bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PRUNE Syndrome Is a New Neurodevelopmental Disorder
Authors: Alfadhel Majid , Nashabat Marwan , Hundallah Khalid , Al Hashem Amal , Alrumayyan Ahmed , Tabarki Brahim
Published: January 2018

PRUNE syndrome, or neurodevelopmental disorder with microcephaly, hypotonia, and variable brain anomalies (OMIM#617481), is a new rare autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental disease that is caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous mutation in PRUNE1 on chromosome 1q21. Here, We report on 12-month-old and 30-month-old girls from 2 unrelated Saudi families with typical presentations of PRUNE syndrome. Both patients had severe developmental delay, progressive microcephaly, and dysmorphic features. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed slight thinning in the corpus callosum, mild frontal brain atrophy, and delayed myelination in one of the patients. Both patients had the same missense mutation in PRUNE1 (c.383G>A, p.Arg128Gln), which was not reported before in a homozygous state. We compared our patients to previously reported cases. In conclusion, We suggest that clinicians consider PRUNE syndrome in any child presenting with dysmorphic features, developmental delay, progressive microcephaly, central hypotonia, peripheral spasticity, delayed myelination, brain atrophy, and a thin corpus callosum.
Lebanon Confronts Partition Fears: Has Consociationalism Benefitted Minorities?
Authors: Barroso Cortés Francisco Salvador , Kéchichian Joseph A.
Published: January 2018

Lebanese consociationalism has been under stress due to serious internal and external pressures. Though Lebanese regional and global leaders continue to pay lip service to Lebanon’s unity and uphold putative commitments to its sovereignty and territorial integrity, partition to resolve internal crises remains on the table. After a long and still unsettled civil war, absolute internal discord among citizens and, increasingly, the uprisings throughout the region, partition was and is once again openly discussed by many even if most camouflage it under the decentralization, federalism, or con-federalism schemes. The article underlines the inherent vulnerabilities of the Lebanese state and analyzes its deep fault lines raising a serious question about the future integrity of Lebanon.
Explorations of wearable technology for tracking self and others
Authors: Koo Sumin Helen , Fallon Kristopher
Published: January 2018

The purpose of this research is to explore designs and functions people like to have in wearable trackers and how these differ between novice and experienced users. Interviews were conducted with 20 people, consisted of novice and experienced users living in the US, by asking preferred designs and functions of wearable trackers for oneself and others, preferences on sharing the tracked data, and suggestions in designs and functions of wearables. The data were analyzed qualitatively. It is recommended to make wearable trackers as accessory types that are small, lightweight, and neutral colored. Wearable trackers can offer self-tracking of moods and feelings for novice users and self-track physical activities for experienced users. Novice users are more likely to track others’ physical health and experienced users preferred to track social media posts of others. Experienced users more reluctant to share their data with others than novice users. The results of this research will be helpful for designers, engineers, and marketers in the process of designing wearable technology.
Clothing acculturation of North Korean female defectors in South Korea
Authors: Jo Jeyeon , Ha Jisoo
Published: January 2018

The purpose of this study is to observe how female defectors from North Korea acculturate in South Korean clothing culture and to discuss possible policies to help their cultural settlement. North Korean defectors can experience culture shock and feel much pressure to adopt new lifestyle in terms of South Korean mode of fashion. Therefore, this research examines cultural points where NK female defectors recognize differences between two clothing cultures. To this end, in-depth interview was conducted with 11 participants. Researchers observed three types of clothing acculturation and drew a paradigm model that depicts the phenomenon of clothing acculturation of North Korean female defectors. Lastly, this study discussed about three possible policy suggestions based on the observed acculturation strategies by acculturation types. This study involves academic implications for investigating clothing acculturation by an immigrant group in a new society in a broad sense. There is a limit on this research that there can be some biased responses from participants because of the uniqueness of the group.
Ethical dilemmas in psychiatry: When teams disagree
Authors: Silva Edward , Till Alex , Adshead Gwen
Published: January 2018

Many ethical dilemmas in medicine are associated with highly unusual clinical situations and are an almost daily challenge for mental health teams. We describe the ethical issues that arose in relation to a significant difference of opinion between team members about using nasogastric clozapine in the treatment of a severely ill patient. We discuss how conflicting emotions and perspectives within teams acquire ethical significance and how negotiation and reflection are essential for good-quality ethical reasoning to take place.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the different effects and importance of reasoning and emotions in moral decision-making

• Use a clinical scenario involving a difficult and controversial procedure to explore the impact of social persuasion in moral decision-making

• Consider the effects of heuristics against rational thinking
Working beyond your job plan
Authors: Till Alex , Wise Jan
Published: January 2018

A job plan is part of a modern contract, informing employee and employer what they are paid to do. It is not a mandatory, inflexible tablet of stone, but frequently National Health Service (NHS) clinicians find themselves working, to their detriment, in excess of what they have agreed to do, by bridging the gap between resources and demand. So what do we do when we are persistently going above and beyond and there is no more left to give: how can we fix the system, and who really gets left behind?
Caregiver burden and distress following the patient's discharge from psychiatric hospital
Authors: Ranieri Veronica , Madigan Kevin , Roche Eric , McGuinness David , Bainbridge Emma , Feeney Larkin , Hallahan Brian , McDonald Colm , O'Donoghue Brian
Published: January 2018

Aims and method

Caring for someone with a mental illness is increasingly occurring within the community. As a result, family members who fulfil a caregiving role may experience substantial levels of burden and psychological distress. This study investigates the level of burden and psychological distress reported by caregivers after the patient's admission.

