bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A longitudinal study on language learning vocabulary in L2 Spanish
Authors: Pardo-Ballester Cristina
Published: July 2018

Some learners perform better on listening tests that include visual input instead of only audio (Wagner, 2008) while others have found no difference in the performance of participants in the two test formats (Batty, 2015). These mixed results make it necessary to examine the role of using audio and video in listening comprehension (LC). This study examines the effect of input modality on the learning of new vocabulary with intermediate L2 learners. The study gave four versions of the same text: a baseline in audio format, a baseline in video format, a redundancy-enhanced version in audio format and a redundancy-enhanced version in video format. Three hundred sixty two intermediate learners of Spanish participated in this study over a period of three consecutive semesters. Results about input modality indicated audio or video does not seem to matter in responding correctly to the vocabulary items. However, the redundancy-enhanced version in audio and video formats helped learners to respond correctly to vocabulary items when enrolled in face2face-blended courses compared to online-hybrid courses.
Investigating the Colombian University System: What Does the Future Hold?
Authors: Sakkal Ali
Published: July 2018

While there are encouraging recent narratives of Colombia as a booming center of innovation and economic growth, this positive commentary does not always match accounts regarding the country’s universities. This study investigates Colombia’s drastically changing university system through an analysis connecting larger policy initiatives to the sentiments and perceptions of stakeholders at the ground levels of university functions. The focus here is on recent policy decisions, what they look like at the ground level, and how some of these revisions compare to university trends elsewhere. This investigation of various stakeholders at a large public university in Colombia sheds light on growing student and university debt, modifications in university funding, the rapid growth of low-quality private universities, changing roles of faculty, and issues of student access. Recommendations include a more concerted use of student loan disbursement and sustained investment in the public universities.
Game-based learning in an Industrial Service Operations Management Course
Authors: Tetik Müge , Öhman Mikael , Rajala Risto , Holmström Jan
Published: July 2018

This study explores how a game-based approach supports students’ learning in a graduate course on industrial service operations management. Aalto Manufacturing Game (AMG) has been played for several years as a part of an Industrial Management course to provide students with a realistic view of industrial services and asset management. The game illustrates supply chain dynamics and asset management challenges, with a focus on the quality deterioration problem in service provision (Oliva & Sterman, 2001). In this paper, we evaluate the effect of AMG on participants’ learning based on game session feedback and written exam answers. We also evaluate the game as a learning experience trough feedback, observations, and interviews. The findings suggest that the gamified version of teaching provides students with the opportunity to learn by doing while having fun in the class. The game enables participants to socially construct knowledge, raising the effectiveness of teaching supply chain challenges by simulating real world problems from different perspectives of actors involved in operations. Based on our research we argue that the game enhances the learning experience through emotionally engaging students in the activity. To this end, the learning objectives should be embedded in the game dramaturgy.
EMI Teacher Training at the University of A Coruña
Authors: Crespo Begoña , Llanos Tojeiro Angela
Published: July 2018

TThe aim of this paper is to offer an overview of how an EMI (English as a Medium of Instruction) programme was designed at the University of A Coruña (Spain) to implement courses taught in English by its teaching staff. The final goals of this initiative were twofold: to attract an increasing number of foreign students through mobility or as new admissions; and to promote internationalisation at home for both students and lecturers. Some of the steps taken in this process (from coaching to EMI) are explained as well as the principles on which a particular teaching methodology for non-native speakers of English is based. Content knowledge and a B2 level of English is presupposed, but a further level of teacher professionalism is aspired to, involving commitment, reflection, responsibility. A shift in focus, from teacher- to student-centred learning is required. Instructors should show their students how to learn and guide them along their learning paths. This implies a shift in the original mindset that is strongly rooted in particular teaching traditions. Communicative competence is also a key factor: knowing how to transmit and communicate is at least as important as the material content itself, and lecturers should be good communicators.
Duet Lectorials: An Engaging Approach to Interdisciplinary Teaching
Authors: Slattery Robyn Maree , Taylor Renea Anne , Doerig Christian Daniel
Published: July 2018

