bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hepatocellular Carcinoma Occurrence and Recurrence after Antiviral Treatment in HCV-Related Cirrhosis. Are Outcomes Different after Direct Antiviral Agents? A Review
Authors: Spârchez Zeno , Mocan Tudor
Published: November 2017

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the major causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. In the last decades, several studies have showed a lower rate of HCC occurrence or recurrence in patients with HCV-related cirrhosis after interferon-based antiviral therapies compared to untreated controls, even without reaching viral clearance. Unfortunately, interferon regimens could only yield viral clearance in approximately half of the patients. The recent development of new all-oral regimens with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has radically improved the cure rate to above 90%. In respect to these findings, many would have thought that interferon-free regimens would decrease the development and recurrence of HCC. Literature data have unexpectedly reported high rates of both the occurrence and recurrence of HCC after therapy with DAAs. However, it is probably too early to express some concerns. More recent data showed that both occurrence and recurrence of HCC are decreased by the DAAs. Interferon-free therapy is definitely not without limits. Together with the initial thoughts of an increased risk of HCC, these may lead to an unwanted restricted access to interferon-free regimens in specific subpopulations. This issue should be settled as soon as possible because millions of hepatitis C patients are and will be using DAAs in the present and future. Our purpose is to review the existing literature and to offer a more precise and rational interpretation of the existing data.Key words:  –  – e – .Abreviations: AFP: alpha-fetoprotein; DAA: direct antiviral agent; HCC: hepatocellular carcinoma; HCV: hepatitis C virus; HR: hazard ratio; IFN: interferon; LDV: Ledispavir; SMV: Simeprevir; SOF: Sofosbuvir; SVR: sustained virologic response.
Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis in a Patient with Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Mikami Takashi , Kakimoto Kazuki , Hirata Yuki , Kawakami Ken , Takeuchi Toshihisa , Higuchi Kazuhide
Published: November 2017

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A Comparative Study of White Light Endoscopy, Chromoendoscopy and Magnifying Endoscopy with Narrow Band Imaging in the Diagnosis of Early Gastric Cancer after Helicobacter pylori Eradication
Authors: Horiguchi Noriyuki , Tahara Tomomitsu
Published: November 2017

Background & Aim: Early-stage gastric cancer (EGC) found after H. pylori eradication often has non-tumorous epithelium on the tumorous tissue and/or surface differentiation of tumors, which may confuse endoscopic and histologic diagnosis. We investigated the diagnostic reliability of EGC using conventional white light endoscopy (WLE), chromoendoscopy (CE) using indigo carmine, and magnifying endoscopy with narrow band imaging (ME-NBI) in patients with EGC with or without history of prior H. pylori eradication therapy.Methods: Diagnostic reliability of EGC by using the WLE, CE and ME-NBI was investigated in 71 EGC lesions diagnosed after successful H. pylori eradication (eradication group) and 115 EGC lesions with current H. pylori infection (control group).Results: Diagnostic reliability of EGC was lower in the eradication group than in the control group using all three modalities. In particular, the diagnostic accuracy of CE in the eradication group was especially lower compared to that of the control group (WLE: 74.6% vs. 86.1%, P=0.05; CE: 64.8% vs. 91.3%, P<0.0001; ME-NBI: 88.7% vs. 98.2%, P=0.01). The ME-NBI scored better in comparison with WLE and CE in the eradication group (both P<0.05). The indistinct EGC lesions in the eradicated group by using CE were associated with the presence of histological changes such as non-tumorous epithelium on the tumor and/or surface differentiation of tumors (P=0.005).Conclusions: It should be noted that the diagnostic reliability of EGC after H. pylori eradication becomes lower especially using CE. Indistinguishable cases using CE are associated with histological findings such as non-tumorous epithelium on the tumor and/or surface differentiation of tumors.Abbreviations: CE: chromoendoscopy; EGD: esophagogastroduodenoscopy; EGC: Early-stage gastric cancer; ESD: endoscopic submucosal dissection; H. pylori: Helicobacter pylori; ME-NBI: magnifying endoscopy with narrow band imaging; WLE: white light endoscopy.
Uses and limitations of IgG4 positive plasma cells in evaluating ulcerative colitis
Authors: Keyashian Kian , Duregon Eleonora , Brinkerhoff Brian T. , Bradley Laura , Larson Benjamin , Lim Jeong , Modiano Nir , Collins Judy , Morgan Terry K. , Hooper Jody E.
Published: November 2017

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Heterotopic Pancreas Located in the Ileum
Authors: Dutei Catalin , Husar-Sburlan Ioana Alexandra , Tudor Stefan , Herlea Vlad , Dijmarescu Adrian , Manuc Mircea
Published: November 2017

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Development of an early-stage femoral head necrosis rabbit model using methylprednisolone and Complete Freund's Adjuvant
Authors: Phi Lan Thi , Le Ha Thi -Ngan , Dao Thuy Thi -Thanh , Nguyen Khanh Dinh-Van , Bui Khanh Hong-Thien , Le Phuong Thi-Bich , Vu Ngoc Bich , Pham Phuc Van
Published: November 2017