Results

This study found that the overall level of burden and psychological distress experienced by caregivers did not differ according to the patient's legal status. However, the caregivers of those who were voluntarily admitted supervised the person to a significantly greater extent than the caregivers of those who were involuntarily admitted. Approximately 15% of caregivers revealed high levels of psychological distress.

Clinical implications

This study may emphasise a need for mental health professionals to examine the circumstances of caregivers, particularly of those caring for patients who are voluntarily admitted, a year after the patient's admission.
Radiofrequency Ablation Versus Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Localized Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Nonsurgically Managed Patients: Analysis of the National Cancer Database
Authors: Rajyaguru Devalkumar J. , Borgert Andrew J. , Smith Angela L. , Thomes Reggie M. , Conway Patrick D. , Halfdanarson Thorvardur R. , Truty Mark J. , Kurup A. Nicholas , Go Ronald S.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Data that guide selection of optimal local ablative therapy for the management localized hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are lacking. Because there are limited prospective comparative data for these treatment modalities, we aimed to compare the effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) versus stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) by using the National Cancer Database.

Methods

We conducted an observational study to compare the effectiveness of RFA versus SBRT in nonsurgically managed patients with stage I or II HCC. Overall survival was compared by using propensity score–weighted and propensity score–matched analyses based on patient-, facility-, and tumor-level characteristics. A sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of severe fibrosis/cirrhosis. In addition, we performed exploratory analyses to determine the effectiveness of RFA and SBRT in clinically relevant patient subsets.

Results

Overall, 3,684 (92.6%) and 296 (7.4%) nonsurgically managed patients with stage I or II HCC received RFA or SBRT, respectively. After propensity matching, 5-year overall survival was 29.8% (95% CI, 24.5% to 35.3%) in the RFA group versus 19.3% (95% CI, 13.5% to 25.9%) in the SBRT group ( P < .001). Inverse probability–weighted analysis yielded similar results. The benefit of RFA was consistent across all subgroups examined and was robust to the effects of severe fibrosis/cirrhosis.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that treatment with RFA yields superior survival compared with SBRT for nonsurgically managed patients with stage I or II HCC. Even though our results are limited by the biases related to the retrospective study design, we believe that, in the absence of a randomized clinical trial, our findings should be considered when recommending local ablative therapy for localized unresectable HCC.
Συσχέτιση Συναισθηματικής Νοημοσύνης και Άγχους σε μαθητές Δημοτικού
Authors: Γιαννακοπούλου Αντωνία , Αντωνίου Αλέξανδρος - Σταμάτιο�
Published: January 2018

Η σημερινή κατάσταση κρίσης στην οποία βρίσκεται η ελληνική κοινωνία, έχει άμεσο αντίκτυπο στην ελληνική οικογένεια και κατά συνέπεια στη συμπεριφορά των παιδιών στο χώρο του σχολείου. Παράλληλα, γίνονται διεθνώς πολλές έρευνες που αφορούν τη συναισθηματική νοημοσύνη και πόσο αυτή επηρεάζει την απόδοση των ενηλίκων στον εργασιακό τομέα, καθώς και τη διαχείριση κρίσεων.Έχοντας την καθημερινή εμπειρία της σχολικής τάξης, έκρινα ενδιαφέρουσα την διερεύνηση της συναισθηματικής νοημοσύνης και την κατάσταση άγχους στην οποία βρίσκονται οι μαθητές. Παράλληλα, είχα τον προβληματισμό για το πόσο επηρεάζει την απόδοση των μαθητών, η αυτοεκτίμηση και η αντίληψη που έχουν για τον εαυτό τους.Σκοπός αυτής της έρευνας είναι η διερεύνηση της ύπαρξης αγχωδών διαταραχών σε παιδιά της Ε΄ και ΣΤ΄ δημοτικού, όπως και να εξετάσει τα επίπεδα της συναισθηματικής νοημοσύνης, της αναγνωστικής αυτοαντίληψης, καθώς και την κατάσταση άγχους στην οποία βρίσκονται.Ειδικότερα, εξετάζεται η σχέση του φύλου με τις παραπάνω μεταβλητές, όπως επίσης και η σειρά γέννησης, καθώς και το μορφωτικό επίπεδο της μητέρας. Οι μεταβλητές αυτές καθορίστηκαν μετά από μελέτη των σχετικών ερευνών, που έχουν δημοσιευτεί σε επιστημονικά περιοδικά τα τελευταία χρόνια.Τα υποκείμενα της έρευνας αποτέλεσαν 150 μαθητές της Ε΄ και ΣΤ΄ τάξης του δημοτικού σχολείου, αστικού και ημιαστικού πληθυσμού του λεκανοπεδίου Αττικής. Επιλέχθηκαν 7 σχολεία διαφορετικού κοινωνικοοικονομικού επιπέδου, με τυχαία δειγματοληψία.Ως όργανα μέτρησης χρησιμοποιήθηκαν ερωτηματολόγια που δόθηκαν από τον επιβλέποντα καθηγητή, με τα οποία μετρήθηκαν το άγχος κατάστασης, η συναισθηματική νοημοσύνη, η αναγνωστική αυτοαντίληψη και το άγχος των μαθητών.Από τη γενική θεώρηση των αποτελεσμάτων της έρευνας, παρατηρούμε ότι επαληθεύτηκε η γενική υπόθεση, ότι δηλαδή υπάρχει θετική συνάφεια μεταξύ της συναισθηματικής νοημοσύνης και του φύλου, καθώς και του μορφωτικού επιπέδου της μητέρας και της αναγνωστικής αυτοαντίληψης. Παράλληλα υπήρχαν κάποιες ερευνητικές υποθέσεις που δεν επιβεβαιώθηκαν.
Οι νέες τεχνολογίες ως εργαλείο ενίσχυσης των πολλαπλών ευφυϊών
Authors: Πολύδωρος Γεώργιος
Published: January 2018

