bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
POLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE: NEW CONTEXT, REGULATIONS AND PROSPECTS
Authors: Popławska Anna , Wisz Roman
Published: February 2016

The article provides an overview of the developments in Poland after the collapse of communism in 1989 from the point of view of foreign language teaching, including a swift reorientation and transition from a public school system with Russian as the main foreign language, to a diversified language teaching market focused on teaching English and other languages. A particular stress is placed on a relatively new phenomenon, being an increased demand and new opportunities for teaching Polish as a foreign language to be further promoted as a result of anticipated amendments to legal regulations governing the status and certification of the Polish language
PIRATE TELEVISION STATIONS IN THE YEARS 1990-1994
Authors: Kurowski Rafał
Published: February 2016

The history of pirate, illegal television stations in Poland is presented here against the broader background of systemic transformations (both political and legal). According to the author of the article, it was an inevitable phenomenon, closely linked to the creation of the foundations of a democratic, lawful state with free-market economy. They were a factor which enforced acceleration of political change, legislative works and affected the change of the programming offer. Although pirate television stations were a short-lived phenomenon, they had huge impact on the later development of electronic media in Poland.
Analysis of Piezoelectric Semiconducting Solids by Meshless Method
Authors: Staňák P. , Sládek J. , Sládek V.
Published: February 2016

In this paper, a meshless local Petrov-Galerkin (MLPG) method is proposed to calculate mechanical and electrical responses of three-dimensional piezoelectric semiconductors under static load. The analyzed solid is discretized by a set of generally distributed nodal points distributed over 3D geometry. Local integral equations (LIEs) are derived from the weak form of governing equations over small local subdomains. The subdomains have a spherical shape with a nodal point located in its centre. A unit step function is used as the test functions in the local weak-form. The moving least-squares (MLS) method is adopted for the approximation of the physical quantities in the LIEs. The proposed MLPG method is verified by using the corresponding results obtained with the finite element method. Numerical examples are presented and discussed for various boundary conditions and loading scenarios to show the performance of the developed MLPG method for analysis piezoelectric semiconducting solids.
A Historical Review of the Nixon Administration and European Political Cooperation
Authors: Thi Nguyen Hang Thuy
Published: February 2016

With a historical approach, this paper examines the Nixon administration’s policy and stance towards European Political Cooperation (EPC). In December 1969, at The Hague Summit the leaders of the European Community expressed their determination for deepening European integration. The final communiqué of The Hague Summit stressed that the European Community’s desire to achieve EPC and to parallel the European Community’s economic increasing strength with a role to play in the world affairs. With this in mind, the paper will examine the impacts that Nixon administration’s attempts to rebalance U.S. foreign relations reflected in the opening to China and the détente with the Soviet Union had on European political integration. Then, it will be argued that the Nixon administration’s shifting foreign policy priorities can be seen as one of the driving forces of EPC. The paper puts forth that a European Community, whose weight was increased by first its economic integration and then its political cooperation, was seen by the Nixon administration as a challenge to the United States. It is concluded that after a long time of consistently supporting European integration as a means to secure peace and prosperity in Europe, the United States under the Nixon administration had to re-consider its foreign relations and rebalance its focus on the global chessboard. This rebalancing certainly impacted EPC in particular and the European integration process in general.
The Making of Cheap Labour Power: Nokia’s Case in Cluj
Authors: Mihály Zoltán
Published: February 2016

This paper describes the procedures that minimized labour costs in a typical offshore factory of a large corporation from the global market: the Nokia factory in Cluj, Romania. Two interrelated factors contributed to this. Firstly, the arrival of neoliberal economic rationality created favourable conditions for transnational capital’s free passage through the country. Secondly, under the imperative of flexibilization, the 2011 Labour Code modifications diminished employee rights and increased employers’ privileges, allowing companies such as Nokia to freely assemble the region’s labour force – engaging it in a complex production process – and disassemble it without any major consequences. Flexibilization permitted the use of outsourced labour power in the form of external employees, partly from rural areas, with short-term contracts and minimum wages.
Writers, Intellectuals, Politics: The Transformation of the Cultural Field in Post-Communist Romania
Authors: Lazăr Marius
Published: February 2016

The article aims to illustrate the mutual dependencies and transfers between different segments of the cultural field and areas of civic or political activities, together with the function these changes fulfil in redrawing individual trajectories and then the balance of forces. The leading idea is that, in relation with the literary field, the intellectual field is most sensitive to political changes and functions as a regulatory and legitimizing space for writers’ everyday practices, via its power to produce the criteria for public recognition and thus for symbolic inclusion and exclusion. This casts a different look on the claims for creative autonomy within the cultural field and its multiple dependencies on media, politics, the civic and the academic field, and the understanding of the inner logic of these domains through the lens of their complex interrelationship.
Alternative Medicine as Counter-Conduct: Therapeutic Spaces and Medical Rationality in Contemporary Romania
Authors: Rusu Corina
Published: February 2016