Introduction: Pathological animal models provide the foundation for developing new methods for disease treatment. This research aims to establish a rabbit model of femoral head necrosis.
Methods: Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) was induced in rabbits by using methylprednisolone (MPS) combined with Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA). New Zealand White rabbits were divided into two groups. ONFH group (n=10) was given an intramuscular injection of 0.5 mg/kg CFA and 40 mg/kg methylprednisolone. Normal group (n=6) received normal saline at the same location and same volume as those in ONFH group. The efficiency of the ONFH rabbit model was assessed at week 7 after the last injection. Body weight was detected, and the histological structure of head femoral and bone were assessed by H&E staining. The empty lacunae were counted. Cartilage degeneration was evaluated using image analysis software. Blood vessel density was assessed after ink artery infusion. The cell cycle of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells was analyzed by flow cytometry.
Results: The results showed that there was no difference in body weight changes of rabbits between the two groups. However, the bone morphology and cartilage surface of the femoral head showed abnormalities in the ONFH group. The percentage of empty osteocyte lacunae was significantly higher in ONFH group than normal group. Chondrocyte degeneration and fibrocartilage expression were observed in the ONFH group. Compared to the normal group, the ONFH group had less ink-stained blood vessels. However, the fraction of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells in S phase and G2/M phase of the cell cycle was significantly increased in the ONFH group.
Conclusion: Thus, CFA combined with MPS for 7 weeks can be used to establish an early-stage femoral head necrosis model in rabbits.
Practice Variation in Acute Bronchiolitis: A Pediatric Emergency Research Networks Study
Authors: Schuh Suzanne , Babl Franz E. , Dalziel Stuart R. , Freedman Stephen B. , Macias Charles G. , Stephens Derek , Steele Dale W. , Fernandes Ricardo M. , Zemek Roger , Plint Amy C. , Florin Todd A. , Lyttle Mark D. , Johnson David W. , Gouin Serge , Schnadower David , Klassen Terry P. , Bajaj Lalit , Benito Javier , Kharbanda Anupam , Kuppermann Nathan ,   the Pediatric Emergency Research Networks (PERN)
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Studies characterizing hospitalizations in bronchiolitis did not identify patients receiving evidence-based supportive therapies (EBSTs). We aimed to evaluate intersite and internetwork variation in receipt of ≥1 EBSTs during the hospital management of infants diagnosed with bronchiolitis in 38 emergency departments of pediatric emergency research networks in Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, and Portugal. We hypothesized that there would be significant variation, adjusted for patient characteristics.

METHODS:

Retrospective cohort study of previously healthy infants aged <12 months with bronchiolitis. Our primary outcome was that hospitalization occurred with EBST (ie, parenteral fluids, oxygen, or airway support).

RESULTS:

Out of 3725 participants, 1466 (39%) were hospitalized, and 1023 out of 1466 participants (69.8%) received EBST. The use of EBST varied by site (P < .001; range 6%–99%, median 23%), but not by network (P = .2). Significant multivariable predictors and their odds ratios (ORs) were as follows: age (0.9), oxygen saturation (1.3), apnea (3.4), dehydration (3.2), nasal flaring and/or grunting (2.4), poor feeding (2.1), chest retractions (1.9), and respiratory rate (1.2). The use of pharmacotherapy and radiography varied by network and site (P < .001), with respective intersite ranges 2% to 79% and 1.6% to 81%. Compared with Australia and New Zealand, the multivariable OR for the use of pharmacotherapy in Spain and Portugal was 22.7 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.5–111), use in Canada was 11.5 (95% CI: 3.7–36), use in the United States was 6.8 (95% CI: 2.3–19.8), and use in the United Kingdom was 1.4 (95% CI: 0.4–4.2). Compared with United Kingdom, OR for radiography use in the United States was 4.9 (95% CI 2.0–12.2), use in Canada was 4.9 (95% CI 1.9–12.6), use in Spain and Portugal was 2.4 (95% CI 0.6–9.8), and use in Australia and New Zealand was 1.8 (95% CI 0.7–4.7).

CONCLUSIONS:

More than 30% of infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis received no EBST. The hospital site was a source of variation in all study outcomes, and the network also predicted the use of pharmacotherapy and radiography.
Peri-implantitis: A Comprehensive Overview of Systematic Reviews
Authors: Ting Miriam , Craig James , Balkin Burton E. , Suzuki Jon B.
Published: November 2017

The objective of this systematic review was to perform a comprehensive overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses pertaining to peri-implantitis in humans, including the prevalence and incidence, the diagnostic findings, microbial findings, effects of systemic diseases, and treatment of peri-implantitis. Electronic databases were searched for systematic reviews and meta-analyses of peri-implantitis. In view of the limitations of the included systematic reviews, the outcome of this overview suggested that (1) occurrence of peri-implantitis was higher in patients with periodontitis, in patients who smoke, and after 5 years of implant function; (2) the microbial profile of peri-implantitis was different from periodontitis; (3) risk for peri-implantitis was higher in patients with uncontrolled diabetes and cardiovascular disease; (4) there was no strong evidence to suggest the most effective treatment intervention for peri-implantitis, although most peri-implantitis treatments can produce successful outcomes; and (5) postimplant maintenance may be crucial in patients with a high risk of peri-implantitis.
Liquefaction resistance of sand reinforced with randomly distributed polypropylene fibres
Authors: Ye B. , Cheng Z. R. , Liu C. , Zhang Y. D. , Lu P.
Published: December 2017