Αυτή η εργασία είναι μια προσπάθεια προσέγγισης της θεωρίας των πολλαπλών ευφυϊών του Howard Gardner και τις δυνατότητες που παρέχονται από το μοντέλο της εκπαίδευσης της ανοικτής και εξ αποστάσεως εκπαίδευσης. Η ανοικτή και εξ αποστάσεως εκπαίδευση μπορεί να φέρει επανάσταση στην παραδοσιακή παιδαγωγική πρακτική, καλύπτοντας τις ανάγκες των ατόμων που έχουν διαφορετικές μορφές γνωστικής κατανόησης. Τα συμπεράσματα αναδεικνύουν την ανοικτή και εξ αποστάσεως εκπαίδευση όχι απλώς ως ένα απλό εργαλείο για τη διάδοση της εκπαίδευσης, αλλά ως μέσο επίτευξης νέων επιπέδων κατανόησης και μάθησης.
Rare phytomyxid infection on the alien seagrass Halophila stipulacea in the southeast Aegean Sea
Authors: VOHNÍK MARTIN , BOROVEC ONDŘEJ , ÖZBEK ELIF ÖZGÜR , OKUDAN ASLAN EMINE ŞÜKRAN
Published: January 2018

Phytomyxids (Phytomyxea) are obligate endosymbionts of many organisms such as algae, diatoms, oomycetes and higher plants including seagrasses. Despite their supposed significant roles in the marine ecosystem, our knowledge of their marine diversity and distribution as well as their life cycles is very limited. Here we describe anatomy and morphology of several developmental stages of a phytomyxid symbiosis recently discovered on the petioles of the alien seagrass Halophila stipulacea (Forssk.) Asch. at a locality in the southeast Aegean Sea. Its earliest whitish stages appeared already on the youngest leaves at the apex of the newly formed rhizomes. The infected host cells grew in volume being filled with plasmodia which resulted in the formation of characteristic macroscopic galls. The plasmodia eventually cleaved into spores and in the final stage recorded by us, the dark brown to black galls contained mature resting spores often occurring in duplexes and possessing thick verrucous outer walls. Based on its anatomo-morphological features the phytomyxid was assigned as Plasmodiophora cf. halophilae. Little is so far known about the origins and eco-physiological functioning of this rare symbiosis. However, seemingly similar infection patterns were reported in 1913 on Halophila ovalis (R. Br.) Hook. f. from Java and in 1995 on H. stipulacea from Sicily. Since H. stipulacea is of the Indo-Pacific origin and no phytomyxid infection was observed on the co-occurring autochthonous seagrass Cymodocea nodosa, we hypothesize that its phytomyxid might have co-migrated into the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal, potentially reaching as far as the southern Ionian Sea.
Anadara kagoshimensis (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Arcidae) in Adriatic Sea: morphological analysis, molecular taxonomy, spatial distribution, and prediction
Authors: STRAFELLA PIERLUIGI , FERRARI ALICE , FABI GIANNA , SALVALAGGIO VERA , PUNZO ELISA , CUICCHI CLARA , SANTELLI ANGELA , CARIANI ALESSIA , TINTI FAUSTO , TASSETTI ANNA NORA , SCARCELLA GIUSEPPE
Published: January 2018

Morphological analysis, molecular characterization, and information on distribution and density of Anadara kagoshimensis (Tokunaga, 1906) specimens collected in the Adriatic Sea were here carried out as based on various material and data from five surveys conducted from 2010 to 2014, for a total of 329 bottom trawl hauls. The morphological and molecular analyses allowed to clarify the confused taxonomy regarding the biggest ark clam alien species invading the Italian waters and the Mediterranean Sea. The analysis on distribution and density revealed that A. kagoshimensis mostly occurs along the Italian coast at depths from 8 to 50 m, with a catch frequency of more than 98% in all hauls performed on silty-clay sediment at  8-30 m depth. The hotspot map clearly shows a reduction of its distribution area from 2010 to 2012.
The exploitation of limpets in a Mediterranean Marine Protected Area: assessing the effectiveness of protection in the intertidal zone
Authors: MARRA STEFANO , COPPA STEFANIA , CAMEDDA ANDREA , MASSARO GIORGIO , De LUCIA GIUSEPPE A.
Published: January 2018