This study analyses the practice of medical pluralism in contemporary Romania, addressing the phenomenon of alternative medicine through the Foucauldian concept of counter-conduct. Employing in-depth interviews with general and alternative practitioners from two towns in Transylvania, and participant observations in spaces where they practice their knowledge, I describe how certain discursive acts reformulate the body and the subject-patient. Alternative therapists construct their practice in direct opposition to several parameters of biomedicine, such as the logic of diagnosis, treatment, and the praxis of patient’s visit to the general practitioner’s office, discussed in the paper. They define their approach as psychosomatic, and set-up the medical space as a confessional space, envisioning a holistic corporeality and the idea of the “inner doctor” in each patient. This conduct would supposedly make the subject “active” and “empowered”, as opposed to the “passive” patient succumbed to the diagnosis of conventional doctors.
On Phrase Structure building and labeling algorithms: towards a non-uniform theory of syntactic structures
Authors: Gabriel Krivochen Diego
Published: February 2016

This paper argues that the theory of phrase structure a certain linguistic approach assumes implies taking a stance on the formal nature of the computational procedures that generate that phrase structure. We will proceed by critically evaluating theories of phrase structure and labeling -which implies taking a structure as a unit for the purposes of further computations-, and building on and opposing to the proposals we review, we will claim that syntactic objects are not computationally uniform, and therefore the computational system in charge of establishing dependencies between symbolic objects within the mind is not uniform as well. We argue in favor of a linguistic-cognitive model which dynamically chooses different grammars based on the complexity of the input, and is capable of assigning a mixed phrase marker to an object that presents more than one computational pattern. Empirical evidence is provided in favor of our approach to phrase structure building, and further implications for a theory of labeling and predication are discussed as prolegomena to further research.
A New Species of the Genus Ramuliseta (Diptera, Ctenostylidae) from Madagascar, with a Key to Species
Authors: Korneyev V. A.
Published: February 2016

A New Species of the Genus Ramuliseta (Diptera, Ctenostylidae) from Madagascar, with a Key to Species. Korneyev, V. A. - Ramuliseta dolini sp. n. is described; it is similar to R. madagascariensis Hennig, 1961, differing by wing pattern; a key to three Afrotropical species is provided.
The Development of Olfactory Organ of Lissotriton Vulgaris (Amphibia, Caudata)
Authors: Kovtun M. F. , Stepanyuk Ya. V.
Published: February 2016

The Development of Olfactory Organ of Lissotriton vulgaris (Amphibia, Caudata). Kovtun, M. F, Stepanyuk, Ya. V. - Using common histological methods, the morphogenesis of olfactory analyzer peripheral part of Lissotriton vulgaris (Amphibia, Caudata) was studied, during the developmental period starting with olfactory pit laying and finishing with definitive olfactory organ formation. Special attention is paid to vomeronasal organ and vomeronasal gland development. Reasoning from obtained data, we consider that vomeronasal organ emerged as the result of olfactory epithelium and nasal cavity differentiation.
On the Synonymy of Micaria Modesta (Aranei, Gnaphosidae)
Authors: Mikhailov K. G.
Published: February 2016

On the Synonymy of Micaria modesta (Aranei, Gnaphosidae). Mikhailov, K. G. - On the basis of examination of the type series of it is synonymized with Micaria rossica Thorell, 1875, Micaria modesta Kroneberg, 1875, a widely distributed and morphologically variable species.
One-pot hydrothermal synthesis of H3PW12O40 supported on zeolite imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-8): a highly efficient heterogeneous catalyst for oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides and sulfones
Authors: Ebrahimi Negar , Fazaeli Razieh , Aliyan Hamid
Published: February 2016

The microporous, sodalite-like zeolite imidazolate framework ZIF-8 [Zn(MeIM); MeIM = 2-methylimidazole] has been selected as a host matrix for stabilization of guest H3PW12O40 (PW12) in this study. To modify ZIF-8 by H3PW12O40 (PW12), a one-pot hydrothermal synthesis strategy has been developed and used in the chemoselective oxidation of sulfides to the corresponding sulfoxides (and sulfones) in the presence of 30 % H2O2 in ethanol (and CH3CN) as solvent. Some of the advantages of our method include excellent yields, heterogeneous conditions, simplicity, compatibility with a variety of functionalities, and ease of isolation of the products. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive analysis X-ray spectroscopy, ultraviolet/visible rays, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller have been used to characterize the samples prepared. Large-sized pores and cavities of ZIF-8 become occupied by PW12 units on modification with PW12, as shown by analysis results. This method might bring light to new opportunities in the development of high-performance polyoxometalate catalysts using rapidly growing ZIFs as supports.
Is Transnational Private Regulation Potentially an Effective Means of Promoting Collective Industrial Relations?
Authors: Cradden Conor Gerard , Graz Jean-Christophe
Published: February 2016