This paper presents an experimental study on the effect of randomly distributed fibres on enhancing the liquefaction resistance of sand. A series of undrained cyclic triaxial compression tests and hollow cylinder torsional shear tests were conducted on saturated sand samples with and without fibres. The influencing factors (including fibre length, fibre content and relative density), which are closely related to the liquefaction resistance of sand, were investigated. The test results indicated that samples reinforced with randomly distributed fibres can sustain many more loading cycles than can samples without fibres before liquefaction occurs; that is, the inclusion of fibres can effectively improve the liquefaction resistance of sand. The liquefaction resistance increased with increasing fibre length and fibre content. The reinforcement effect is found to be significant in both medium dense samples and loose samples. The results from triaxial tests and hollow cylinder shear tests were similar, indicating that the different loading conditions in the two types of tests will not influence the reinforcement effect of randomly distributed fibres.
Full-scale experimental study on screening effectiveness of SRM-filled trench barriers
Authors: Mahdavisefat E. , Salehzadeh H. , Heshmati A. A.
Published: December 2017

Vibration induced by different sources can be seriously harmful to structures and occupants and their isolation has gained importance during recent years with rapid urbanisation. Trench barriers (open or filled) have been used for isolating such unwanted vibrations, but few experimental studies have investigated the effects of different parameters on vibration reduction. This paper provides results of a series of full-scale field experiments conducted to investigate the effect of open and filled trenches on vibration screening. A sand–rubber mixture (SRM) was used to fill the trench as a lightweight, high-energy-absorbing and environmentally friendly material. Results confirmed that the SRM-filled trench can be used as an efficient, low-cost and easily constructed system for reducing ground vibration. In some cases, the performance level of SRM-filled trenches was close to that of open ones. The use of geophones that could record vibrations in three dimensions demonstrated that trench barriers can isolate vertical vibrations better than horizontal and transversal ones.
The experience of parent-coaches in youth sport: A qualitative case study from Australia
Authors: Elliott Samuel , Drummond Murray
Published: November 2017

There has been increasing academic interest in understanding the nature of parental involvement in youth sport. Much scholarly focus has illuminated both positive and negative forms of sport parenting from the perspectives of coaches, parents and youth participants. One less understood aspect however surrounds the potentially conflicting role of parents who coach their own children in youth sport. This is surprising given that many parents, especially fathers, demonstrate support by fulfilling essential roles such as team manager and team coach (Jeffery-Tosoni, Fraser-Thomas, & Baker, 2015). This paper emerges from an Australian study of 16 parent-coaches involved in Australian football. The original purpose of the study was to understand the nature of the sport parenting role in youth sport in Australia. A number of pertinent themes were constructed surrounding the contemporary experiences of parent-coaches who coach their own children, and how coaching is subsequently justified. The findings illustrate how concerns of favouritism impact how parent-coaches interact with their child in contrast to the rest of the team, encouraging nuances of ‘negative’ parenting toward their own children under the guise of being the coach. Examples of this include demonstrating deliberate criticism at training and matches and overlooking their child in awarding encouragement awards after each weekly match. Significantly, parent-coaches justify these behaviours in attempting to fulfil the dual role of parent and team coach. We argue that this can be potentially problematic for some parent and child relationships and have a reinforcing influence on how other parent-coaches negotiate being a parent and coach.
Family Relationships and Youth Sport: Influence of Siblings and Parents on Youth's Participation, Interests, and Skills
Authors: Osai Keith V , Whiteman Shawn D
Published: November 2017

Taking a family systems perspective, the present study investigated how older siblings’ and parents’ (mothers’ and fathers’) interests, skills, and participation in sports predicted younger siblings’ attitudes and behaviors in those same domains. Testing social learning principles, we further examined whether family members’ influence was stronger when they shared warmer relationships and siblings shared the same gender. Participants included mothers, fathers, and adolescent-aged first and second-born siblings from 197 maritally intact families. Families participated in home interviews as well as a series of 7 nightly phone calls during which participants reported on their daily activities. Across dependent variables, results revealed that parents’ and (with one exception) older siblings’ qualities were predictive of younger siblings’ interests, skills, and participation in sports. Inconsistent with hypotheses, however, family members’ influence was not moderated by relational warmth. Discussion highlights the need to examine the socialization processes by which siblings shape each other’s sport-related attitudes and activities.
First strand cDNA synthesis v1
Authors: Dietsch Maximilian
Published: November 2017

The following protocol is optimized to generate first-strand cDNA for use in two step-PCR.
Specificity of pragmatic features of language in elderly age: principles of diagnosis and direction of therapy
Authors: Melehin A.
Published: December 2017