Limpets are intertidal keystone grazers and their overexploitation could have significant consequences for intertidal communities. Limpets are harvested around the Sinis Peninsula (Sardinia, Italy) but harvesting is prohibited within the “Penisola del Sinis - Isola di Mal di Ventre” Marine Protected Area (MPA). This work assesses the effects of human harvesting on the population dynamics of three common Mediterranean species of Patella, namely, P. rustica, P. caerulea and P. ulyssiponensis, testing the effectiveness of the MPA and the role of site accessibility in limiting the intensity of such harvesting pressure. In the period between June 2015 and August 2016, limpet abundance and size were recorded on a monthly basis by means of photographic frames within linear transects at ten sites spread out along the coastline of the Sinis Peninsula to assess growth and temporal patterns. Limpets older than two years are extremely rare in the study area. Limpets are more abundant within the MPA in comparison with non-protected areas and within less accessible sites in comparison with areas where the intertidal zone is easily accessible from land. Despite this, overall human-induced mortality in the area is high, indeed the pool of limpets observed with a mean density of 104.3 ± 9.7 limpets/m2 during the first survey was reduced by 99.2%in less than one year. This work demonstrates that human harvesting strongly affects the population dynamics of Patella species in the area and that within the MPA this stressor is not efficiently reduced.
Strategic Aspects of the Development of a Modern Industrial Enterprise
Authors: Любицкая В. , Lyubickaya V.
Published: January 2018

The article discusses main strategic aspects of modern corporations’ development. As a model, the model of G. Kleiner’sintrasystem space is used, which considers the mental, cultural, institutional, cognitive, technological, imitative and historical subsystems. Each subsystem includes key processes that contribute to the formation of enterprise competitiveness parameters. According to the system model, the characteristics of subsystems of industrial enterprises of the Altai Region are given. The strategic aspects of enterprise development are considered, in particular, the formation of the dynamic capabilities underlying the achievement of strategic competitiveness. A theoretical basis for the formation of the concepts “core competencies”, “dynamic abilities”, “routine” and their role in the formation of strategic landmarks is being formed. The author’s model of formation of unique dynamic abilities of an industrial enterprise and organization of an enterprise’s intrasystem space is given.
Induction of labour: How do women get information and make decisions? Findings of a qualitative study
Authors: Jay Annabel , Thomas Hilary , Brooks Fiona
Published: January 2018

Background

Induction of labour is one of the most frequent interventions in pregnancy. While it is not always unwelcome, it is associated with increased labour pain and further interventions. Evidence from earlier studies suggests that induction is often commenced without full discussion and information, which questions the validity of women's consent. This study aimed to add depth and context to existing knowledge by exploring how first-time mothers acquire information about induction and give consent to the procedure.

Method

A qualitative study into women's experiences of induction was undertaken, comprising 21 women, who were interviewed 3-6 weeks after giving birth following induction.

Findings

Information from midwives and antenatal classes was minimal, with family and friends cited as key informants. Midwives presented induction as the preferred option, and alternative care plans, or the relative risks of induction versus continued pregnancy, were rarely discussed. Women reported that midwives often appeared rushed, with little time for discussion.

Conclusions

Providers of maternity care need to devise more flexible ways of working to create time and opportunities for midwives to discuss induction in detail with women and to promote fully informed decision-making.
Improving practice and reducing significant postpartum haemorrhage through audit
Authors: Mansfield Julie
Published: January 2018

Background

In 2012, there was a concern about the incidence of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) and the prevalence of physiological third stage management at a midwife-led birthing unit.

Aims

To determine whether midwives considered risk factors for PPH and provided informed choice when planning third stage management, and whether there was any relationship between third stage management and PPH.

Methods

A cohort of 57 women who experienced a PPH >500mL was identified, and their records audited. Findings were shared with the midwifery team, who generated solutions. These were implemented in 2013/14 and a re-audit was conducted in 2015.

Findings

The re-audit showed that the incidence of PPH >1000mL had decreased. As a result of improvements in risk assessment and informed consent surrounding third stage management, no women were inappropriately managed physiologically during the third stage. Using an agreed pathway and PPH boxes was associated with an improvement in the quality and speed of treatment.

Conclusions

The audit cycle was used effectively to review practice. It identified deficiencies and helped the midwifery team to generate solutions, which resulted in improved outcomes for women.
The transition from clinical practice to education
Authors: Foster Joanne
Published: January 2018

Every midwife will make the transition from education to the clinical setting, but moving from clinical practice to a new role in midwifery education can be just as much of a change. The decision to transition from clinical practice to a midwifery academic educator role should be carefully considered. As part of the midwifery education in action series, this article will reflect on the authors' own move into education and share these experiences with those who may also wish to choose this career path. After more than three years in post, there is much to be shared; however, this article will also include a brief review of midwifery education, how best to support student learning and assessment, and how to prioritise career development.
Who has a duty of care to keep midwives safe?
Authors: Golden Paul
Published: January 2018

Midwives have a duty of care to the women and babies they look after, but who has a duty of care to midiwves? Paul Golden explains when an employer may be responsible for harm
Contraception in general practice: Frequently asked questions
Authors: Robinson Carol Marilyn Ann
Published: January 2018

