether the normative data derived for upper body strength for soccer players are relevant for hockey players, and vice versa. South African Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 19 (3) 2007: pp. 74-78
Validity and reliability of a physical activity/inactivity questionnaire in South African primary schoolgirls
Authors: Mciza ZJ , Goedecke JH , Lambert EV
Published: January 2017

Objective. We sought to determine the validity and reliability of a self-report physical activity questionnaire (PAQ) measuring physical activity/inactivity in South African
schoolgirls of different ethnic origins.
Methods. Construct validity of the PAQ was tested against physical activity energy expenditure estimated from an ACTIVITYGRAM and inactivity from reported television
programme viewing in 332 girls (ages 9 - 12 yrs, grades 4 - 5). Body composition (WHO BMI percentiles and percentage body fat) was used as an indirect measure
of validity for the PAQ. Test-retest reliability of the PAQ was assessed in a convenience sample of 14 girls.
Results. Weak but significant associations were found between the body composition and PAQ-derived total energy expenditure (r=-0.18; p
Physical fitness, nutritional habits and daily locomotive action of 12-year-old children with different body mass index
Authors: Kamtsios S
Published: January 2017

Objective. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in physical fitness, daily nutritional habits and locomotive behaviour among pupils with varying body mass index (BMI) in the 5th and 6th grades of primary school.
Design. The sample consisted of 480 pupils (229 boys and 251 girls), who participated in specific Eurofit tests and completed questionnaires probing their physical activity and nutritional habits. They were divided according to their BMI into normal, overweight or obese children.
Main outcome measures. 18% and 8% of the pupils were categorised as overweight and obese, respectively. Results. From the data analysis (two-way ANOVA), with BMI
and gender as independent variables, it was found that the obese and overweight pupils had lower performance in long jump, in 30-m speed and in 20-m shuttle run. They adopted
sedentary daily habits, such as many hours of TV watching and unhealthly nutritional habits.
Conclusions. The results of this study support the need for intervention at school through physical education and health education lessons, to inform pupils about the health risks associated with limited physical activity and unhealthy nutritional habits. Another goal should be to motivate and create behaviours that are conducive to better lifestyle habits. South African Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 20 (1) 2008: pp. 32-36
Best practice in high-performance sport
Authors: Lambert M
Published: January 2017

Best practice in high-performance sport
Autonomic response to exercise as measured by cardiovascular variability
Authors: Grant CC , Ker JA
Published: January 2017

Motivation. There is growing interest in the use of cardiovascular variability indicators as measures of autonomic activity, even though reported results are not always comparable or as expected. This review aims to determine the consistency of results
reported on the autonomic response to physical exercise as measured by heart rate variability, blood pressure variability and baroreceptor sensitivity.
Method. An Ovid MEDLINE Database search for the period 1950 - March 2008 produced 46 articles for review. The published articles that evaluate the effect of exercise on the autonomic nervous system (ANS) are summarised in three categories: the response
of the ANS during a bout of exercise, directly after exercise (recovery measurements), and after a long-term exercise programme.
Results. Articles on the effect of training on the ANS as measured by cardiovascular variability indicators show increased variability, decreased variability, and no change in variability.
Conclusion. Findings in this review emphasise that standardisation and refinement of these measuring tools are essential to produce results that can be repeated and used as reference. Standardisation is essential as these measurements are increasingly
employed in studies regarding investigations of central autonomic regulation, those exploring the link between psychological pro cesses and physiological functioning, and those indicating ANS activity in response to exercise, training and overtraining. This
review shows that important aspects are inter-individual differences, duration and intensity of the exercise programme, and choice and specific implementation of variability analysis techniques. South African Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 20 (4) 2008: pp. 102-108
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE AUTHOR INSTRUCTIONS
Authors: . .
Published: January 2017

SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE AUTHOR INSTRUCTIONS
Injury patterns of South African provincial cricket players over two seasons
Authors: Stretch RA , Raffan RP , Allan N
Published: January 2017