Duet Lectorials were delivered to third-year students undertaking their final ‘cap-stone’ unit by two experts straddling two inter-related but distinct biomedical disciplines. This interdisciplinary teaching approach was introduced for two reasons: firstly, to address a gap in integrated learning at the interface between biomedical disciplines; and secondly, to support non- teaching focused, research experts, in the engaging delivery of lectures. Compared with traditional lecture delivery, students who had received Duet Lectorials reported an increase in their enjoyment of learning, a greater interest and engagement with the subject content, and, most importantly, improved in-depth understanding of the topic through an integrated perspective of the two disciplines. This positive outcome in student learning was further validated by improved performance in objective assessment tasks. Lecturers delivering Duet Lectorials reported a deepening of their own interdisciplinary knowledge that stimulated their enjoyment of teaching. Thus, interdisciplinary teaching using interactive Duet Lectorials emerges as a powerful approach to improve both student and teacher engagement and learning in the classroom, and brings a strong contribution to breaking the discipline-specific “silo” mentality in the teaching of complex aspects of biomedical sciences.
Active methodologies and teaching performance: a necessary relationship in the field of education
Authors: Luis M. Isabel , De la torre Cruz Tamara , Huelmo Jonathan , Llamazares M. Camino , Ruiz Esther , Palmero Carmen , Jiménez Alfredo
Published: July 2018

En la presente comunicación, presentamos el proyecto desarrollado dentro del Grupo de Innovación Docente (APAC) de la Facultad de Educación de la Universidad de Burgos: "Metodologías Activas y Desempeño Docente: un camino hacia la inclusión en el aula". El objetivo principal de este proyecto es aportar evidencia empírica sobre el impacto que tiene el uso de metodologías activas en el rendimiento docente en el aula. Sus resultados son la base para la transformación de la formación inicial del profesorado, porque las universidades son responsables de la formación de los profesores que estarán a la vanguardia de las escuelas en el 21 stdo. Por lo tanto, se les debe ofrecer acceso a los recursos en su educación inicial y de por vida que permitan el cambio, permitiéndoles construir el paradigma de la educación inclusiva, sostenible y de calidad.
A study on assessment results in a large scale Flipped Teaching Experience
Authors: Turró Carlos , Morales Juan Carlos , Busquets-Mataix Jaime
Published: July 2018

During the last academic year, Universitat Politècnica de Valencia (UPV) developed a large scale experience in flipped teaching (FT), with 64 different courses and 3083 students (2512 unique). Teachers could decide to participate in the experience on their own, and in quite a number of courses we have groups with FT and groups without it. Assessment of the students was done using classical systems (mostly written exams). Evaluation of the experience was done through several ways: First we did a qualitative survey to teachers and students, and then we carried out an analytical study about the results of the assessments, comparing between years, between FT and classical courses and also internally in the courses with FT and classical groups. Results of this analysis show that students like the FT system and that they got statistically significant better results in the classical assessments, with at least a 5% gain. Also we have no correlation results with the perceived teacher quality and the student group size. So this study allows to verify the capabilities of FT approach in higher educational institutions.
Students’ Learning and Satisfaction In An Alternative Learning Centre In Malta
Authors: Schembri Antoinette
Published: July 2018

This paper is a small-scale research study done by the author. It seeks to find the perceptions of students attending an alternative learning centre,with an emphasis on vocational education, with regards to their learning. This study is situated on the island of Malta and the five students interviewed currently attend this school, which opened in 2014, and is the only one of its kind on the island. The main results obtained are that, on the whole, the students are happy to attend this school. They drew comparisons between their school life in the previous four years of secondary education in the mainstream college and in the alternative learning centre. They enjoyed the lessons because they were learning the subjects that they wanted to learn, they enjoyed the small class size,and  the individual attention. They felt part of a big family and appreciated the fact that the teachers genuinely cared for them. They also mentioned things that should be improved, like more resources for the classrooms and a major renovation of the school building. The conclusion drawn here is that while the students are happy, care must be taken so that the concerns raised are addressed.
Education for innovation: engineering, management and design multidisciplinary teams of students tackling complex societal problems through Design Thinking
Authors: Charosky Guido , Hassi Lotta , Leveratto Luciana , Papageorgiou Kyriaki , Ramos Juan , Bragos Ramon
Published: July 2018

Innovation education involves a different approach both for professors and students. It requires understanding people, technology and business to develop truly innovative solutions that can succeed in the market. The aim of this paper is to analyze the benefits, learning outcomes and self-learning perception about innovation from students participating in an innovative learning experience co-developed by an Electrical Engineering School, a Business School and a Design Institute. Challenge Based Innovation (CBI) is a program created by CERN to host educational projects where multidisciplinary teams of students tackle innovation challenges. The objective is to design solutions to social problems through Design Thinking. It was observed that engineering students, after this learning experience increase their understanding of user’s needs and the relevance of focusing on them when approaching innovation challenges. Also, they improve their ability to ideate break-through solutions thanks to a better understanding of the relationship between people, business and technology due to their in-depth interaction with management and design students. Furthermore, their self-confidence is significantly increased along with their entrepreneurial skills. The level of engineering student’s understating of innovation as a whole is higher with this approach compared to standard design-build projects performed at the Engineering Schools.Keywords: Design Thinking, Innovation, Challenge Based Education, Multidisciplinary projects
Procrastination: the poor time management among university students
Authors: Naturil-Alfonso Carmen , Peñaranda David Sánchez , Vicente Jose Salvador , Marco-Jiménez Francisco
Published: July 2018