This paper asks whether collective industrial relations can be promoted by means other than seeking change in public policy. Recent research points to the increasing significance of transnational private regulation (TPR) in developing economies. There is an emerging consensus that market incentives to improve wages and conditions of work can have a modest positive effect on measurable outcomes like hours of work, and health and safety. However, it appears that TPR has little impact on the capacity of workers to pursue such improvements for themselves via collective action. The paper takes a closer look at the potential of TPR to enhance worker voice and participation. It argues that this potential cannot be properly evaluated without understanding how local actors mobilise the social and political resources that TPR provides. The case studies presented show how different TPR schemes have been used by unions in Africa as a means to pursue the interests of members. The authors found that the scale of the impact of TPR in all of the contexts studied depended almost entirely on the existing capacities and resources of the unions involved. TPR led to the creation of collective industrial relations processes, or helped unions to ensure that certain enterprises participated in existing industrial relations processes, but did virtually nothing to enhance the political and organisational capacity of the unions to influence the outcomes of those processes in terms of wages and conditions of employment. The paper concludes that the potential of TPR to promote the emergence of collective industrial relations systems is very low.
The Role of Social Networks in Trade Union Recruitment: The Case Study of a Radical Union in Spain
Authors: Roca Beltran
Published: February 2016

In a general context of union decline, radical trade unions are experiencing a moderate growth in contemporary Spain. This article examines the channels through which workers join radical unions. It applies social network analysis to the study of recruitment in 2012 by the local branch of the Confederación Nacional del Trabajo (CNT) in El Puerto de Santa María, Spain. It concludes that pre-existing social networks (co-workers, family and friends) are essential in trade union recruitment. Due to the rapid growth of the local branch and to the characteristics of this union, the findings of this case study can shed light on the general debate on union membership.
"Forward and Not Forgetting" - How do Workers' Memories Impact International Solidarity?
Authors: Seeliger Martin
Published: February 2016

Collective remembering in multinational corporations is a field at the intersection of social memory studies and organisational science that has so far been widely neglected within the academic community. Drawing on empirical findings, this article analyses the impact of the organisational memories of South African workers’ representatives in processes of cross-border coordination. What is found is that strong ties of international solidarity, dating from the 1970s and 1980s, serve as an interpretative background against which today’s situation (which is constituted through different frameworks such as the end of apartheid and economic globalisation) is evaluated critically.
London 2012 Olympics and the Power of the British Trade Unions: A Golden Opportunity?
Authors: Russell Helen
Published: February 2016

Since their modern inception in 1896, the Olympics have grown in size and stature to become one of the most important mega-sport events. However, unlike other mega-sport events the Olympics has its own value-laden philosophy of “Olympism”, advocating sport as a vehicle for social change. This paper utilises Eric Batstone’s (1988) three-fold power schema of disruptive potential, labour scarcity and political influence to explore the impact of London 2012 on the power of the British unions. To achieve this, it draws on a comparative study of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) and the Musicians’ Union (MU). Based on findings generated from interviews and secondary-data analysis this paper will argue that the collective bargaining results of unions in the run-up to and during the 2012 Olympic Games were a reflection of the individual unions’ pre-existing power – those that had more disruptive, labour scarcity or political power prior to the Games were able to win more benefits for their members, whereas those with less were either less successful or did not succeed at all in their negotiations. In addition, when evaluating the power sources, an “Olympic factor” can be observed, which produces a differentiated impact on the power resources of the unions.
Saving Time Under Pressure: Effectiveness of Standardizing Pediatric Resuscitation Carts
Authors: Maul Erich , Latham Barbara , Westgate Philip M.
Published: February 2016

BACKGROUND:

Resuscitation situations are high risk and high stress, and delays in care can have significant influences on outcomes. Standardization of care protocols and equipment is postulated to decrease some of the stress and risk. The objective of this study was to document increased efficiency in finding resuscitation equipment in a standardized resuscitation cart.

METHODS:

A new standardized resuscitation cart design was created, and a multimedia education program addressing the new design was launched. A goal was set to find required equipment in <15 seconds. Five cohorts of 10 nurses were timed at finding randomly chosen items 1, 12, 49, 152, and 351 days after new cart launch. t tests were used to compare estimated acquisition times of requested items using the new cart system to the old cart system (baseline), and a separate regression analysis was used to model skill degradation.

RESULTS:

All pairwise comparisons showed significant decreases in mean acquisition time compared with baseline. One day after launch, the mean time to find items was reduced by 46%. Mean time to find requested items was below the goal of 15 seconds 12, 49, and 152 days after launch. This effect was lost by 351 days from launch. Regression analysis predicted the time to find items would exceed 15 seconds 287 days after launch.