The article shows that taking into account the change in the pragmatic function of the language at a later age can not only improve the health conserve behavior and improve treatment adherence, but also plays an important role in the recognition of qualifications and effective treatment of mental, cognitive, and neurodegenerative disorders. Based on the analysis of foreign studies systematic techniques are often used for the diagnosis of pragmatic competence and presents step-by-step algorithm for estimating of socio-cognitive disorders in old age. It is shown that in normal aging we can observe selective, reversible changes in the verbal, para - and extralinguistic components of the pragmatic functions of language, and metapragmatic abilities. Systematic General symptoms of deficiency in pragmatic functions of language are neatly systematized. The analysis of the causes of changes in pragmatic competence at an elderly age was carried out with the help of deficit and resource approaches. We presented a range of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions aimed at improving the pragmatic function of language in old age.
LA CASA. Piezas, Ensambles y Estrategias. María Carreiro, Cándido López (dir.)
Authors: Trillo de Leyva Juan Luis
Published: November 2017

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GONZÁLEZ, R., IZQUIERDO, D., LOUREDA, Ó. (eds.) (2016). La evidencialidad en español: teoría y descripción. Madrid / Frankfurt am M.: Iberoamericana / Vervuert, 356 pp., ISBN 978-84-8489-948-8.
Authors: Las Heras Calvo Miguel
Published: November 2017

GONZÁLEZ, R., IZQUIERDO, D., LOUREDA, Ó. (eds.) (2016). La evidencialidaden español: teoría y descripción. Madrid / Frankfurt am M.: Iberoamericana / Vervuert, 356 pp., ISBN 978-84-8489-948-8.
Выявление востребованных профессий и направлений подготовки на региональном рынке труда
Authors: Русина Анастасия Николаевна , Карпычева Ольга Вячеславовна , Филимоненко Ирина Владимировна
Published: November 2017

Для кадрового обеспечения процессов модернизации экономики региона необходима адаптивная система образования, способная реагировать на запросы рынка труда. Возможным путем повышения качества профессионального образования, обеспечения структурного соответствия подготовки кадров требованиям региональных и локальных рынков труда и эффективного использования ресурсов системы профессионального образования является разработка методики выявления востребованных профессий в экономике региона на среднесрочную и долгосрочную перспективу и построение кластера профессиональных компетенций. Авторами предложена методика выявления востребованных профессий в экономике региона на основе статистики поисковых запросов в сети Интернет и позиционирования результатов в матрице «уровень масштабов – уровень динамики спроса на профессии». На основе сравнительного анализа трудовых функций профессиональных стандартов и перечней профессиональных компетенций ФГОС ВО определяются компетенционные кластеры востребованных профессий, что дает основание для последующей оптимизации направлений подготовки профессиональных кадров. В статьи использовались аналитические методы исследования, критериального анализа, научные публикации отечественных и зарубежных ученых по данной проблеме. Результаты исследования позволят установить перечень востребованных и перспективных профессий для высокотехнологичного сектора экономики Красноярского края и оптимизировать подготовку специалистов всех форм и уровней обучения.
ACÚMULO E DISTRIBUIÇÃO DE NUTRIENTES EM GENÓTIPOS DE SORGO FORRAGEIRO SOB SALINIDADE
Authors: COELHO DANIELA SIQUEIRA , SIMÕES WELSON LIMA , SALVIANO ALESSANDRA MONTEIRO , SOUZA MOISÉS ALVES DE , SANTOS JOSÉ EZEQUIEL DE
Published: December 2017

O controle na absorção e distribuição de íons Na+ e Cl- nos tecidos das plantas está diretamente relacionado com o grau de tolerância das plantas à salinidade, podendo minimizar possíveis distúrbios nutricionais devido a competição desses íons com elementos como N, P, K, Ca, Mg e S. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da salinidade sobre o acúmulo e distribuição de Na, Cl e macronutrientes em dez genótipos de sorgo forrageiro.O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação localizada na sede da Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA) – Semiárido, em Petrolina – PE. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados dispostos em esquema fatorial 10x6, considerando dez genótipos de sorgo forrageiro, seis níveis de salinidade etrês repetições. Após a colheita, as plantas foram separadas em folhas, colmos e raízes, colocadas para secar e trituradas para posterior determinação dos elementos N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Na e Cl.  Verificou-se que o aumento da salinidade influenciou na redução da quantidade de macronutrientes acumulada em folhas, colmos e raízes de sorgo forrageiro, estando diretamente relacionado com as perdas de matéria seca e com efeito competitivo de íons Na+ e Cl- que se encontram em excesso na solução do solo.
Urgensi Psikologi Islam Dalam Pendidikan Islam
Authors: Mubarak Mubarak
Published: November 2017

This paper examines the urgency of Islamic Psychology in Islamic Education. Education and psychology cannot be separated, both have a very close relationship. Education is a long process to actualize all the potential of human self so that the potential of humanity to be actual. In terms of Islamic education is needed is Islamic Psychology, because humans have the potential of noble, namely fitrah and spirit that is not touchable in general psychology (West). Islamic education should have a psychological foundation that is insightful to Islam, in this case with a guide to the Qur'an and Hadith as its source, so that the end of the goal of Islamic education can be realized and create a plenary human (insan kamil).Islamic education psychology devotes attention to the behavior or behavior of those who engage in learning and teaching activities or those directly involved in the learning process. Islamic education psychology has two objects, namely: First, learners, ie individuals (individuals) who are learning, including approaches, strategies, influencing factors and achievements achieved. Secondly, teachers (educators), those who are obliged or undertake teaching responsibilities, including methods, models, strategies, and others related to the activity of presenting Islamic education. Islamic education based on Islamic Psychology will produce human beings who have a potential base that is a qualified potential of physical, spiritual, and fitrah or better known as jismiah, nafsiah and ruhaniah.
Process optimization for anti-nutrient minimization of millets
Authors: Singh Ajay , Gupta Saurabh , Kaur Ramandeep , Gupta H. R.
Published: November 2017