Academic procrastination is a fact related to the delay or postpone of academic work until last minute. This phenomenon is evident in a vast majority of university students, and its occurrence is increasing. In order to analyse possible causes and/or solutions, we studied if longer time for accomplishing an assignment incentives or avoids procrastination among university students. Results showed that both short and long time-frame groups tended to procrastinate in the same way. Additionally, academic grades did not revealed differences between groups, as the procrastination was the same between groups. Thus, this study shows that even with longer period of time to accomplish a task, university students tend to procrastinate, and thus seem to have a negative effect on their assignment grades. Therefore, it seems a current problem and measures should be developed in order to solve it.
“I see students’ digital practices as an extreme impoverishment”: The Non-Use of the Competences Framework and Stigmatisation of Technology of Italian Secondary School Teachers
Authors: Vezzoli Yvonne , Pagani Valentina
Published: July 2018

The research aims to explore empirically the competences-based teaching and assessment practices of 19 Italian secondary school teachers through a focus group methodology. The meeting was the starting point for a professional training course on inclusive learning design using multimodal digital environments, i.e. social network sites and the Web 2.0. Results show that the competences-based framework adopted at an institutional level more than one decade ago did not impact the knowledge-based teaching and “intuitive” assessment practices of participants. These conclusions advance the understanding of the weak relationship between educational policies and teaching practices in the Italian context. Furthermore, interesting limits toward pedagogical and digital innovation in secondary school emerged. In particular, the learning practices of young people in social network sites and Web 2.0 were identified as the most influencing factor on the perceived detachment between participants and their students. As a consequence, teachers stigmatised these technologies, revealing marked tensions while introducing ITC and innovative digital pedagogies based on new forms of learning.
Vegetable gardens for educational purposes: a specific toolkit for didactic contexts
Authors: Mastrantoni Claudia , Mazzarello Martina
Published: July 2018

The paper reports on how urban agriculture, as a sharing system, is becoming a way to increase aggregation, grouping, relationships in a local context, which could turn into an educational and emotional resource within the urban context. This paper will examine the design of community gardens within semi-public spaces in didactic context (schools, associations, learning spaces). One of the research objectives is to improve the quality of urban landscapes by answering citizens’ need for social interaction and fostering the role that community plays in it. Through co-design sessions with different communities related to specific schools, the design output aims at the creation of a systemic space made by a vegetable garden and his convivial spaces. This would strengthen internal local connections, and trigger positivity and better learning performances among users. The expected result is a set of design tools and guidelines that allow these realities to deal with the creation of vegetable gardens by defining the layouts, the functions and the experiences.
Critting The Crit
Authors: Flynn Patrick
Published: July 2018

This paper critically examines the role of the standard method of assessment for architectural students internationally, known as the ‘crit’. It examines the pedagogical theory underlying this approach whereby students pin up their work and make a presentation on it, and receive verbal feedback on it, in front of a room of their peers and academic staff. Recent critiques of this hundred-year old approach are also discussed, and the reality of the ‘crit’ is examined through analysis of practice. This leads into a discussion of a semester-long piece of action research in this academic year in which academic staff have piloted new methods of formative and summative student-centred assessment without a ‘crit’. Feedback from students and academic staff has been extremely positive, and is discussed along with the lessons learned from this pilot semester. The next steps in this ongoing piece of action research are also briefly outlined.
Defining a taxonomy of employability skills for 21st-century higher education graduates
Authors: Ornellas Adriana
Published: July 2018

This paper aims to discuss the theoretical development and the practical validation of a taxonomy of skills for boosting new graduates employability at Higher Education Institutions (HEI). The taxonomy was developed within the framework of the project Skill Up: Matching graduates' skills and labour world demands through authentic learning scenario. The project, funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union, is a strategic partneship in the field of Higher Education (HE) that involves six partners (four universities, a VET school and an employer representative) from three European countries (Spain, Sweden and Germany). For the definition and validation of the taxonomy two methods were applied: a) a literature review of studies and reports that in recent years have established different frameworks and lists of skills crucial for HE graduates to acquire; b) an asynchronous online focus group involving various stakeholders (undergraduates, graduates, employers' representatives, lecturers and counsellors) to validate the taxonomy. The paper presents the resulting list of employability skills sorted into four clusters: cognitive, methodological, social and subject-specific.
Transforming assessment practices in a higher education institution
Authors: Tomas Carmen
Published: July 2018