CONCLUSIONS:

Standardizing the resuscitation cart design greatly reduced time to find items and was accomplished with reduced financial cost. Skill degradation did occur over time, and refresher training was required.
Educational Perspectives: Personal, Professional, and Practice—A Framework for Ethics Education
Authors: Shaw Margie H. , D’Angio Carl T. , Dadiz Rita
Published: February 2016

Health care professionals commonly encounter ethical issues in neonatology as part of their clinical practice. How they approach different situations that require ethical and legal consideration depends on the interaction among their personal values, their profession’s values and obligations, and the conduct of their profession’s practice as a whole. This relationship between the personal, the professional, and the practice provides a framework for learning about ethics and the law. In this article, this framework is used to present a sample curriculum on the Baby Doe regulations, which draws on several different educational strategies for teaching ethics.
Impact of Obesity on Uteroplacental Immunology and Placental Pathology
Authors: Morgan Terry K.
Published: February 2016

Obesity is a growing problem. Currently 1 in 3 reproductive-age women is obese. This is significant because obesity is associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), preterm birth, fetal growth abnormalities, preeclampsia, and stillbirth. Obesity alone increases the risk of stillbirth by threefold, whereas GDM increases this risk to approximately 10-fold. How obesity and GDM affect placental and fetal growth are beginning to be understood, but the underlying pathophysiology leading to bad pregnancy outcomes is essentially unknown. This review will discuss the effects of obesity and GDM on fetoplacental growth, the histopathologic features seen in these placentas, how obesity may affect uterine spiral artery remodeling, and why this leads to placental insufficiency. New insights suggest that abnormal regulation of maternal T cells and uterine natural killer cells may be important in the disease process, but much more research is needed.
The Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network Registry Data: Opportunities for Investigators
Authors: Murray Donna S. , Fedele Angie , Shui Amy , Coury Daniel L.
Published: February 2016

OBJECTIVE:

Patient registries can effectively collect data over a long period of time to provide a better understanding of the typical presentation of specific conditions. The autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have experienced a marked increase in reported prevalence over the past 20 years for reasons that are not completely clear. The Autism Treatment Network (ATN) Registry was established to facilitate investigations into a variety of questions critical to expanding our understanding of ASDs. Here we describe the establishment of the registry, its components, some of its findings to date, and opportunities for further use of this data.

METHODS:

Participants are eligible for enrollment into the ATN registry if they are between the ages of 2.0 and 17.6 years at the time of enrollment and meet criteria for ASD as determined by clinical consensus on the basis of specific diagnostic measures (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule/Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition/Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition). Baseline measures include demographics, autism assessment, cognitive assessment data, behavioral data, sleep habits, quality of life, sensory data, and treatments. Several of the measures are collected at annual follow-up visits.

RESULTS:

More than 6800 children with ASD have been enrolled in the Autism Speaks ATN registry. Data from the registry have been reported at numerous scientific meetings and in several publications and have led to new recommendations for best practices in the management of ASD.

CONCLUSIONS:

A patient registry for children and adolescents with ASD has had and will continue to have a significant impact on care for this population. Investigators are encouraged to query this database to further its impact by testing novel hypotheses and conducting preliminary proof-of-concept analyses.
Pharmacologic Treatment of Severe Irritability and Problem Behaviors in Autism: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Fung Lawrence K. , Mahajan Rajneesh , Nozzolillo Alixandra , Bernal Pilar , Krasner Aaron , Jo Booil , Coury Daniel , Whitaker Agnes , Veenstra-Vanderweele Jeremy , Hardan Antonio Y.
Published: February 2016

BACKGROUND:

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasingly recognized as a public health issue. Irritability and aggression (IA) often negatively affect the lives of people with ASD and their families. Although many medications have been tested for IA in ASDs in randomized controlled trials (RCTs), critical quantitative analyses of these trials are lacking in the literature.

OBJECTIVES:

To systematically review and quantitatively analyze the efficacy and safety of pharmacologic treatments for IA in youth with ASD.

DATA SOURCES:

Studies were identified from Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, and review articles.

METHODS:

Original articles on placebo-controlled RCTs of pharmacologic treatments of IA in youth age 2 to 17 years with ASD were included. Data items included study design, study goals, details of study participants, details of intervention, study results, statistical methods, side effects, and risks of bias. The primary study outcome measure was the effect size of reduction in the Aberrant Behavioral Checklist–Irritability (ABC-I) scores in the medication group, as compared with placebo, in RCTs using parallel groups design.

RESULTS:

Forty-six RCTs were identified. Compared with placebo, 3 compounds resulted in significant improvement in ABC-I at the end of treatment. Risperidone and aripiprazole were found to be the most effective, with the largest effect sizes. Sedation, extrapyramidal sides effects, and weight gain were assessed quantitatively.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although risperidone and aripiprazole have the strongest evidence in reducing ABC-I in youth with ASD, a few other compounds also showed significant efficacy with fewer potential side effects and adverse reactions in single studies.
The Quest for Deeper Meaning of Research Support
Authors:   University of Cape Town Libraries
Published: February 2016

Changing pedagogy and rapid growth of enabling technologies has significantly influenced research trends and processes within the higher education research ecosystem. These changes have triggered a series of positive responses from academic libraries such as the re-evaluation of their approach to research support services. The expansion of the suite of research support services such as bibliometrics, systematic reviews, data management, digital preservation and curation, Open Access and open journal publishing have moved the librarian from the periphery to the epicenter of research support. This transition is viewed by many as revolutionary in terms of support for research production. The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions’ Academic and Research Libraries Standing Committee’s preconference was held in Cape Town, South Africa, between 13 and 14 August 2015. The theme of the preconference was The quest for deeper meaning of research support. There was a blend of papers with young researchers sharing empirical research information while seasoned LIS researchers and practitioners shared ‘best case practices’.
Simulation of saturation process in a transuranium disposal facility
Authors: Takayama Yusuke , Iizuka Atsushi , Kawai Katsuyuki
Published: February 2016