The millets were processed by soaking, germination, microwave treatment and fermentation (open and closed). Application of the process parameters for pearl millet, finger millet and sorghum showed significant differences on nutrients and anti-nutrients components. The protein and fiber value increased significantly whereas anti-nutrients viz. tannin and phytic acid decreased maximally to ~90% and 80% respectively by fermentation. Reduction in tannin follows the order Untreated >Microwave Treated > Soaking >Germination >Open Controlled Fermentation>Closed Controlled Fermentation. Germination favors maximum reduction of polyphenolics to a level of 75% and least with both open and close controlled fermentation.
El pensamiento pedagógico de Natalia Górriz
Authors: Argueta Hernández Bienvenido
Published: November 2017

El presente artículo describe y analiza la obra de la primera educadora centroamericana y autora de los textos sobre pedagogía que más influenciaron a las estudiantes y educadoras de principios del siglo XX.  Natalia Górriz no solo fue profesora, directora de las principales escuelas normales del país, fue también escritora feminista y geógrafa. Su obra incorpora conceptos clave que redefinen el rol del docente, una de sus preocupaciones más recurrentes. Además de hacer suyas las principales ideas de la psicología educativa de la época, también presenta ideas acerca del reconocimiento de los derechos del niño por parte de la organización escolar. El examen de su obra se hace sobre la base de los métodos históricos hermenéuticos y por medio de una recopilación exhaustiva de su obra escrita en libros y artículos de prensa.

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Contextualización: Idioma Maya Mam

Contextualizador: Rosendo Ordóñez Maldonado

Ministerio de Educación de Guatemala

CH’IN TUMILAL

Atzunj b’ib’il lu’ nq’aman ti’j txinb’itz jun xjal xu’j  ti’j txilen  xnaq’tzanjtz te  kye  xjal tuj tenb’il ojtxi  ch’in, lepcho’qe  ila’  xjal  ti’j  txinb’etz  tu’n tb’aj txolb’a’n txilen.   Atzun Natalia Górriz jun xu’j nya  noqax  okten xnaq’tzal ex nya okxten b’ínchal tumilal tu’n  kyxnaq’tzet qe xnaq’tzal, ax okten tz’ib’il kyximb’etz  xu’j   ex xpich’il chwinqlal twitz tx’otx.   Atzun jun tumil txinb’etz   tza’nxix jaku b’ant twitz  taq’un xnaq’tzal, tu’ntzuntok  tipun  kyxinb’etz  xjal.   Kub’xix tq’on tnab’il  tij xnaq’tzb’il kychwinlal xjal  tuj  anb’il  el twitz tq’ij   ax xitq’o’n  tnab’il  ti’j tumilal kychwinlal  tal  k’wal tuj  xnaq’tzbil   tza’nxix   tu’n  kyok  q’el tywitz.  Oktb’aj  qki’n  taq’un okub’  ttz’ib’an ti’j nuk’b’il  tumilal  tza’n  jaku tz’el  qniky’  ti’j  ntq’ama’n   ti’chaq  xinb’itz  ite’  tuj yolb’il  tz’ib’anmaj

 

Tipumal yol: Txilen xnaq’tzanjtz; Tipumal xinb’etz ax  txilen; Nuk’b’il yolb’il: Xnaq’tzb’il qchwinq’lal
Barriers to Constructing New Energy Vehicles According to Chinese SMEs
Authors: GaoYan Qiuyu , McCauley Darren , Konina Natalia
Published: November 2017

New energy vehicles (NEVs) have been proposed as a promising technology to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. China is one of the leading countries in the development of NEVs, and a wide range of companies, including large and smaller businesses, are involved in the Chinese NEV market. Given that the NEV market involves the creation of nascent technologies, there are significant barriers to the development of NEV companies in the business growth stage. This is particularly significant in the case of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This study surveyed 100 NEV SMEs in China using a structured questionnaire to determine the most significant barriers to the growth of their businesses. Calculating the relative importance index (RII) from the collected questionnaire responses revealed that the most significant barrier at the growth stage is the lack of skilled scientists in China. The most important category of barriers is legal and institutional barriers, which suggests that government intervention in business activities, taxes, and unclear regulations are viewed by entrepreneurs as a serous hindrance to further development in the NEV industry.
A Novel Allele of GmSACPD‐C Associated with High Seed Stearic Acid Concentration in an EMS‐Induced Mutant PE980 in Soybean
Authors: Jeong Jae‐Eun , Kulkarni Krishnanand P. , Chang Jeong Ho , Ha Bo‐Keun , Kang Sung Taeg , Bilyeu Kristin , Jo Hyun , Song Jong Tae , Lee Jeong‐Dong
Published: November 2017