Objective. To determine the incidence and nature of injury patternsin elite cricketers over two seasons.Methods. Physiotherapists and/or doctors working with 4 provincial teams completed a questionnaire for each cricketer who presented with an injury during the 2004 - 2005 (S1) and 2005 - 2006 (S2) cricket seasons. This was done to determine: (i) the anatomical site of injury; (ii) the month of injury during the season; (iii) the diagnosis using the OSCIS injury classification system; (iv) the mechanism of injury; (v) whether it was a recurrence of a previous injury; (vi) whether the injury had recurred again during the season; and (vii) biographical data.Results. The results showed that 180 injuries (S1 – 84; S2 – 96)were sustained. On average the teams spent 2 472 hours on matches, 4 148 on practices and 1 612 on fitness training during the two-season period. The injury prevalence was 8% per match, while the injury incidence was 30/10 000 hours of match, practice and training time, with the match incidence being 74 injuries/ 10 000 hours and the training incidence 15 injuries/10 000 hours. Bowling (29%), fielding and wicket-keeping (27%) and batting (19%) accounted for the majority of injuries. The occurrence of injuries was predominantly to the lower limbs (S1 – 45%; S2 – 42%),back and trunk (S1 – 19%; S2 – 19%), upper limbs (S1 – 19%; S2 – 22%), head and neck (S1 – 6%; S2 – 3%), and related to illnesses (S1 – 11%; S2 – 14%). The injuries occurred primarily during first-class matches (39%), limited-overs matches (22%), and practices (17%), and some were of gradual onset (20%). Acute injuries comprised 78% of injuries. The majority of injuries were first-time injuries (76%), with 11% and 14% recurrent injuries from the previous and current seasons, respectively. The major injuries during S1 were haematomas (19%), muscle strains(17%) and other trauma (14%), while during S2 the injuries were primarily muscle strains (16%), other trauma (20%), tendinopathy (16%) and acute sprains (15%). The primary mechanisms of injury occurred in the delivery stride when bowling (19%) and overbowling (7%), on impact by the ball when batting (11%), and on sliding to field the ball (6%).Conclusion. The results indicate a pattern of cause of injury, withthe fast bowler most likely to sustain an acute injury to the soft tissues of the lower limb while participating in matches and practices during the early part of the season.
Home advantage in the Commonwealth Games
Authors: Ramchandani GM , Wilson DJ
Published: January 2017

Objectives. Research examining the phenomenon of home advantage in international multi-sport competitions is limited to the Olympic Games. This paper investigates the prevalence of home advantage in the Commonwealth Games. The paper also explores the relative impact of travel on performance in the Commonwealth Games. Methods. Home and away performances for all previous host nations were examined using the standardised measure of market share, regarded by recent European studies as the most robust indicator of a nation’s sporting performance. For each host nation, the host effect was calculated as the difference between their average home and away performances. Furthermore, the market share values for each host nation were analysed relative to the distance travelled by them (in terms of the number of time zones crossed) in every edition. This exercise was extended to all nations that have sent a team to the Commonwealth Games in the post-war era. Results. The research found that, with the exception of England, all previous host nations experienced a positive host effect in the Commonwealth Games. Furthermore, for the majority of nations it was found that performance is negatively correlated with distance travelled. In other words, as distance travelled increases, performance deteriorates. Conclusion. The findings suggest that future host nations of the event can expect to achieve an elevated level of performance when competing on home soil. This may in part be attributable to their athletes not having travel outside their own time zone. Direction for future research is offered.
Sport in action – simple steps to develop and manage talent
Authors: Lambert M
Published: January 2017

Sport in action – simple steps to develop and manage talent
The female athlete triad: a current concepts review
Authors: George C
Published: January 2017

Female athletic participation continues to grow throughout the world. This has many positive effects on health and well-being, but it has also led to a unique set of health problems. The female athlete triad was first described in 1992 by the American College of Sports Medicine, consisting of disordered eating, amenorrhoea and osteoporosis. An updated position stand was released in 2007 that modified the components of the triad to energy availability, menstrual function and bone mineral density. This article reviews the current definitions of the triad components, epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment. Each of the components of the triad exists on a continuum from healthy to pathological. Low energy availability, from either dietary restriction or increased expenditure, is the factor that leads to the pathological states of menstrual function and bone mineral density. Athletes especially at risk are those in sports requiring leanness or low body weight. Prevention and early recognition of triad disorders is crucial to ensure timely intervention and treatment. Treatment is centered on restoring energy availability to adequate levels (30 kcal.kg-1.d-1) to re-establish normal metabolic functioning. All those who work with female athletes must remain vigilant in the education, recognition and treatment of athletes at risk. Continued research and knowledge of the triad disorders aids the development of prevention and treatment strategies to allow women to continue to enjoy the benefits of regular exercise and physical activity throughout their lives.
The introduction of an international model to reduce injuries in Rugby Union in South Africa
Authors: Brown J
Published: January 2017