A review of institutional practices is presented to elicit the extent to which assessment practices really align with the principles of the standards-based paradigm. An institutional case presents the creation of a framework for practice and its use in evaluating institutional practices. Insights at institutional level suggest that mainstream practices and cultural change may need transformation. In particular, design, student engagement, marking and review of assessments may require strengthening. The ensuing institutional agenda to address central areas of concern have evolved into a range of institution-wide initiatives. The case illustrates how faculty and centre projects may work together to enhance the shared understanding of institutional  “good” assessment practice and the development of communities of practice.
Increasing significance of external quality assurance in higher education: current strategies applied by European agencies
Authors: Sánchez Chaparro Teresa , Gomez Frías Victor
Published: July 2018

Quality assurance of higher education programmes and institutions has been one of the cornerstones of the Bologna process since its creation. However, after more than one decade of implementation of the European quality assurance framework, many national systems are suffering from the so-called “evaluation fatigue”. From a thorough revision of key sectorial sources, this paper identifies a number of strategies currently being tested by European quality assurance agencies aimed at increasing significance and reducing bureaucracy of external quality assurance processes.
Diverse Women Faculty Experiences Using Identity and Relational Concepts to teach Cultural Competence
Authors: Williams LaShawn
Published: July 2018

This article reviews and engages a qualitative section of Williams’ 2017 research study that aimed to explore faculty experiences using relational teaching concepts when delivering cultural competence content. Multiple experiences were common to respondents from the results obtained at completion of the survey. Implications for social work education, faculty mentorship and support are discussed. It was concluded that there is an express need for early intervention on behalf of doctoral students being mentored for junior faculty teaching appointments, the use of identity is a healthy and connecting touchstone in social work education classrooms and ongoing work is needed to further engage the work of deconstructing privilege by using professional and personal identities to connect students to content for effective knowledge transfer. Keywords: Social Work; Diversity; Relational-Cultural Theory; Cultural Competence; Relational Teaching.
Drawing as dialogue
Authors: Brunetti Federico Alberto
Published: July 2018

The training paths are essentially based on the acquisition of knowledge in which the transmission of knowledge is organized starting and through the acquisition, and capacity for further modulation, of textual or alphanumeric languages. An area of particular intellectual value is however normally recognized and delegated to the activities defined as creative or artistic. The very concept of "vision", typical of the current methodologies of strategic thinking, refers to the ability to communicate through visual interpretive hypotheses, the experience of reality. In Italy a new regulation called "School-Work Alternation" has been introduced in the training courses, for the development of those attitudes of so-called soft-skills in operational and relational responsibility, for a positive outlook in working contexts. The case study of this manuscrippt concernes the students of the Liceo Artistico who forge their attitudes to know how to deal the conceptual mediations between visible and invisible, between visual thinking and concept vision images. The Drawing accompanies the way they look at the world and elaborate a shareable image. These formative features have made their contributions in these experiences particularly interesting and original, not so much for non-profit creative collaborations that they have been able to develop with the Institutions that have welcomed them, but above all for the current image and innovative that they have been able to interpret and return.
A New perspective to the Process of Education/Communication in the Era of Digital Technologies
Authors: Sousa Paulo Cesar , CURY Lucilene
Published: July 2018

This paper aims to discuss the challenges of higher education regarding the relationship between the university and the individual in the era of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). It proposes a new teaching-learning model that allows establishing an educational and transformative communication between university-student. Therefore, it is imperative to consider that technology by itself adds little to the construction of new knowledge and, in this sense, the university can wave towards the establishment of a new paradigm in the education-student relation. In order to justify this proposal, this paper will analyze how the course “Theory and Method of Research in Communication, taught in face-to-face format for the undergraduate students of the School of Communications and Arts of the University of São Paulo, will be converted into a distance-learning course. This conversion will contribute with the formation of new researchers in the scientific field and consequently with the democratization of knowledge. As it can be observed, the mass use of the e-learning modality in Brazil presents itself as a potential tool for consolidating this new teaching-learning model, when associated with the communication process
From Time to Time: A Constructivist Approach to Sociality in Learning
Authors: Mancini Francesco , Glusac Tanja
Published: July 2018