The aim of this article is to address questions frequently asked by practice nurses related to contraception and, in particular, combined hormonal contraception. The questions are based on an analysis of enquiries and clinical situations highlighted during contraception and sexual health training programmes for practice nurses. To formulate evidence-based answers, electronic sources were routinely searched, including clinical guidance from the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health; the World Health Organization publications: UK Medical Eligibility Recommendations for Contraceptive Use; the Cochrane library; and MEDLINE, plus manufacturers' summaries of product characteristics.
Understandng Society Scientific Conference 2015 Abstracts
Authors: Randall Cara
Published: January 2018

Book of abstracts from the 2015 conference hosted by the University of Essex.
The health impacts of the contemporary manufacturing and service sectors on men and women
Authors: Kampanellou Eleni , Houston Donald
Published: January 2018

Manufacturing and manual employment and, to a lesser extent, low-grade white-collar work have long been associated with poor health outcomes. This article reports important new findings based on longitudinal micro data that demonstrate important changes and gender-related patterns to this prevailing understanding. Specifically, manufacturing employment now has a protective health effect for men, and women’s health is not strongly influenced by occupation.  High-paid service sector employment is found to be bad for health, particularly among men.  Changing industry within the service sector is linked to a deterioration in health, particularly among women, whereas changing employment from manufacturing to services is found to be bad for men’s health.  Confirming previous research, shifts from any sector of employment into unemployment and economic inactivity are strongly associated with a deterioration in health.  The findings point to four conclusions: i) the emergence of new occupational hazards in the service sector; ii) the improvement of working conditions in manufacturing; iii) changing industry is damaging to an individual’s health, possibly due to skills mismatches that may arise, although further research is required to further disentangle the direction of causation; and iv) the impacts on health of different industrial sectors and changes between industrial sectors vary between men and women.
Prevention of Productive Cows Slaughter through Management of Local State Enterprises
Authors: Priyanti Atien , Inounu Ismeth , Ilham Nyak
Published: January 2018

Based on the last national livestock census in 2013, the population number of cattle and buffalo have reduced by 15% compared to that in 2011. The highest reduction happened in Java that reached around 24-27%, while that in Bali and Nusa Tenggara was 25%. One of the reasons was caused by decreasing number of cows due to the increase of productive cows slaughtered every year. Number of cows slaughtered in Bali, Nusa Tenggara, and South Sulawesi had reached on average of 72% from total slaughtered, where more than 90% were productive cows. Reasons for slaughtering productive cows were due to: (1) Lower cows price; (2) Limited bulls supply; (3) Local government regulation on inter-island trade; (4) Weak and inconsistent law enforcement; and (5) Lack of understanding on criteria for productive cows by farmers. Increased rate of slaughtered cattle and increasing rate of inter-island trade volumes that higher than the rate of cattle population had caused the decrease of national cattle population. There are currently needs to improve and develop operation slaughter-houses under management of local state enterprise. The management applies on certain mechanisms that sort of incoming productive females according to different grades into allowable to be slaughtered and selected for breeding females, which could be further traded inter-island as supplier of cows for other regions. This strategy may help the central government to meet the demand for productive cows, particularly in Sumatera and Kalimantan which have abundance of feed biomass resources. Policy support is needed as instruments for all interested stakeholders including those who are willing to invest in cattle development such as oil-palm estates.
Utilization of Rumen Mechanical Stimulator as Pseudo Fiber in Ruminant to Minimize Metabolic Problem
Authors: Nurmeiliasari Nurmeiliasari , Priyanto R , Astuti D A , Salundik . , Takahashi J
Published: January 2018

Feeding high concentrate diet, characterized with high starch and low fiber is applied to increase energy intake for an optimal production performance in ruminants. However, the prevalence of digestive disorder namely ruminal acidosis has been reported as drawback of this feeding strategy. This encourages farmers and nutritionist to supply adequate fiber in the diet to meet minimum dietary fiber requirement. However, feeding high forage diet is reported to give adverse effect on production performance, thus economic loss for farmers. Therefore, some sorts of artificial fiber utilizations have been introduced to reduce the risk of nutritional diseases as well as improving ruminant productivity. The utilization of rumen mechanical stimulator aims to maintain a healthy rumen function in ruminants fed with high concentrate diet. Objective of this article is to review recent development of rumen mechanical stimulators utilization, a pseudo fiber to substitute forage physical function in the rumen of ruminants. This review highlights the use of rumen mechanical stimulators in dairy cattle, beef cattle and sheep with particular attention in rumination time and rumen parameters. In conclusion, rumen mechanical stimulator is attributable to minimize metabolic problem associated with high concentrate feeding by providing mechanical stimulation on the rumen wall.
Situating Hobby Drone Practices
Authors: Hildebrand Julia M.
Published: January 2018