Bentonite materials have been considered as a candidate material for engineered barriers in transuranium (TRU) waste disposal facilities due to their physical and chemical characteristics. Bentonite materials will be initially compacted and unsaturated. After closing the cavern, the bentonite material will become saturated through exposure to a percolating groundwater. It is therefore important to understand the behaviour of bentonite during saturation, which provides an initial condition of the disposal facilities. This paper explains a mathematical model which can express the saturation process. Subsequently, a series of numerical simulations were carried out. First, the swelling pressure of buffer and backfill was examined to verify the numerical model. It was confirmed that the simulated swelling pressure rises with water absorption, and swelling pressure test results from the literature are shown to be satisfactorily predicted by the numerical model, although these were slightly overestimated. Next, the mechanical behaviour of bentonite materials in a TRU waste disposal facility during the saturation process was examined using soil/water/air coupled finite-element method. Although it is difficult to examine the validity of analysis results because of the difficulty of an extremely long-term measurement, the qualitative behaviour of the saturation process could be inferred.
Strain rate dependence of the critical state line of reconstituted clays
Authors: Li P. Q. , Baudet B. A.
Published: February 2016

This paper investigates the strain rate sensitivity of the critical state line in clays. Shearing tests were performed on kaolin, chosen for its consistent behaviour and comparatively high permeability, where the strain rate history and the strain rate at failure were varied. The data show that the sensitivity of kaolin to changes in strain rate during shearing reduces and becomes negligible at large strains, so that a unique critical state line independent of the strain rate or strain rate history can be identified in v–q–p′ space. In compression, the changes remain persistent even at large stresses, with different normal compression lines for different rates.
Steel–concrete bond behaviour of self-compacting concrete with recycled aggregates
Authors: Wang Huai-liang
Published: February 2016

Tests were conducted to examine the bond of reinforcement in self-compacting concrete (SCC) produced using recycled coarse aggregate (RCA). The study considered one natural coarse aggregate, two sources of RCA (concrete tested in the laboratory and concrete from demolished old structures), two types of RCA (pre-treated and untreated), three RCA replacement percentages (25%, 50% and 100%) and two types of steel rebar (plain and deformed). The results indicate that the compressive and tensile strengths of the recycled aggregate self-compacting concretes (RA-SCCs) were greatly influenced by the RCA replacement ratio, and the RCA source and type. Using pre-treated RCA, the RCA replacement ratio had little effect on the bond strength of RA-SCC. There was an obvious reduction of the RA-SCC's bond capacities when the pre-treated RCA was replaced with the low-quality untreated RCA obtained from demolished old structures. Based on regression analysis of the experimental data, an empirical bond stress–slip relationship between RA-SCC and steel rebar was established and it was also proved that the bond strength predictions based on the provisions of existing codes (ACI 318 and GB 50010) were compatible with the experimental results.
Evidence for aeolian origins of heuweltjies from buried gravel layers
Authors: Cramer Michael D. , Von Holdt Johanna , Khomo Lesego , Midgley Jeremy J.
Published: February 2016

Although heuweltjies (19–32 m diameter) dominate the surface of much of the southwestern Cape of South Africa, their origins, distribution and age remain controversial. Current hypotheses are that the heuweltjies are (1) constructed by the excavation and mounding habits of burrowing animals; (2) the result of erosion by water of areas between patches protected from fluvial action by denser vegetation or (3) the product of localised aeolian sediment accumulation beneath denser vegetation associated with termitaria. At a site where quartz-containing gravels occur on the soil surface in areas between heuweltjies, these gravels were found to extend as a relatively intact layer of uniform concentration from the inter-mound area into the mound at the same plane as the surrounding soil surface. This buried layer suggests that heuweltjies were either built-up by deposition on a previous soil surface layer or eroded from sediment accumulated above the buried gravel layer. Mounds contain a relatively large proportion of silt consistent with sediment deposition. Mound sediment elemental composition was strongly correlated with that of local shale, indicating a local source of sediment. Pedogenesis was considerably more advanced off- than on-mound. There was no evidence of extensive regional aeolian sediment mantling over the vast area in which the heuweltjies occur. These findings and observations support the aeolian deposition hypothesis of heuweltjie origins combined with a degree of erosion, rather than a termite bioturbation hypothesis or a predominantly erosion-based hypothesis.
Radioactive nuclides in phosphogypsum from the lowveld region of South Africa
Authors: Msila Xolani , Labuschagne Frans , Barnard Werner , Billing David G.
Published: February 2016