Under the current financial pressures, tertiary education increasingly looks towards corporate sector to import its model of management and efficiency. While benefits of this model can be seen in practice, in regard to staff and facilities management and financial viability, its impact on teaching and learning caused a disruption to the very core of tertiary education, eroding sociality in learning and opportunity for sharing knowledge and values. Capacity to work in teams and ability to critically solve problems by collaborating and sharing insights and informations, are skills students are expected to gain during their studies. The development of these skills to their fullest using Design Thinking approach, however, is currently not widely supported, albeit desirable,[1] in the present education context which is addressing the efficiency of time management by reducing contact time, increasing student/staff ratio and shifting towards integrated and mass education modes of delivery. While this presentation is not disputing the existing model, it responds to its current challenges proposing a stronger integration of different factors contributing to learning.Tthe aim is to present a collaborative working model as a way of bridging ‘the missing link between theoretical findings [on holistic and interdisciplinary learning] and demands by pedagogy science’[2]. Such a model is envisioned to encourage sociality in learning and strategize space/time/experience management, ultimately enhancing knowledge and value sharing. [1] Ability to solve ‘wicked problems’ as supported by Design Thinks is becoming more attractive to the tertiary sector as it promotes ‘holistic modes of constructivist learning in projects’ (Sheer et al 17 (3), 8). [2] Sheer et al 17 (3), 8
Education Facing Globalization in Post-communist Country: Azerbaijan
Authors: Isaxanli Hamlet
Published: July 2018

Contemporary education, especially, the development of higher education is tightly bound with globalization and is also one of those indications characterizing the globalization. The impact of globalization on higher education is very wide and complex in post-communist countries. This research paper looks at the main characteristics of globalization as a whole, its influences on post-Soviet societies: the refusal and acceptance of the trends brought by globalization in post-communist countries, its impacts on education systems of less developed and developing countries, import of features of long-established education systems from abroad. The weaker education systems’ vulnerability before those powerful, well-established and long-standing education systems and the hard competition conditions encountered by them have been touched upon in this article. Subsequently, Azerbaijan, the pathways of its education history beginning from Russian Empire and Soviet Union, the language and alphabet changes, and aftermath the modern education system of Azerbaijan, newly established universities such as Khazar University, their local and international achievements and challenges and the overall situation of higher education in the country have been discussed as the case study.
Diclofenac in the treatment of pain in patients with rheumatic diseases
Authors: Kołodziejska Justyna , Kołodziejczyk Michał
Published: July 2018

Diclofenac, a phenylacetic acid derivative, is a drug demonstrating high efficacy after oral administration in the treatment of pain and physical disability in rheumatic diseases. In view of the adverse effects associated with using diclofenac, it is necessary to consider all known drug safety information before the drug is selected for therapy and the dosage regimen is set for individual patients. Selecting an oral dosage form with specific properties determined by excipients is a method to improve the availability of the drug substance and, at the same time, minimize adverse drug reactions. An alternative to tablet or capsule dosage forms is diclofenac application to the skin. The proven efficacy of this method is further improved through the use of transdermal penetration enhancers and vehicle ingredients which provide dosage forms with specific physical properties.
The impacts of state and trait anxiety as moderated by perceived social support among Nigerian patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Akintayo Richard O. , Odunlami Gbenga J. , Bamidele Opeyemi F. , Fabiyi Eniola P. , Akintayo Foluke C. , Bamidele Oluwakemi V. , Dedeke Ibukunoluwa A. , Osagie Toluwalashe T. , Ibisola Adekunle A.
Published: July 2018

Objectives

To assess the levels of state and trait anxiety and determine their relationships with perceived social support among Nigerian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Material and methods

A cross-sectional study of 50 patients satisfying the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/European League against Rheumatism Classification Criteria for RA was conducted. Anxiety was assessed using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), perceived social support by the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL), health-related quality of life (HRQoL) by the Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and disability by the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI).

Results

The mean state anxiety (STAI-S), trait anxiety (STAI-T) and ISEL scores among the patients were 35.2 ±10.2, 36.7 ±8.8 and 87.2 ±21.2 respectively. Pathological degrees of state and trait anxiety were found among 7 (14%) and 5 (10.4%) patients respectively. There was a negative correlation between the STAI-T score and the ISEL score (r = –0.362, p = 0.011). However, the correlation between STAI-S and ISEL was not statistically significant (r = –0.193, p = 0.179). A moderate-to-high correlation was found between each of STAI-S and STAI-T and all subscales and component summaries of the SF-36. ISEL score correlated significantly with role emotional (r = 0.377, p = 0.008), mental health (r = 0.482, p ≤ 0.001) and bodily pain (r = 0.320, p = 0.025) domains and the mental component summary (r = 0.380, p = 0.007) of SF-36. HAQ-DI correlated strongly with both STAI-S (r = 0.735, p ≤ 0.001) and STAI-T (r = 0.575, p ≤ 0.001) but not with ISEL.