Stearic acid is a relatively minor component of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seed oil. Increasing the stearic acid concentration is desired for industrial and food applications, as well as enhanced oxidative stability of the oil. Several ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS)‐induced mutants with elevated seed stearic acid concentration have been reported in soybean. Such mutants were often found to carry alterations in the GmSACPD‐C gene encoding Δ9‐stearoyl‐acyl carrier protein‐desaturase, the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of stearic acid to oleic acid in the fatty acid biosynthetic pathway. In the present study, we identified a new GmSACPD‐C allele in an EMS‐induced high‐stearic‐acid mutant PE980. The mutant showed a seed stearic acid concentration of ∼160 g kg−1, fourfold that of the wild‐type ‘Pungsannamul’. A single base substitution from guanine to adenine at genomic position 703 of first exon of the GmSACPD‐C gene was identified through sequencing, and validated by cosegregation analysis of 167 F2 plants using an allele‐specific SimpleProbe marker. The mutation caused a valine to methionine (+70 position) change in the predicted GmSACPD‐Cprotein sequence. The sequence alignments and three‐dimensional structure modeling of GmSACPD‐C showed that the V70M mutation affects substrate binding and dimerization to reduce enzyme activity. Since the mutant showed significant reductions in seed yield compared with the wild type, marker‐assisted backcrossing may be needed to reduce the yield gap.
Worldwide Genetic Diversity of the Wild Species Saccharum spontaneum and Level of Diversity Captured within Sugarcane Breeding Programs
Authors: Aitken Karen , Li Jingchuan , Piperidis George , Qing Cai , Yuanhong Fan , Jackson Phillip
Published: November 2017

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is grown in tropical and subtropical regions of the world and produces 80% of the world's sucrose primarily for human consumption but is increasingly used as a feedstock for biofuel. Commercial cultivars are hybrids between two species, Saccharum officinarum L. and S. spontaneum L. Saccharum spontaneum is the wild species with generally low sucrose levels and is used to introgress traits such as high yield, increased disease resistance, and ratooning. Molecular markers generated across the Saccharum genome were used to analyze diversity across 430 S. spontaneum accessions collected from 21 different countries and 255 cultivars from two breeding programs. A total of 724 markers were used for principle coordinate and cluster analysis, which revealed two main clusters that corresponded to accessions collected north or south of the Tropic of Cancer. The majority of the accessions clustered according to country of origin. Genetic similarity ranged from 0.25 to 0.54, with the highest diversity in accessions collected in Indonesia, followed by China, India, and Thailand, and the lowest in the Philippines. The diversity in the cultivar collection was lower than in the S. spontaneum accessions, as expected. Despite the low number of S. spontaneum clones used for breeding varieties, 51 to 80% of markers were captured in the breeding populations, although many at a low frequency. This is due to the high heterozygosity of sugarcane related to high ploidy and the introgression programs that have been performed in a number of sugarcane breeding programs. The genetic similarity was highest within the breeding program, and there remains large amounts of unexplored diversity in the wild germplasm. Diversity analysis could be used to guide the selection of wild S. spontaneum accessions, along with phenotypic data for introgression into breeding programs to increase genetic diversity.
Diagnostic Markers for Vernalization and Photoperiod Loci Improve Genomic Selection for Grain Yield and Spectral Reflectance in Wheat
Authors: Mason R. Esten , Addison Christopher K. , Babar Ali , Acuna Andrea , Lozada Dennis , Subramanian Nithya , Arguello Maria Nelly , Miller Randall G. , Brown‐Guedira Gina , Guedira Mohammed , Johnson Jerry
Published: November 2017

The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) measured across different growth stages in a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) recombinant inbred line (RIL) population and to determine the predictability of NDVI and grain yield (GY) using a genomic selection (GS) approach. The RILs were grown over three seasons in 12 total site‐years and NDVI was measured in seven site‐years. Measurements of NDVI from tillering to physiological maturity showed low to moderate heritability (h2 = 0.06–0.68). Positive correlations were observed among NDVI, GY, and biomass, particularly in low‐yielding site‐years. Quantitative trait loci analysis found 18 genomic regions associated with NDVI, with most pleiotropic across multiple growth stages. The QTL were detected near markers for Ppd‐B1, Ppd‐D1, vrn‐A1, and vrn‐B1, with Ppd‐D1 having the largest effect. Multiple QTL models showed that epistatic interactions between Ppd and Vrn loci also significantly influenced NDVI. Genomic selection accuracy ranged from r = −0.10 to 0.54 for NDVI across growth stages. However, the inclusion of Vrn and Ppd loci as fixed effect covariates increased GS accuracy for NDVI and GY in site‐year groupings with the lowest heritability. The highest accuracy for GY (r = 0.58–0.59) was observed in the site‐year grouping with the highest heritability (h2 = 0.85). Overall, these results will aid in future selection of optimal plant growth for target environments using both phenotypic and GS approaches.
CALL in Post-Method Era
Authors: Almaktary Hussien M. Abdo , Al-Kadi Abdu M. Talib
Published: November 2017