Regular participation in physical exercise or sport is popular due to the numerous health benefits it offers to the individual.1 However, these potential benefits need to be offset against the magnitude of risk of injury that participating in the activity may present to the individual. The risk/benefit ratio varies depending on the type of activity.1 In terms of major male-dominated sports, Rugby Union presents a high risk of overall injury to the player – greater than that of cricket, soccer or even ice hockey.2 The high incidence of injury in rugby is related to the nature of the game – a field-based team sport that involves multiple contact situations over the 80 minutes of play.3 Considering the popularity of the sport, with an estimated 92 countries participating worldwide, this injury risk presents a significant global issue.3 From the inception of the game of Rugby Union, which is speculated to have been between the start of the 1600s and the mid 1800s, the game has been regarded as a violent sport and the formation of the Rugby Football Union in 1871 was necessitated, in part, by the need for laws to reduce this violence.
Do South African general practitioners believe that ‘Exercise is Medicine’?
Authors: Watson ED , Khan T , Crear CM
Published: January 2017

Background. Physical activity (PA) has been described as medicine, owing to the clear evidence for its role in the prevention and management of various diseases.Objectives. To determine the knowledge, perceptions and attitudes of South African general practitioners (GPs) towards the promotionof PA.Methods. A total of 255 private-sector GPs from various provinces in SA participated in our cross-sectional study, by completing a selfreportquestionnaire surveying their knowledge, perceptions and attitudes towards the promotion of PA.Results. The findings indicated that South African GPs in general do promote PA to their patients for treatment and health promotion. Themajority of GPs in our study strongly believed that promoting PA is an important part of primary healthcare. The GPs frequently promotedexercise in the treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes and hyperlipidaemia.Conclusion. South African GPs appear to be recommending PA to their patients at a primary-care level. Clear practice guidelines are needed to promote PA in a way that will have a population-level impact. To aid this, GPs are encouraged to provide written information to promote PA in a way that will have an effect.
The legend of plantar neuropraxia in long-distance athletes
Authors: Kellogg DS , Joslin J
Published: January 2017

Background. Legend has it that endurance athletes who develop plantar foot pain during long-distance running frequently experience an eventual relief of pain due to a transient neuropraxia brought on by continued activity.Objective. To evaluate the nature of this legend, we assessed long-distance runners for the presence of sensory deficits before and after completion of an ultramarathon, expecting to find an induced neuropraxia  and abnormal sensory results.Methods. Twenty-five adult participants of an ultramarathon were evaluated prior to their 50/100 km run and again upon completion of the race. Neurosensory testing was performed using a 10 g monofilament at 4 locations on each foot and a 128 Hz tuning fork at one location on each foot. The same techniques were used prior to, and at conclusion of the race.Results. We detected no neuropraxia or sensory deficits in any participant, despite reports by the same subjects that they had experienced the phenomenon during the race. While runners commonly report losing sensation in their feet during long runs, we were unable to demonstrate any sensory deficit with simple field-based testing.Conclusion. We believe that there is room for additional research to be performed using more sensitive means of neurosensory evaluation.
Onderweg na 'n Christelik-filosofiese analise van evolusie en evolusionisme: Die bydrae van 'n konsekwent probleem-historiese metode
Authors: van der Walt B
Published: January 2017