Conclusions

State and trait anxiety correlate negatively with all aspects of HRQoL and disability, and there is a notable relationship between perceived social support and trait anxiety as well as the mental aspect of HRQoL.
Managing strategic improvement programs: the XPS program management framework
Authors: Netland Torbjørn H.
Published: July 2018

Multinational corporations are introducing holistic company-specific production systems (XPSs) in order to improve the productivity of their global manufacturing networks. XPSs are multi-plant improvement programs that are coordinated from the corporate headquarters and implemented in all subsidiaries of the firm. However, research and practice show that the implementation of process improvement programs is a challenging task that often ends up unsuccessful despite good intentions and substantial resource investments. In this paper, I investigate how program management theory can help provide deployment guidelines for successful XPS implementation in global firms. I am proposing an XPS program management framework, which has been developed through merging program management theory with descriptions of real-life XPSs. It is suggested that the structured approach found in project-based program management literature can be partly adapted to strategic programs such as the XPS. This paper contributes to program management theory by enhancing our understanding of how strategic programs, such as XPSs, differ from other more project-based types of programs. Secondly, it contributes to the process improvement literature with practical management guidelines for XPS deployment adapted from program management theory.
A methodology to estimate flow duration curves at partially
ungauged basins
Authors: Ridolfi Elena , Kumar Hemendra , Bárdossy András
Published: July 2018

Abstract. The Flow Duration Curve (FDC) set up at a specific site has a key role to the knowledge of the streamflow characteristic at that site. The FDC gives information on the water regime providing important information to optimally manage the water resources of the river. Spite of its importance, because of the lack of streamflow gauging stations, the FDC construction can be a not straightforward task. In ungauged or partially gauged catchments, FDCs are usually built using regionalization methods among the others. In this paper we show that the FDC is not a characteristic of the basin only, but of both the basin and the weather. Different weather conditions lead to different FDC for the same catchment. The differences can often be significant. Similarly, the FDC built at a site for a specific period of time cannot be used to retrieve the FDC at a different site for the same time window. In this paper we propose a new methodology to estimate FDCs at partially gauged basins (i.e., target sites) using discharge and precipitation data gauged at another catchment (i.e., reference catchment). The main idea is that it is possible to retrieve the FDC of a target period of time using the data gauged during a given reference time period for which data are available at both target and reference sites. To test the methodology, several reference and target time periods are analysed and results are shown for two different case study areas. The comparison between estimated and actually observed FDCs show the reasonability of the approach especially for intermediate percentiles.
Antepenultimate stress in Spanish: In defense of syllable weight and grammatically-informed analogy
Authors: Fuchs Martín
Published: July 2018

Spanish has a contrastive stress system with three major possibilities: antepenultimate, penultimate, and final stress. While penultimate and final stress are to some extent predictable, a major point of contention in the literature is whether antepenultimate stress assignment is rule-governed (Harris 1983; Roca 1991; i.a.). By examining different analogical and grammatically-informed models and their predictive power in capturing experimental data, I show that a Maximum Entropy model (Hayes & Wilson 2008) that includes syllable weight in its lexical representations is the best predictor of antepenultimate stress assignment. In doing so, I also dispute the claim that the trill in Spanish is a geminate tap (Harris 1983), and provide support for its status as a singleton consonant.
La poesía de David Escobar Galindo : un viaje por sus textos esenciales. Avances de la compilación de una poesía escogida del autor y de un estudio interpretativo sobre su obra poética. Conferencia y conversatorio con el Dr. David Escobar Galindo
Authors: Zetino Mario
Published: July 2018

No hay resúmenes disponiblesAKADEMOS, Año 11, Vol. 2, No 29, Julio-Diciembre 2017: 9-23
Research on the Influence of Firm’s Innovation Driven on New Product Innovation Performance
Authors: Yan Qu , Chen Chun-Shuo
Published: July 2018

New product innovation and R&D are important sources for firms to obtain competitive advantages, and market knowledge is the core element for firms to obtain new product innovation performance. However, it can be also found out that the relevant discussion upon innovation has been still limited to restricted theories and the developing empirical researching area by reviewing the literature. Based on knowledge-based theory, a questionnaire survey of 220 high-technology and internet firms in China was conducted to empirically analyze the relationship between innovation driven, potential absorptive capacity, and new product innovation performance. The study found that: the potential absorptive capacity mediates the relationship between market orientation and new product performance, technological opportunity and new product performance, and the potential absorptive capability positively adjusts the relationship between technological opportunities and realized absorptive capacity. It is possible to understand more clearly the process of firms acquiring and digesting information, transforming and mining knowledge to achieve new product innovation performance by analyzing the process of knowledge absorption and conversion.
Role of polymorphism of the
interleukin-1B gene and other
genetic polymorphisms in the
aetiology of root resorption in
patients receiving orthodontic
treatment
Authors: Makowska-Kaczmarska Marzena , Okoń Anna , Olszewska Elżbieta
Published: July 2018