This paper touches on the influx of technology in language learning and teaching with a focus on the post-method era. Scrutinizing this phenomenon within the framework of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) shows how technology has stimulated a transformation of language pedagogy from the traditional teacher-centered and text-bound classrooms to student-centered and interactive paradigms. While the former paradigm is based on methodology, the latter is guided by principled eclecticism in which teachers make use of a set of macro-strategies so as to make decisions while teaching, instead of reliance on methods that dictate ‘how to teach’. The teaching principles capitalize on teachers’ sensitivity to local contexts rather than general methods. Though CALL has been mooted as panacea for ELT flaws in the method and post-method eras, it is not a one-size-fits-all model. Due to changeable and diversified technological innovations, it is impractical to adopt an electronic device or application for all contexts. Accordingly, the post-method pedagogy puts the onus on language teachers to make informed choices that best fit the particularity of their teaching situations.
Does Employee Stock Ownership Plan matter? An empirical note
Authors: Ismiyanti Fitri , Anom Mahadwartha Putu
Published: December 2017

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is a company program to provide incentives to managers to increase shareholder wealth and to align interests between the shareholders and the management. This ESOP is one of the most effective efforts to reduce conflicts of interest between the owners and the managers. ESOP program is basically intended to provide motivation and incentives for employees, so that employees will have a sense of concern (sense of belonging) to the company. Productivity is a reflection of the level of efficiency and effectiveness of work in total in a company. Productivity becomes very important, because it can describe the performance of a company. Performance is defined as the size or level at which individuals and organizations can achieve goals effectively and efficiently. This study aims to examine the effect of ESOP variables on company performance by using productivity as a mediating variable in non-financial companies in Indonesia Stock Exchange. The sample used in this research is companies that implement ESOP in the period 2000–2015. In this study, the company’s performance is measured by using return on assets, return on equity and Tobin’s Q, while productivity is measured by using sales per employee, cash flow per employee, and total assets turnover. Based on the results, it can be concluded that Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) has a positive and significant impact on productivity.
Changes in temporal inequality and persistence of precipitation over China during the period 1961–2013
Authors: Hu Shanshan , Feng Fan , Liu Wenbin , She Dunxian
Published: November 2017

The spatial-temporal variability of precipitation is closely related to the occurrence of drought/flood, which thus merits close study. Here we examine the temporal inequality and persistence of precipitation over China from 1961 to 2013, through the use of Gini coefficient, Lorenz asymmetry coefficient and parameters (P00 and P11) of first-order Markov chain. The Mann-Kendall test was also applied to assess the changes in all indices used. The results showed that the temporal inequality of daily precipitation increased, associated with decreased wet days and increased heavy precipitation events, during the past century in most parts of China. The dry spell overall increased while wet spell declined during the period 1961–2013, which implied that the risks of both drought and flood would enhance over China in the future. However, the changes in temporal inequality and persistence of precipitation varied among sub-regions and basins, for example, extreme precipitation decreased in Songhua River basin and Pearl River basin but increased in other basins. The results obtained in this study would be helpful for understanding the spatial-temporal changes of precipitation (and thus drought and flood disasters) and for developing reasonable strategies for water resources management over China under the changing climate.
Sodium hypochlorite dosage for household and emergency water treatment: updated recommendations
Authors: Wilhelm Natalie , Kaufmann Anya , Blanton Elizabeth , Lantagne Daniele
Published: December 2017

Household water treatment with chlorine can improve the microbiological quality of household water and reduce diarrheal disease. We conducted laboratory and field studies to inform chlorine dosage recommendations. In the laboratory, reactors of varying turbidity (10–300 NTU) and total organic carbon (0–25 mg/L addition) were created, spiked with Escherichia coli, and dosed with 3.75 mg/L sodium hypochlorite. All reactors had >4 log reduction of E. coli 24 hours after chlorine addition. In the field, we tested 158 sources in 22 countries for chlorine demand. A 1.88 mg/L dosage for water from improved sources of <5 or <10 NTU turbidity met free chlorine residual criteria (≤2.0 mg/L at 1 hour, ≥0.2 mg/L at 24 hours) 91–94% and 82–87% of the time at 8 and 24 hours, respectively. In unimproved water source samples, a 3.75 mg/L dosage met relaxed criteria (≤4.0 mg/L at 1 hour, ≥0.2 mg/L after 24 hours) 83% and 65% of the time after 8 and 24 hours, respectively. We recommend water from improved/low turbidity sources be dosed at 1.88 mg/L and used within 24 hours, and from unimproved/higher turbidity sources be dosed at 3.75 mg/L and consumed within 8 hours. Further research on field effectiveness of chlorination is recommended.
Investigating the capability of two hybrid intelligence methods to predict bedform dimensions of alluvial channels
Authors: Qaderi Kourosh , Maddahi Mohammad Reza , Rahimpour Majid , Masoumi Shahr-babak Mojtaba
Published: November 2017