Hierdie bydrae soek na helderheid oor die filosofiese grondslae of uitgangspunte van die hedendaagse steeds gewilde evolusieteorieë en evolusionistiese lewensvisies asook die verskil tussen evolusie of wording en evolusionisme. Op dié wyse wil dit ook vir Christene en Christendenkers, onder wie daar nog steeds groot verwarring oor die aangeleentheid heers, van hulp wees. Met die oog daarop word drie nog ongepubliseerde lesings oor die evolusionisme wat die Christelike wysgeer, Dirk H. Th. Vollenhoven (1892-1978), in 1963 by die destydse Potchefstroomse Universiteit vir CHO gelewer het hier bekend gestel en ontleed. Om sy filosofiese analise goed te kan begryp, word ter inleiding eers die hoofkontoere van sy konsekwent probleem-historiese metode uiteengesit. Die eerste hoofafdeling handel daarna oor vyf filosofiese voorvereistes vir die ontstaan van die evolusionisme in die algemeen, naamlik 'n genetiese denkwyse, vooruitgangsgeloof, 'n positivistiese en monistiese filosofie asook die aanvaarding van kontinuïteit tussen ten minste twee van die ryke van stof, plant, dier en mens. Die tweede afdeling toon aan hoe verskillende ontiese en antropologiese uitgangspunte tot 'n verskeidenheid evolusionismes lei. Onder hulle was ook dié van Hitler se rassistiese nasionaal-sosialisme. Die derde hoofafdeling bied Vollenhoven se eie standpunt teenoor die voorafgaande. Hy aanvaar wel evolusie of transformasie binne dieselfde ryk, maar nie evolusionisme of transformisme wat die ryke sou transendeer nie. Vanuit sy eie filosofie bied hy ook nuwe insigte oor die verskil tussen die stryd om bestaan en aanpassing.
Speech recognition for under-resourced languages: Data sharing in hidden Markov model systems
Authors: De Wet Febe , Kleynhans Neil , Van Compernolle Dirk , Sahraeian Reza
Published: January 2017

For purposes of automated speech recognition in under-resourced environments, techniques used to share acoustic data between closely related or similar languages become important. Donor languages with abundant resources can potentially be used to increase the recognition accuracy of speech systems developed in the resource poor target language. The assumption is that adding more data will increase the robustness of the statistical estimations captured by the acoustic models. In this study we investigated data sharing between Afrikaans and Flemish – an under-resourced and well-resourced language, respectively. Our approach was focused on the exploration of model adaptation and refinement techniques associated with hidden Markov model based speech recognition systems to improve the benefit of sharing data. Specifically, we focused on the use of currently available techniques, some possible combinations and the exact utilisation of the techniques during the acoustic model development process. Our findings show that simply using normal approaches to adaptation and refinement does not result in any benefits when adding Flemish data to the Afrikaans training pool. The only observed improvement was achieved when developing acoustic models on all available data but estimating model refinements and adaptations on the target data only.

Significance: 

Acoustic modelling for under-resourced languages

Automatic speech recognition for Afrikaans

Data sharing between Flemish and Afrikaans to improve acoustic modelling for Afrikaans
SNP Analysis 1: DNA Extraction v1
Authors: Sevli Serhat , C. Yunus Sahan not provided
Published: January 2017

Nehir Biyoteknoloji Ltd. www.nehirbt.com
INDIRECT WRITTEN CORRECTIVE FEEDBACK, REVISION, AND LEARNING
Authors: Poorebrahim Fatemeh
Published: January 2017

Corrective feedback, the necessity of providing it, and how it should be provided has been one of the hot topics in the area of ELT. Amid continuing controversies over whether providing feedback helps L2 learners improve their writing accuracy, many research studies have been undertaken to compare the relative effectiveness of different types of feedback. However, the difference between two types of indirect corrective feedback, namely indication and indication plus location, have not been properly examined yet. Motivated to narrow this gap, this study is designed to compare two groups of Iranian learners, each revising their papers based on one of the aforementioned options. For data analysis, a series of independent samples t tests were employed. The results revealed that the difference between the two groups in their reduction of errors from the original draft to the revision of each task followed a growing trend and became significant. Nonetheless, the difference in accuracy of new pieces of writing fell short of significance. Finally, it was found that error reduction in revision stage cannot be considered as learning. The results of the study, discussed in relation to that of others, implicate that the purpose for which feedback is provided is essential in determining the type of feedback; more explicit feedback is better for revising purposes while more implicit feedback is good for learning purposes.
LEARNER AUTONOMY IN THE INDONESIAN EFL SETTINGS
Authors: Lengkanawati Nenden Sri
Published: January 2017