Aim. The aim of the work was to present the latest
directions in the research on gene polymorphisms in the
global population and to discuss their potential role in
the pathogenesis of root resorption during orthodontic
treatment. Material and methods. A review of the
literature in Polish and English from the years 1990–2015
was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE databases and
the results of studies kept in the database of the National
Centre for Biotechnology Information were used. Key
words used: genetics of root resorption, genetic
polymorphism, interleukin-1B. Results. 19 articles were
analysed. Special attention was placed on the latest studies
on the human genome, especially focused on
gene polymorphisms in the global population. Summary.
Pathogenesis of root resorption during orthodontic
treatment is complex. Its background is undoubtedly
genetic. Gene polymorphism is important. The role of
polymorphism of the interleukin-1B gene and other genes
in the interleukin-1 cluster draws special attention.
Identification of genetic factors that play an important
role in the aetiology of root resorption may in the future
help to identify patients susceptible to such complications
even before the beginning of orthodontic treatment.
Potential possibilities of DNA testing in clinical practice
are enormous. The role of individual gene polymorphisms
in the pathogenesis of root resorption has not been yet
explained in detail and further multicentre studies are
necessary. At this stage of studies no reliable markers
have been detected in order to predict which patients
would develop this complication. (Makowska-
Kaczmarska M, Okoń A, Olszewska E. Role of
polymorphism of the interleukin-1B gene and other
genetic polymorphisms in the aetiology of root
resorption in patients receiving orthodontic
treatment. Orthod Forum 2017; 13: 36-42).
Inclination of maxillary
and mandibular incisors –
comparison of measurements
from teleroentgenograms and
CBCT
Authors: Kalina Edyta , Sobieska Ewa , Kalina Kacper , Zadurska Małgorzata
Published: July 2018

The assessment of incisor location in lateral cephalograms
is a standard strategy in orthodontic diagnostics. However,
determination of reference points on apices of roots of
incisors in the maxilla and mandible is not always precise
due to limitations of this examination. CBCT allows to find
these points with high precision. Aim. The main aim of the
work was to compare measurements of the inclination angle
of the most anterior upper incisor to the maxillary base
plane (IL+ :NL) and of the lower incisor to the mandibular
base plane (IL- :ML) performed in a teleroentgenogram with
measurements of the most anterior upper and lower incisors
in CBCT. An additional aim was to assess a difference in
inclination between the most and the least inclined incisor
in the maxilla and mandible in individual patients. Material
and methods. Radiological documentation (digital
cephalograms and CBCT scans) from 38 patients at the age
of 11–46 years (24 females, 14 males) was used in the study.
The angle 1+ :NS and 1- :ML were determined in cephalograms
for each patient. An angle between the long axis of each
maxillary and mandibular incisor and the maxillary base
plane and mandibular base plane, respectively, was measured
on CBCT scans. The t test for mean pairs was used to compare
values of angles obtained in a teleroentgenogram and values
of the angle of the most inclined incisor in a CBCT scan.
Results. There was a statistically significant difference
between the value of the angle 1+ :NS measured in
a cephalogram and a value of the angle between the long
axis of the most inclined maxillary incisor and the maxillary
base plane evaluated in a CBCT scan (p = 0.00). Moreover,
there was also a statistically significant difference between
the value of the angle 1- :ML measured in a teleroentgenogram
and the value of the angle between the long axis of the most
inclined mandibular incisor and the mandibular base plane
evaluated in a CBCT scan (p = 0.02). Conclusions. 1) The
assessment of inclination of maxillary and mandibular
incisors in cephalograms is not identical to the assessment
of incisor inclination using CBCT scans. 2) CBCT is
recommended in order to assess this parameter precisely
due to great differences between measurements of the
inclination angle of individual incisors in the maxilla and
mandible. (Kalina E, Sobieska E, Kalina K, Zadurska M.
Inclination of maxillary and mandibular incisors –
comparison of measurements from teleroentgenograms
and CBCT. Orthod Forum 2017; 13: 89-96).
Mapping Transformations
Authors: Longtin Rebecca A. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: July 2018

Scholars have thoroughly discussed the visual aspects of Foucault’s archaeological and genealogical methods, as well as his own emphasis on how sight functions and what contexts and conditions shape how we see and what we can see. Yet while some of the images and visual devices he uses are frequently discussed, like Las Meninas and the panopticon, his diagrams in The Order of Things have received little attention. Why does Foucault diagram historical ways of thinking? What are we supposed to see and understand through these diagrams? To examine the role of the diagram in Foucault’s archaeological method, this paper provides a close reading of how the classical quadrilateral visualizes the structure, function, content, principles, and underlying assumptions of language and thought. In analyzing the diagram as a way for visualizing history, this paper demonstrates how Foucault enacts a new visual language that emphasizes the contingency of thought.
What’s Wrong With Ponzi Schemes? Trust and Its Exploitation in Financial Investment
Authors: Almassi Ben ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: July 2018