We evaluated the suitability of phosphogypsum from the Lowveld region of South Africa (LSA), for the manufacturing of building materials, with reference to (1) the National Nuclear Regulator Act 47 of 1999 and (2) the radioactivity associated risks as quantified in terms of the external and internal hazard indices, the activity concentration index and the radium equivalent. The distribution of radioactive nuclides in the LSA phosphogypsum was also examined. Analyses of 19 samples of the phosphogypsum show that phosphogypsum contains lower activity concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive nuclides of uranium and thorium and their progeny than the 500 Bg/kg limit set for regulation in South Africa. The potassium-40 (40K) activity concentration was below the minimum detectable amount of 100 Bq/kg. The values obtained for external and internal hazard indices and the activity concentration index were: 2.12 0.59, 3.44 0.64 and 2.65 0.76 respectively. The calculated radium equivalent Raeq was 513 76Bq/kg. The final decision regarding phosphogypsum’s suitability for use as a building material should consider scenarios of use.
botanical content in the South African curriculum: A barren desert or a thriving forest?
Authors: Abrie Amelia L.
Published: February 2016

Botanists who are interested in education have often expressed their dismay at how plant sciences are neglected in Biology curricula, despite the important roles that plants play. While botanists in several overseas countries have studied the ways in which plant sciences are represented in curricula, no research has been done on how botany is neglected in the South African curriculum. Currently, the South African curriculum is known as the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) for Grades R–12. In this study, a comparison was made among the content that is generally taught in introductory plant sciences courses, the American Society of Plant Biologists’ principles for plant biology education and the relevant CAPS documents. The time spent on plant, animal or human-focused content was established and compared at both phase and grade level. It was found that while the curriculum addresses all the major concepts in the plant sciences, very little time was being allocated to exclusively plant-focused content as compared to animal and human-focused content. This neglect was particularly prevalent in the Foundation Phase. The way in which the content is structured and presented in the curriculum may in all likelihood not be sufficient to provide a strong knowledge and skills foundation in the plant sciences, nor will it encourage the development of positive values towards plants. While consensus regarding the content of a curriculum will be difficult to achieve, awareness of potential gaps in the curriculum should be brought to the attention of the botanical and educational communities.
Visitors’ views of human origins after visiting the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site
Authors: Lelliott Anthony
Published: February 2016

The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, west of Johannesburg, was designated in 1999 because of its importance as a locality where numerous hominid fossils have been discovered since the 1930s. In this article, responses to questions from a survey of more than 800 adult visitors to the Cradle of Humankind visitor centres are analysed, covering their understanding of the concept of the ‘cradle’ and their views on human evolution. Findings indicated that 63% of the respondents conceptualised the cradle as the origin or birthplace of humankind, and a similar proportion thought that nowhere else could be called the Cradle of Humankind (77% of people of South African nationality thought this). Nearly 60% of respondents accepted that humans evolved from an ape-like ancestor, while 25% disagreed. South Africans were less likely to accept human evolution than their international counterparts. The great majority of participants who accepted human evolution based their agreement on various forms of evidence and their knowledge of evolution. A religious foundation was used for their rationale by 60% of those who rejected evolution, with 33% citing evidence for their rejection. The implications of the findings are discussed in the light of public awareness and human origins.
Effect of osteopathic maneuvers in the treatment of asthma: review of literature
Authors: Lago Rodrigo Medina Vasconcelos , Filho Marco Antônio Figueiredo da Silva , Santos Alan Carlos Nery dos
Published: February 2016

Introduction: Despite the high prevalence of asthma, there is no consensus in the literature regarding non-drug methods for thetreatment of their symptoms. Thus, holistic therapies such as osteopathy can be viable alternatives since evidence has shown benefits ofosteopathic manipulative treatment of clinical conditions such as asthma. Objective: To gather evidence tested osteopathic approach totreating the symptoms, respiratory dysfunction, medication use and quality of life of patients with asthma. Method: Electronic searcheswere conducted between October and November 2014. It was used as descriptors crossed, or alone in the fields “words”, “subjectdescriptors”, “title words”, “title” and “abstract” the following keywords combined with Boolean operators AND and OR: OsteopathicMedicine, osteopathic manipulation, osteopathy, Spinal Manipulation, Manual Therapy, Therapy Skull Sacral, Chiropractic, ChiropracticManipulation, Asthma. Initially they were collected all the articles that addressed the manual features used by osteopathic or chiropracticcorrelated with the asthma treatment published between 1998 and 2014. Results: It was found 35 articles, of which 28 were excludedbecause they did not conform to pre-defined criteria. Thus, seven works were part of this review. Four of them are clinical trials, twocase studies and a pilot study. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that osteopathic manipulative techniques can be used as non-medicatedadditional resource in the treatment of patients with asthma. The reviewed studies have identified improving the quality of life, subjectiveperception of symptoms and reduce the use of drugs.
Contribution of ICF on the functionality of individuals with chronic low back pain
Authors: Santos Bárbara Cordeiro , Scharan Karoleen Oswald , Fontana Mariane Benicio , Moser Auristela Duarte de Lima
Published: February 2016