Learner autonomy in Indonesian educational institutions has not commonly been listed as a teaching-learning objective, and most teachers seem to be hardly acquainted with learner autonomy (LA).  Therefore, it is very essential  to conduct a study of LA as perceived and experienced by school teachers and to find out the importance of LA training for professional development. A questionnaire was used to collect the data about English teachers’ perceptions regarding LA and LA-based practices. In addition, an LA training was conducted to see its significance for[JC1]  professional development.  After quantitatively and qualitatively analyzing the data, it was found that the participating teachers tended to maintain that autonomy should be inculcated among learners, and that the LA concept should not be misinterpreted as learning without a teacher. Concerning choices and decisions by  the learners, it was believed that learners’ making choices about how they learned and what activities they did, and involving them to decide what and how to learn could promote autonomy among learners. As regards LA-based teaching-learning practices, it was revealed that most teachers desired to implement LA principles in their teaching-learning contexts, although they identified that many of the LA principles were not that feasible to apply in their situation. It was also found that LA training could improve the teachers’ perceptions regarding LA concepts and principles. There were some constraints which could make learner autonomy difficult to develop among Indonesian learners in general: limited time allotted for the implementation of the curriculum, learners’ lack of autonomous learning experience, too much focus on national examinations, and insufficient proficiency of English.  LA-based teaching-learning practices were most desired; however, many were considered as having insufficient feasibility. In this respect, commitment is certainly the key to success in inculcating LA principles as well as implementing them in the classroom setting. [JC1]significance for
Tentativa de resolução da aparente discrepância entre o efeito de incongruência e as correlações ilusórias baseadas nas expectativas
Authors: Garcia-Marques Leonel
Published: January 2017

Dois dos mais robustos efeitos da Cognição Social, o efeito de incongruência e as correlações ilusórias baseadas nas expectativas, são aparentemente incompatíveis. Esta incompatibilidade torna-se mais aguda se for levada em consideração a similitude entre os ocntextos experimentais em que, tipicamente, se encontram ambos os efeitos. Não tem existido contudo senão um pequeno nuúmero de tentativas conceptuais d3e resolução deste aparente paradoxo. Epior, mesmo essas tentativas não produziram nem um desejável enquadramento global, nem foram capazes de abarcar completamente os dados disponíveis. O autor apresenta um novo enquadramento teórico, o modelo «Generalização de Hastie-Srull» (GHS), que representa um esforço de ultrapassar esta situação. Um novo paradigma experimenatl que combina as características típicas dos dois paradigmas experimentais originais, é também apresentado, concomitantemente com os resultados dos primeiros estudos que o utilizaram- Os resultados, mostrando uma forte dissociação entre a evocação livre e a estimação da frequência da informação incongruente com as expectativas, fornecem fortes razões para a dissolução do paradoxo referido. São igualmente discutidas as implicações mais  latas destes estudos para a compreensão dos processos de formação de impressões.
Género e poder empresarial: Estereótipos e atribuições para uma carreira de sucesso
Authors: Nogueira Conceição , Amâncio Lígia
Published: January 2017

O experimento aqui relatado integra-se num mais lato projecto de pesquisa que visa analisar os efeitos da representação dos sexos e das expectativas na percepção de poder empresarial e sucesso. Neste experimento, 240 estudantes do ensino secundário de ambos os sexos receberam uma curta descrição de um gestor de sucesso. O sexo do actor, o seu estado civil (casado/divorciado) e o seu sector de actividade na organização (electrónica/saúde) em que o gestor trabalhava actualmente eram manipulados nesta descrição, mas as 8 versões incluíam a informação de que a organização estava a atravessar um especial período de êxito, desde que o actor tinha tomado conta da gerência. Aos sujeitos era então pedido que exprimissem as suas impressões sobre o actor através de uma lista de traços, que atribuíssem causas à posição correntemente alcançada pelo actor na sua carreira e que estimassem em que medida eles próprios gostariam de alcançar uma posição semelhante nas suas futuras carreiras profissionais. Os resultados são discutidos no âmbito das representações dos sexos e do poder empresarial, quer no âmbito das identidades sexuais.
Os processos de pensamento em Psicologia da Educação
Authors: Silva Adelina Lopes
Published: January 2017

Apresentação de secção temática
A perspectiva ecológica em psicologia
Authors: Soczka Luís
Published: January 2017

-
Antologia
Authors: Machete Rui Manuel Parente Chancerelle
Published: January 2017