Consumer drones are entering everyday spaces with increasing frequency and impact as more and more hobbyists use the aerial tool for recreational photography and videography. In this article, I seek to expand the common reference to drones as “unmanned aircraft systems” by conceptualising the hobby drone practice more broadly as a heterogeneous, mobile assemblage of virtual and physical practices and human and non-human actors. Drawing on initial ethnographic fieldwork and interviews with drone hobbyists as well as ongoing cyber-ethnographic research on social networking sites, this article gives an overview of how the mobile drone practice needs to be situated alongside people, things, and data in physical and virtual spheres. As drone hobbyists set out to fly their devices at a given time and place, a number of relations reaching across atmospheric (e. g. weather conditions, daylight hours, GPS availability), geographic (e. g. volumetric obstacles), mobile (e. g. flight restrictions, ground traffic), and social (e. g. bystanders) dimensions demand attention. Furthermore, when drone operators share their aerial images online, visual (e. g. live stream) and cyber-social relations (e. g. comments, scrutiny) come into play, which may similarly impact the drone practice in terms of the pilot’s performance. While drone hobbysists appear to be interested in keeping a “low profile” in the physical space, many pilots manage a comparatively “high profile” in the virtual sphere with respect to the sharing of their images. Since the recreational trend brings together elements of convergence, location-awareness, and real-time feedback, I suggest approaching consumer drones as, what Scott McQuire (2016) terms, “geomedia.” Moreover, consumer drones open up different “cybermobilities” (Adey/Bevan 2006) understood as connected movement that flows through and shapes both physical and virtual spaces simultaneously. The way that many drone hobbyists appear to navigate these different environments, sometimes at the same time, has methodological implications for ethnographic research on consumer drones. Ultimately, the assemblage-perspective brings together aviation-related and socio-cultural concerns relevant in the context of consumer drones as digital communication technology and visual production tool.
An Experimental Autoethnography of Mobile Freelancing
Authors: Hakim Fernández Nadia
Published: January 2018

This piece discusses an experimental ongoing research that began with my experience as an academic freelancer. It focuses on my experience of moving frequently within and between cities under specific work/ life conditions. An autoethnography provides insights not observable in quantitative research designs; and allows for access to embodied experience, along with reflections on emerging topics going beyond the purely personal, namely, mobility, advantage, and (work)place-making. This strategy allowed me to delineate the boundaries of the fieldsite across online and offline settings, including the digital technologies I share with other research participants. Personal maps of geolocalised trajectories overlapped with experiential accounts (photos, audionotes, interviews, and hand-drawn maps) are included. An interpretational thickness emerges from this association of materials. The research process has inspired the development of a smartphone mobile application for documenting such experiences of mobile freelancing, yet to be created with developers, who are, in turn, participants in this research.
Exploring Islamic Based Caring Practice in Intensive Care Unit: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Ismail Suhartini , Hatthakit Urai , Songwathana Praneed
Published: January 2018

Background: Even the advanced technology of modalities in intensive care unit (ICU) has been required a lot, it is important to date that nurses understand the Islamic faith-based healing in the holistic nursing care.Purpose: A phenomenological approach was conducted to describe the caring behaviors based on Islam for the patients in ICU from the perspective of nurses and patients’ family.Methods: Fourteen ICU nurses and 10 families participated in the study. In-depth interviews with nurses and families were conducted. The data were analyzed using inductive content analysis.Results: The findings revealed that Islamic-based caring in ICU was connecting to God (Allah), being present with patients and family, and nurses were an instrument to assist the patients and family to be faith in God. In addition, some barriers regarding Islamic based caring practice were presented, such as limited of knowledge and skill to provide Islamic based caring.  Conclusion: Islamic based caring is very important in practicing the balance of body, mind, and spirit. It is suggested that the nurses are applying Islamic based caring improve the quality of care related to cultural care. The next investigation is needed to measure the nurse caring behavior based on Islamic perspective.
Negative Air Pressure on Wet Cupping in Decreasing Blood Pressures in Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Darmawan Budi , Fatmasari Diyah , Pujiast Rr. Sri Endang
Published: January 2018

Background: Wet cupping, furthermore mentioned cupping, decreases blood pressures through the level of negative air pressures added by hydrostatics filtration pressure to reinforce the power of fluids filtration in capillaries. However, an appropriate negative air pressure to decrease blood pressure remains an uncertainty.Purpose: This study aimed to analyze negative air pressure differences on cupping in decreasing blood pressures in hypertensive patients.Methods: This is a quasi-experimental design conducted in three Community Health Centers in Langsa City, Aceh, Indonesia. The samples were 36 hypertensive males with age from 45 to 55, who were randomly stratified into two groups with cupping pressures 400 mbar (n=18) as the control group; and 540 mbar (n=18) as the intervention group. The cupping session was performed to each group on T1 (alkahil) point and in the middle line of both shoulders blade points. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressures (DBP) were measured by validated automatic sphygmomanometer. The follow-up periods were one week and two weeks. The data were then analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA.Results: Cupping pressure of 400 mbar decreased the mean of SBP and DPB with a p-value of 0.450 and 0.026, respectively after two weeks of intervention. Meanwhile, cupping pressure of 540 mbar decreased the mean of SBP and DBP with a p-value of 0.006 and 0.057, respectively. Tests of within-subjects resulted in the p-value of 0.250 (SBP) and 0.176 (DBP) after two weeks of intervention. There were no significant differences in SBP and DBP between the intervention group and the control group.Conclusion: The cupping pressure between 400 mbar and 540 mbar could reduce blood pressure; however, the cupping pressure of 540 mbar yielded greater effect in decreasing blood pressure than the 400 mbar. Negative air vacuum pressure loads on cupping to decrease blood pressure should be considered between 400 to 540 mbar, and further studies are needed.
Palaeotemperature estimation in the Holsteinian Interglacial (MIS 11) based on oxygen isotopes of aquatic gastropods from eastern Poland
Authors: Szymanek Marcin
Published: January 2018