Introduction: The use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in clinical settings has beenemphasized with the objective of establishing a standardized language among professionals, as well as to collect and interpret relatedresults to health and states related to it in different cultures from a biopsychosocial perspective. Objective: To define the functionalprofile of from patients with chronic low back pain based on the International Classification of functioning, disabilities and health (ICF).Method: During February-March of 2014 a functional questionnaire based on the ICF was applied for 42 adults. Results: The meanage was 47.8 (± 16.9) years, with predominance of women (69%). Two categories and one subcategory represented higher percentageof difficulty: Using transport (54.8%), Household tasks (62.5%) and Bending (69.1%). In Environmental Factors, 50% of the samplereported having difficulty accessing public environments. The categories of self-care domain did not show high percentage of difficulty.Conclusion: The use of the functional questionnaire was able to determine the functional profile of the subjects, contributing to subsidizeinterventions in a program of Back School. Approaches may be more targeted based on codes where there were greater difficultiesand may be more specific to participants daily life.
Evaluation factors for determining the quality of life of physically independent elderly
Authors: Costa Viviane de Souza Pinho , Molari Mário , Santos João Paulo Manfré dos , Freitas Eliane Regina Sernache de , Jr Rubens Alexandre da Silva , Fernandes Karen Barros Parron
Published: February 2016

Introduction: Brazil has experienced an epidemiological transition process, characterized by an aging population, with a rise in chronic diseases and reduction in infectious diseases. In this context, aging brings about the presence of multimorbidities and the use of multiple drugs associated with a worse quality of life of those people. Objectives: To analyze the determinants of quality of life in physically independent elderly. Method: Cross-sectional study of 498 elderly physically independent, divided into three groups according to the presence of comorbidities: I) Control group: no comorbidities; II) Group comorbidities: <3 comorbidities; and III) multimorbidities Group: ≥ 3 comorbidities and were also stratified on the use of medications in: I) Control group: non-medicated; II) medicated Group: <3 drugs; and III) polymedicated Group: ≥ 3 drugs. Structured questionnaires were applied to survey data on socio-demographic characteristics, history of comorbidities and medication use, as well as the SF-36 questionnaire as a quality of life assessment method. Results: Statistically significant differences were found in the quality of life regarding gender, educational level, economic status and multimorbidities. The results show that in elderly populations there is inequality in non-white races and among women in matters regarding access to health services. These groups show bigger probability to have more serious chronic conditions and a bad perception of health and quality of life. It is also very clear that in third world countries, a lot of elderly live in poverty having difficulties in the area of health, a major challenge to the implementation of public policies for the care of those people. Lastly, the results make it evident that the aging process has a direct relationship to the amount of installed diseases and increased use of medications. Conclusion: As much as the results showed that the decline of quality of life in physically independent elderly is related to the presence of multimorbidities and high medication intake, researchers state that people can age with a good quality of life if they opt for a successful aging process where significant activities gain space along with daily actions.
EM BUSCA DE UM SENTIDO: O DIREITO ENQUANTO PROCURA PELA ‘JUSTIÇA’ NATIVA EM OPOSIÇÃO AOS ‘CRIMES’ DO ESTRANGEIRO
Authors: FREITAS Ramiro Ferreira
Published: February 2016

O presente artigo pretende investigar como a obra O Estrangeiro, de Albert Camus, pode apresentar contribuição relevante para formação de uma consciência jurídica sustentada por (pré)conceitos. Através de consulta bibliográfica e reflexão pessoal, foi possível sublinhar mecanismos (quase sempre imperceptíveis ao observador descuidado) com potenciais aplicações irracionais por parte de membros do alto escalão decisório. As escolhas feitas pelos tribunais ou, até mesmo, por juízes, precisam, sempre, atender às evidências (extraídas dos fatos relevantes) e não podem, ao arrepio do bom senso, ganhar tom inquisitorial contrário ao Estado Democrático.
O SER ESTRANGEIRO NO BRASIL: IMPLICAÇÕES FILOSÓFICAS, JURÍDICAS E SOCIOCULTURAIS
Authors: PINTO Emerson De Lima , KUSSLER Leonardo Marques
Published: February 2016

Ser estrangeiro significa estar alheio a um determinado conjunto de regras, de direitos, de deveres, de costumes. L’Étranger, de Albert Camus, revela um sujeito que vive na condição de estrangeiro dentro de sua própria comunidade exclusivamente por não conseguir se expressar de acordo com o padrão comportamental esperado em um determinado grupo de seres humanos. Outra situação de ser estrangeiro é a vivida por aqueles que saem de seus países para viver uma vida diferente em uma realidade de um país que não lhe é próprio, com o qual ainda não se formaram raízes, o que implica uma série de questões filosóficas, jurídicas e sociais. Na primeira seção deste artigo, abordaremos a obra camusiana e explicitaremos, hermeneuticamente, a relevância de alguns conceitos que nos ajudam a compreender a relação do ser estrangeiro no Brasil. Na segunda seção, destacaremos o status do estrangeiro, sob a perspectiva do manual do estrangeiro, que apresenta o aparato legal brasileiro com relação aos direitos e deveres do estrangeiro em solo brasileiro, e sua adequação ao Direito Internacional com relação ao acolhimento e ao tratamento destes.
A ANGÚSTIA COMO POSSIBILIDADE DA LIBERDADE: UM DIÁLOGO ENTRE KIERKEGAARD E CAMUS NA OBRA O ESTRANGEIRO
Authors: FELDENS Guilherme De Oliveira
Published: February 2016