-
Educação, Ensino e IA
Authors: Coelho Helder
Published: January 2017

Será que a Inteligência Artificial (IA) poderá revolucionar os actuais métodos de ensino e de provocar uma revolução na educação em geral? O trabalho que vem sendo desenvolvido em duas das áreas da IA, a aprendizagem e o ensino assistido por computadores (EAC), apoia a nossa convicção que tal sucederá.
Modelos de aprendizagem em IA e Psicologia
Authors: Brazdil Pavel
Published: January 2017

O autor discute a significância dos modelos de IA para a compreensão do processo de aprendizagem. A vantagem principal destes modelos é a de podermos ver como é que as representações tidas internamente são modificadas em cada fase. O autor sustenta que tanto a especialização como a generalização são usadas no processo de aprendizagem, e postula que a criança recém-nascida possuirá provavelmente algum conhecimento do mundo numa forma bastante geral, conjuntamente com um mecanismo que lhe permite adquirir outros conhecimentos específicos mais tarde. A estrutura deste mecanismo de aprendizagem é esboçado e a importância dos erros na aprendizagem é discutida. A ocorrência de erros mostra que as referidas representações devem ser modificadas e a sua reocorrência significa que os novos métodos devem ser explorados, e assim actua como força positiva em desenvolvimento.
Manuel Casimiro Vilaça Tavares da Silva: Curriculum
Authors: Ceitil Mário Jorge
Published: January 2017

-
Das estruturas cognitivas às representações sociais
Authors: Marques José
Published: January 2017

Neste artigo é proposta uma análise cognitiva da estrutura das representações sociais. É apresentada uma análise do espaço semântico constituído com base nas associações fornecidas pelos sujeitos a 4 palavras-estímulo ligadas à problemática do desemprego. É focado o posicionamento da categoria social «Desempregados» no seio da estrutura social representada e a comparação dos atributos prototípicos dessa categoria com os traços mais frequentemente atribuídos a indivíduos que os sujeitos conhecem pessoalmente e que estão em situação de desemprego aquando do inquérito. Os resultados indicam que estes indivíduos, embora julgados como membros da categoria, são considerados como exemplares atípicos dessa categoria. Os dados são interpretados em termos da possibilidade do desenvolvimento de um modelo estrutural que permita o estudo das representações sociais enquanto unidades de memória semântica referidas ao tratamento da informação social.
A liturgia psicossociológica
Authors: Tavares da Silva Manuel
Published: January 2017

-
Os significados de Eros e Afrodite
Authors: Luzes Pedro
Published: January 2017

-
Menarca como trauma
Authors: Malpique Celeste
Published: January 2017

Após considerações sobre sexualidade feminina, a autora realça, na crise pubertária, a menarca como verdadeiro organizador, quer pela vivência corporal quer ao nível fantasmático. Estuda 22 púberes internadas de urgência numa clínica psiquiátrica, com quadros agudos surgidos próximo da menarca. Realça, como factores de risco que podem tornar a menarca traumática: o seu aparecimento precoce, a rejeição da feminilidade (Édipo invertido) e a grande dependência da figura materna reforçada por um pai ausente ou desvalorizado.
Contribuição grupanalítica para o diagnóstico actual das neuroses
Authors: Cortesão Eduardo Luis , Gameiro Maria Alice
Published: January 2017

Os autores começam por definir o processo grupanalítico nas dimensões teóricas comuns à teoria psicanalítica e nas suas dimensões técnicas próprias: conceito de matriz e padrão grupanalíticos e sua correlação dentro do processo de grupanálise. São descritos os níveis de experiência e de interpretação e estabelecem-se diferenças entre psicoterapia de grupo, psicoterapia grupanalítica e grupanálise bem como a distinção e conjugação de causalidade, significação e criatividade. Na segunda parte do artigo apresentam-se alguns aspectos das possibilidades que o processo grupanalítico apresenta para a investigação das perturbações do narcisismo.
Morte e suicídio
Authors: Bracinha Vieira António
Published: January 2017

Apresentação do número temático
Níveis de consciência da morte nos primatas: uma leitura piagetiana
Authors: Bracinha Vieira António
Published: January 2017

-
Aplicação da teoria dos grafos à determinação da liderança. Estruturas familiares
Authors: Figueiredo Dias Graça , Mendes Coelho Fernando , Almeida Maria José , Rebelo Teresa
Published: January 2017