For quantitative estimation of past water temperature of four Holsteinian (MIS 11) palaeolakes from eastern Poland, the oxygen isotope palaeothermometer was applied to shells of the aquatic gastropodsViviparus diluvianusandValvata piscinalis. The δ18O composition of their shells demonstrated the average growth-season water temperatures during the mesocratic stage of the interglacial (Ortel Królewski Lake), during its climatic optimum – theCarpinus–AbiesZone (Ossówka-Hrud, Roskosz and Szymanowo Lakes), and in the post-optimum (Szymanowo Lake). The calculation was based on δ18OShellvalues and the δ18OWaterassumed for the Holsteinian from the modern oxygen isotope composition of precipitation and the expected amount of evaporative enrichment. The mean oxygen isotope palaeotemperatures of Ortel Królewski lake waters were in the range of 18.1–21.9°C and were uniform for theTaxusandPinus–Larixzones. Ossówka-Hrud and Roskosz Lakes had mean temperatures of 17.4–21.0°C during the climatic optimum, whereas the temperature of Szymanowo lake waters was estimated at 20.6–21.7°C at that time. These values are concordant with the pollen-inferred July air temperatures noted during the Holsteinian in eastern Poland. Relatively high values of ~25°C in the post-optimum noted at Szymanowo were connected with the presence of a shallow and warm isolated bay indicated by pollen and mollusc records.
The usefulness of subfossil Cladocera remains in Younger Dryas climatic reconstructions in central Poland
Authors: Pawłowski Dominik
Published: January 2018

Cladoceran-based paleotemperature estimates for the Younger Dryas for ten sections of paleo-oxbow lakes, valley mires, and lacustrine sediments from central Poland are presented, and their potential usefulness to climatostratigraphy is described. Most of the changes observed in the cladoceran assemblages are responses to climate changes. The cladoceran-based temperature reconstructions reflect cold conditions during the Younger Dryas (YD) and allow a division of this period into two phases: an older colder phase, between 12,800 and 12,000 cal yrs BP, and a younger, warmer phase, between ca. 12,000 and 11,500 cal yrs BP. The geomorphological features of the study sites and local environmental forces are also taken into consideration. The cladoceran-inferred summer temperature estimates from all of the study sites correspond closely with the available climate reconstruction for the YD in central Europe.
Using Dynamic Light Scattering Experimental Setup and Neural Networks For Particle Sizing
Authors: Rei Silviu , Chicea Dan
Published: January 2018

Using a Lorentzian function fit as reference, a basic experiment was designed for processing Dynamic Light Scattering time series, allowing to estimate the average particle size of a suspension. For fitting the averaged power spectrum of the time series, several neural network configurations were tested in order to compare the results with the reference. The results of this comparison revealed a good match, serving as a proof of concept for using neural networks as an alternative for DLS time series processing.
A Victorian Gentleman in the Pharaoh’s Court: Christian Egyptosophy and Victorian Egyptology in the Romances of H. Rider Haggard
Authors: Magus Simon
Published: January 2018

The following article analyses the ways in which the developing field of Egyptology found its way into Victorian culture, more especially via the romances of H. Rider Haggard. It considers the process of acculturation in terms of the Christianizing tendency of a biblical archaeology which was looking for evidence of biblical narratives in opposition to Higher Criticism of the Bible. It focusses on the specific influence of the Egyptologist and Assyriologist E. A. Wallis Budge’s ideas on Haggard’s fiction and also examines how the prominence of excavations at Amarna produced a Victorianization of the household of the pharaoh Akhenaten in the phenomenon of “Amarnamania.”
Novel optimization technique to determine polarization characteristics of a corroding metal
Authors: Ahmed Shaik Liyakhath , Thamida Sunil Kumar , Narasaiah N.
Published: January 2018

Polarization data characterize the corrosion behavior of a metal giving a quick estimate of corrosion current density icorr and corrosion potential Ecorr. These two characteristics determine the corrosion rate and position of the metal in galvanic series. The chosen system for the study is steel (SS304) in NaCl solution. In these studies, icorr and Ecorr of Butler-Volmer equation are obtained by fitting the full expression to experimental current vs potential data unlike the graphical method using Tafelslopes. MATLAB optimization tool box is utilized for this purpose. The novel optimization technique is explained for determining Ecorr and icorr
Right 2-Engel elements, central automorphisms and commuting automorphisms of Lie algebras
Authors: Jafari Mohammad Hossein , Madadi Ali Reza
Published: January 2018

In the present paper, right 2-Engel elements, central automorphisms and commuting automorphisms of Lie algebras will be studied. For this purpose, first the structure of the set of all right 2-Engel elements of a Lie algebra will be examined and then, by taking advantage of it, a number of interesting results about central and commuting automorphisms of Lie algebras will be presented. Finally, a characterization of Lie algebras for which the set of central automorphisms is trivial or the set of commuting automorphisms is trivial will be given.
Exploring quality generating factors in customer-supplier relationships
Authors: Rodríguez-López Nuria , Diz-Comesaña M. Eva , Mondragón Adrián E. Coronado
Published: January 2018