 O presente artigo objetiva fazer uma análise da obra O estrangeiro de Albert Camus, tendo como ponto de referência a ideia de angústia existencial trabalhada por Kierkegaard. Por meio desse estudo, pretende-se verificar a influência do filósofo dinamarquês na construção do personagem principal da obra de Camus, ressaltando o absurdo que cerca a existência humana.     
O ESTRANGEIRO E A RETÓRICA JURÍDICA
Authors: WIEDEMANN NETO Ney , Da Silva SOUZA Paulo Alex
Published: February 2016

O texto examina o livro “O Estrangeiro”, de Albert Camus, e a sua atualidade, em uma aproximação entre o Direito e a Literatura, com foco na questão da retórica jurídica.
NARRATIVIDADE, COERÊNCIA E NORMATIVIDADE. NOTAS A PARTIR DE O ESTRANGEIRO, DE ALBERT CAMUS
Authors: ROSENFIELD Luis
Published: February 2016

O presente ensaio busca investigar as implicações entre narratividade, normatividade e coerência a partir do romance O estrangeiro (1942), do escritor franco-argelino Albert Camus. Destaca-se a noção de ausência de coerência narrativa do protagonista-narrador da obra, Mersault como forma de demonstrar a natureza comunicativa e linguística do direito, e das implicações desse fenômeno. Procura-se, com isso, sublinhar a importância da narratividade no direito, e de como isso se apresenta  como condição de possibilidade para compreensão de determinados fenômenos jurídicos.
O ESTRANGEIRO OU PORQUE RELACIONAR MULTICULTURALISMO, CIDADANIA E GLOBALIZAÇÃO
Authors: SELAYARAM Renato Da Silva
Published: February 2016

A partir do livro O estrangeiro, de Albert Camus, procuramos fazer uma leitura dos conceitos de multiculturalismo, cidadania e globalização, vinculando-os e mostrando as diferenças e proximidades existentes entre eles. A negação, consciente ou inconsciente, em reconhecer direitos àquele que não pertence a uma determinada comunidade não é algo novo. Entretanto, torna-se preocupante, sobretudo neste inicio de século, quando mais do que em qualquer outra época é necessária uma política de Estado para a sua assimilação.
A RELAÇÃO DA INTOLERÂNCIA SOFRIDA PELOS MIGRANTES A PARTIR DA ANÁLISE DA OBRA DE ALBERT CAMUS
Authors: SCHUCK PINTO JOSEANE MARIELE
Published: February 2016

RESUMO: O presente objetiva, sob a ótica das relações internacionais, comparar a obra de Albert Camus: O Estrangeiro, que bem retrata um cenário de preconceitos e intolerância em relação ao personagem principal,  Meursault, com a questão migratória contemporânea.  Ocorre que a obra remonta ao cometimento do homicídio de um árabe pelo protagonista, dando início ao seu julgamento. Destaca-se que Meursault foi considerado culpado não pelo crime de homicídio, mas por desrespeitar preceitos morais reconhecidos como absolutos pela sociedade local. E, nesse sentido se procurará relacionar a intolerância enfrentada pelos migrantes, em um contexto do não reconhecimento do outro, enquanto outro, deflagrando, por sua vez a xenofobia.
Physicochemical Properties of Gelatin Extracted from Fivelined Threadfin Bream (Nemipterus tambuloides) Skins
Authors: Pranoto Yudi , Istigani Mawaddah , Santoso Umar , Lestari Lily Arsanti , Erwanto Yuny , Rohman Abdul
Published: February 2016

Gelatin has been extracted from fivelined threadfin bream fish using 0.05 M acetic acid. Extraction process was carried out at varying temperature of 60, 80 and 95oC for 3 h. Result indicated that extraction at 80oC showed the highest gel strength (187 Bloom) with viscosity of 12 cP. In fact, it produced the lowest yield (30.45%) with melting point of 31.67oC. Higher gelatin yield was shown by extraction at 95oC (38%) and the higher melting point was shown by extraction at 60oC and 95oC (around 34oC). Amino acids composition of the selected gelatin was similar to that of bovine gelatin. At concentration of 1-3% (w/v), emulsion stability index (ESI) of fish gelatin was lower than bovine gelatin. Emulsion activity index (EAI) was dependent on the gelatin concentration, at level of 1% and 2%, EAI of fish gelatin was considerably higher than bovine gelatin. At gelatin 3%, EAI of fish gelatin and bovine gelatin was similar. It suggests that the gelatin from fivelined threadfin bream skin has comparable physicochemical properties against bovine gelatin.

Keywords: Fivelined threadfin bream, gelatin, physicochemical properties. 