Define-se centro do poder afectivo no sistema de relações familiares e desenvolve-se um método, baseado na Teoria dos Grafos e na Teoria das Matrizes, que permite determinar o poder de cada indivíduo no grupo familiar. Este método é utilizado na análise dos dados recolhidos através de um inquérito aplicado aos membros de dois grupos de famílias – com e sem doente mental identificado esquizofrénico. Partiu-se da hipótese básica orientadora de pesquisa, de que, comparando as famílias com doente identificado esquizofrénico com as famílias sem doente mental identificado, as primeiras têm o centro de poder afectivo ocupado sobretudo pela mãe, ou outro membro da família, ou não existindo, enquanto nas segundas ele é ocupado pelo casal coparticipativo. É feita a comparação dos resultados obtidos pela análise matemática com os resultados da análise dinâmica das famílias (a partir de entrevistas centradas na família), concluindo-se que se obtêm resultados fundamentalmente idênticos, que além disso confirmam a hipótese de base.
Leituras
Authors: Bracinha Vieira António
Published: January 2017

-
Psicoterapia Antropoanalítica
Authors: Figueiredo Dias Graça
Published: January 2017

São expostos os fundamentos teóricos, a teoria da prática e as técnicas da psicoterapia antropoanalítica, assim como as condições de formação e treino dos terapeutas. Salienta-se o carácter existencial, fenomenológico, dinâmico e dialéctico desta abordagem terapêutica e a utilização, como analisador, da prática centrada na pessoa. Dentro das técnicas verbais referem-se vários tipos de reformulação e de enfoque e os seus princípios gerais. São feitas referências práticas ao modo como são tratados os sonhos, a transferência e manejada a interpretação. Abordam-se também os factores do processo terapêutico e os resultados da psicoterapia.
Consumo de drogas ilícitas e factores de risco em adolescentes em meio escolar
Authors: Fleming Manuela , Figueiredo Eurico , Vicente Selene , Sousa Alda
Published: January 2017

O presente trabalho tem por objectivo da identificação de factores de risco na área do consumo de drogas ilícitas numa população não clínica de adolescentes (994 sujeitos: 51% rapazes, 49% raparigas), integrados em ambiente familiar e escolar. Os dados recolhidos, segundo uma metodologia de auto-relato, confirmam as sugestões da literatura que os autores revêem, relativas à configuração de variáveis – individuais, familiares – associada ao comportamento de consumo de droga em amostras não clínicas. Os resultados obtidos põem em evidência a importância das variáveis idade, auto-avaliação do rendimento escolar, dissociação do anel familiar por ausência de um ou ambos os progenitores, grau de instrução do pai e estatuto socioprofissional da mãe, e contribuem para a fundamentação de estratégias preventivas em meio escolar.
Composition of Vaginal microbiota and their antibiotic susceptibility in symptomatic women
Authors: Gopalan Ushadevi , Rajendiran Sathiyakala , Jayakumar Karthika , Karnaboopathy Ranganathan
Published: January 2017

Background: Bacterial vaginosis is the most prevalent lower genital tract infection in women of reproductive age. The aim of this study was to identify the causative organism in patients with vaginal discharge and to study the sensitivity of the organism to antibiotics.Methods: This was a hospital based prospective study in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in a tertiary care hospital over a period of two years. 2062 women with complaints of vaginal discharge were subjected to a high vaginal swab and the sample was cultured, the organisms were identified and antibiotic susceptibility was tested.Results: There was no growth found in 40.7% of patients. E. coli was found to be the most common organism isolated followed by Klebsiella pneumonia and Klebsiella oxytoca. Candida species was isolated in 1.4 % of women. An increased frequency of vaginal infection was found in the age group 26-35 years, followed by age group 36-45 years. 73.2% of the organisms were sensitive to Imipenam, 70.4 % to Amikacin and 65.7% to Gentamycin. There were 10 MRSA strains isolated all of which were sensitive to Vancomycin, Amikacin and Gentamycin.Conclusions: Our study provides information about the different microorganisms present in women with vaginal discharge. Since pathogenic bacteria were more common than Candida species it is recommended to offer treatment to patients after taking a high vaginal swab. Appropriate antibiotics based on culture and sensitivity has to be given along with antifungal agents.
Editorial
Authors: Miguel Maria Elisabeth Blanck , Luporini Teresa Jussara
Published: January 2017

Editorial da Revista HISTEDBR On-line