The role of trust in financial investment has been a matter of some contention, one often obscured by two misconceptions: (1) that financial relationships are fit only for wary predictive reliance where trust has no rational basis, and (2) that in those relationships where trust is operative it must be worth preserving. Following Baier’s contention that trust, like air, is more easily seen when polluted, here I consider Ponzi schemes as exemplars of corrupt and polluted trust. Without attending to the role of trust in financial relationships, I argue, we can not make sense of how Ponzi schemes work, why investors are fooled, what it is that makes Ponzi schemes distinctively wrong, and what differentiates them from structurally similar yet legitimate financial practices.
Reducing the donor site morbidity in radial forearm free flaps by utilizing a narrow radial forearm free flap
Authors: Shaikh Safdar Ali , Bawa Amber , Shahzad Noman , Yousufzai Zara , Ghani Muhammad Shahab
Published: July 2018

Background The radial forearm free flap (RFFF) has remained a leading choice of many plastic surgeons as a fasciocutaneous flap due to its versatility, pedicle length, and simple elevation technique. However, donor site morbidity has led many reconstructive surgeons to limit their use of the RFFF and to use other flaps instead. We propose that using a narrow RFFF (nRFFF) decreases the aesthetic and functional morbidity of the donor site.

Methods We report our experiences with the nRFFF from April 2012 through May 2015 at the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery at Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi. The donor defects were closed primarily. The Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale and comparison with the contralateral hand were used to assess aesthetic and functional outcomes, respectively.

Results A total of 24 patients underwent nRFFF procedures during the study period. The donor arm showed excellent motor function in 22 cases (91.7%), and very good function in the remaining two cases (8.3%). The aesthetic outcomes were excellent in four patients (16.6%), very good in eight patients (33.3%), good in 10 patients (41.6%), and fair in two patients (8.3%) who developed a hypertrophic scar. All flaps were successful and there were no cases of partial or complete loss.

Conclusions For small to medium-sized soft tissue defects, the nRFFF had acceptable outcomes due to its thinness, pliability, and major reduction in donor site aesthetic and functional morbidity.
Do an ecosystem engineer and environmental gradient act independently or in concert to shape juvenile plant communities? Tests with the leaf-cutter ant Atta laevigata in a Neotropical savanna
Authors: Costa Alan N , Bruna Emilio M , Vasconcelos Heraldo L
Published: July 2018

Background. Ecosystem Engineers are species that transform habitats in ways that influence other species. While the impacts of many engineers have been well described, our understanding of how their impact varies along environmental gradients remains limited. Although disentangling the effects of gradients and engineers on biodiversity is complicated – the gradients themselves can be altered by engineers – doing so is necessary to advance conceptual and mathematical models of ecosystem engineering. We used leaf-cutter ants (Atta spp.) to investigate the relative influence of gradients and environmental engineers on the abundance and species richness of woody plants.

Methods. We conducted our research in South America's Cerrado. With a survey of plant recruits along a canopy cover gradient, and data on environmental conditions that influence plant recruitment, we fit statistical models that addressed the following questions: (1) Does A. laevigata modify the gradient in canopy cover found in our Cerrado site? (2) Do environmental conditions that influence woody plant establishment in the Cerrado vary with canopy cover or proximity to A. laevigata nests? (3) DoA. laevigata and canopy cover act independently or in concert to influence recruit abundance and species richness?

Results. We found that environmental conditions previously shown to influence plant establishment in theCerradovaried in concert with canopy cover, but that ants are not modifying the cover gradient or cover over nests. However, ants are modifying other local environmental conditions, and the magnitude and spatial extent of these changes is consistent across the gradient. In contrast to prior studies, we found that ant-related factors (e.g., proximity to nests, ant changes in surface conditions), rather than canopy cover, had the strongest effect on the abundance of plant recruits. However, the diversity of plants was influenced by both the engineer and the canopy cover gradient.

Discussion. Atta laevigata in the Cerrado modify local conditions in ways that have strong but spatially restricted consequences for plant communities. We hypothesize that ants indirectly reduce seedling establishment by clearing litter and reducing soil moisture, which leads to seed and seedling desiccation. Altering soil nutrients could also reduce juvenile growth and survivorship; if so these indirect negative effects of engineering could exacerbate their direct effects of harvesting plants. The effects ofAttaappear restricted to nest mounds, but they could be long-lasting because mounds persist long after a colony has died or migrated. Our results support the hypothesis that leaf-cutter ants play a dominant role in Cerrado plant demography. We suggest the ecological and economic footprint of these engineers may increase dramatically in coming decades due to the transformation of the Cerrado by human activities.