The analysis of interorganizational relationships continues to attract academic research because of the influence that management of supply chain relationships has in business competitiveness. However, there are almost no studies about this decision in the mineral products industry. The purpose of this study is to investigate customer-supplier relationships in the non-metallic mineral products mining and manufacturing industry in order to determine what relational forms enable achieving better business competitiveness and higher quality relationships. To carry out this research, we propose a cohesive model comprising variables to characterize the transactions, the forms of governance and both economic and relational results. The paper is based on a transactional framework; thus, the adoption of one or another form of governance is addressed through the length of the relationship, the transmission of information and the dependencies between the agents. As for the outcome, the quality of the relationship is highlighted because of its importance in business competitiveness. The relational quality is understood as the stability of the relationship or the importance given by the buyer to maintaining the relationship or relational commitment.The hypotheses generated are contrasted by a structural equation model in a sample of 293 Spanish companies. The results confirm the importance of past relationships and integrated forms to get better results. In this sense, managers should encourage trust and dependencies because they positively affect performance. Trust and dependencies determine the choice of a vertical form of governance, and these factors, along with information, intervene in the quality of business relationships. Thus, it is possible to say that forms of governance do have effects on the interrelations between the characteristics of the transactions and the business performance.
Genetic mutations associated with neonatal diabetes mellitus in Omani patients
Authors: Al Senani Aisha , Hamza Nishath , Al Azkawi Hanan , Al Kharusi Manal , Al Sukaiti Nashat , Al Badi Maryam , Al Yahyai Moza , Johnson Matthew , De Franco Elisa , Flanagan Sarah , Hattersley Andrew , Ellard Sian , Mula-Abed Waad-Allah
Published: January 2018

Background:

Neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM) is a rare disorder worldwide where diabetes is diagnosed in the first 6 months of life. However, Oman has a relatively high incidence of NDM.

Methods:

In this study, we investigated the genetic etiologies underlying NDM and their prevalence in Oman. We collected a cohort of 24 NDM patients, with and without genetic diagnosis, referred to our center from 2007 to 2015. All patients without a genetic diagnosis were tested for mutations in 23 NDM-associated genes using a custom-targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel and methylation analysis of the 6q24 locus.

Results:

A genetic abnormality was detected in 15/24 (62.5%) of our Omani NDM patients. We report the detection of 6q24 methylation abnormalities andKCNJ11mutations for the first time in Omani NDM patients. Unlike Western populations where NDM is predominantly due to mutations in theKCNJ11,ABCC8andINSgenes, NDM due to homozygousGCKgene mutations were most prevalent in Oman, having been observed in seven out of 15 NDM patients in whom we established the genetic etiology. This reflects the high degree of consanguinity which makes recessive conditions more likely.

Conclusions:

The results of this study are likely to impact any future strategy to introduce genetic testing for NDM disorders within the national healthcare system in Oman.
European Union and Sustainable Development Indicators
Authors: Kovačič Art
Published: January 2018

Assessment of sustainable position of selected countries is the important challenge in the last years. The sustainable theory has changed from the years of Rio conference and the availability of statistical resources is becoming better. Sustainable development is an important objective for each country. Enlargement of the EU has brought the current priorities and future direction of EU environmental policy sharply into focus. Enlargement process has increased the standards of environmental protection and social development. Significant environmental investments are necessary and the new members need to speed up their preparation for implementing the Gothenburg strategy “sustainable strategy”.
Research on the Development and Implementation of an Innovative Dairy Product
Authors: Tiţa Mihaela , Shamtsyan Mark
Published: January 2018

This research studies the perceptions of consumers regarding the consumption of products like cheese with flavored plants. The aromatic plants enrich the products with bioactive substances beneficial to the human body, or change their sensory qualities. We used the Swot analysis because it has a strong qualitative character for all functional domains within a company, especially in research and development of new products. The questionnaire has questions which collects the information necessary to achieve the objectives of the research
Photoperiod sensitivity of very early maturing Sri Lankan rice for flowering time and plant architecture
Authors: Padukkage Duwini , Senanayake Gamini , Geekiyanage Sudarshanee
Published: January 2018

Unavailability of information on photoperiod sensitivity of traditional rice is a disadvantage in breeding rice for adaptation to changing climatic conditions and for optimum plant architecture. This experiment was conducted to address the above problem through determination of variation in days to flowering (DF) and morphological traits of twenty eight selected very early maturing Sri Lankan traditional rice accessions under three photoperiod conditions: short day (SD), day neutral (DN) and long day (LD). Although rice is considered to be a facultative short day plant, 12 accessions (2088, 2979, 4615, 3970, 4245, 2091, 3450, 3883, 4217, 6741, 3738 and 3677) flowered significantly late under SD over LD, while accession 4223 flowered significantly late under DN. Fifteen accessions (3943, 4042, 4734, 3693, 4513, 3845, 4390, 4144, 4220, 4223, 4237, 4387, Bg 300, At 308 and Bg 379-2) flowered significantly early under SD over LD. Four accessions (3457, 3884, 6305 and 4358) were non-responsive to photoperiod for flowering time. Plant height significantly increased only in accession 4217 under SD. Higher plant height under DN was obtained from At 308 and accession 3883. Photoperiod did not affect plant height in accession 4237 and Bg 379-2. LD only or both LD and DN conditions produced significantly higher plant height irrespective of photoperiod responsiveness for DF in rest 26 accessions. Variation in response to photoperiod for DF and plant architecture in very early maturing Sri Lankan rice indicates the potential diversity of genetic factors for photoperiod response for future use in rice breeding.