Dimensions of river bedforms have an effect on total roughness. The complexity of bedform development causes empirical methods to differentiate from each other in predicting bedform dimensions. In this paper, two novel hybrid intelligence models based on a combination of the group method of data handling (GMDH) with the harmony search (HS) algorithm and shuffled complex evolution (SCE) have been developed for predicting bedform dimensions. A data set of 446 field and laboratory measurements were used to evaluate the ability of the developed models. The results were compared to conventional GMDH models with two kinds of transfer functions and an empirical formula. Also, five different combinations of dimensionless parameters as input variables were examined for predicting bedform dimensions. Results reveal that GMDH-HS and GMDH-SCE have good performance in predicting bedform dimensions, and all artificial intelligence methods were dramatically different to the empirical formula of van Rijn showing that using these methods is a key to solving complexity in predicting bedform dimensions. Also, comparing different combinations of dimensionless parameters reveals that there is no significant difference between the accuracy of each combination in predicting bedform dimensions.
Flow-through electrosorption process for removal of 2,4-D pesticide from aqueous solutions onto activated carbon cloth fixed-bed electrodes
Authors: Bayram Edip , Kızıl Çağdaş , Ayrancı Erol
Published: November 2017

Wastewater treatment systems have great importance in dealing with increasing environmental pollution. In this study, a specially designed and constructed flow-through electrochemical cell was used to enhance the electrosorptive removal capacity of 2,4-Dichlorofenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) pesticide from aqueous solutions onto high area activated carbon cloth (ACC) fixed-bed electrodes. The change in concentration of 2,4-D during the electrosorption process was followed by an online UV–Vis spectrophotometric system. Effects of operational parameters such as volumetric flow rate, applied potential and existence of Na2SO4 salt on electrosorption of 2,4-D were examined. Optimum values were found to be 10 mL·min−1 for volumetric flow rate and +900 mV for the applied potential to polarize ACC. Maximum capacity of 729 mg·gACC−1 has been achieved for removal of 2,4-D pesticides.
Treatment wetlands in decentralised approaches for linking sanitation to energy and food security
Authors: Langergraber Guenter , Masi Fabio
Published: November 2017

Treatment wetlands (TWs) are engineered systems that mimic the processes in natural wetlands with the purpose of treating contaminated water. Being a simple and robust technology, TWs are applied worldwide to treat various types of water. Besides treated water for reuse, TWs can be used in resources-oriented sanitation systems for recovering nutrients and carbon, as well as for growing biomass for energy production. Additionally, TWs provide a large number of ecosystem services. Integrating green infrastructure into urban developments can thus facilitate circular economy approaches and has positive impacts on environment, economy and health.
One Step Forward: Development of a Program Promoting Active School Transportation (Preprint)
Authors: Lindqvist Anna-Karin , Rutberg Stina
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

Physical activity promotes health and learning. However, up to 80% of the children in industrialized countries do not achieve the recommended level of daily physical activity. By encouraging children to use active school transportation (AST), it is possible to increase their overall physical activity.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this paper was to present the development of an AST intervention using Intervention Mapping (IM) to promote children’s physical activity.

METHODS

The principles of IM were applied to guide the development of the intervention. The process was divided into 3 phases. First, a literature review and collection of experiences of stakeholders were carried out to gain a broad perspective on the problem and possible solutions. Thereafter, an analysis of the critical environmental and behavioral factors affecting outcome was conducted, which guided the choice of tangible components of the intervention. Finally, a plan of evaluation and implementation was established.

RESULTS

A structured program to increase AST among children was developed, consisting of 3 subsequent phases that are described in detail. Implementation took place, and evaluation of the intervention is being carried out.

CONCLUSIONS

IM proved to be a valuable method to develop a structured AST intervention for children. By following the steps of the IM process, it became evident that empowerment and gamification are 2 promising avenues to consider when designing AST interventions in a school context. By engaging end users and including important agents, such as parents and teachers, who control the environmental factors, the possibility to design a sustainable program increases. In addition, gamification made it possible to integrate learning into AST, which could motivate schools to devote time and effort to implementing this program.
Effect of Global Warming on Indian Agriculture
Authors: Shah Ruchita , Srivastava Rohit
Published: November 2017

Agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy which in turn relies on the monsoon season. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projected that the global mean surface temperature will likely rise and may result into uneven climatic changes such as irregular rainfall patterns, increased surface temperature and elevated CO2 content in the atmosphere. Research studies indicate that weathering parameters influence strongly (67%) compared to other factors like soil and nutrient management (33%) during the cropping season. Researchers have confirmed that crop yield falls by 3-5% for every 1°F increase in the temperature. Present study shows that the crop production is dependent on temperature and shows a funnel shape for all the seasons. At lower temperature both the properties are almost linearly correlated, whereas at higher temperatures, it increases but with large scattering. The findings may be helpful to study the effect of climate change on the crop production.
Percepciones sobre la autonomía universitaria de los docentes-investigadores de la Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica de la Universidad de Buenos Aires
Authors: Rikap Cecilia
Published: November 2017

El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la vigencia del concepto de autonomía universitaria en la Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), ante la apertura de vínculos de investigación con empresas de capital. Para ello, se distinguen tres dimensiones de dicha autonomía (corporativa, de la razón y financiera). Se sugiere que es la autonomía financiera la actualmente jerarquizada y que su búsqueda ha orientado a la UBA a la producción para el mercado, direccionando sus investigaciones según demandas privadas que ponen en riesgo a la autonomía de la razón. Asimismo, se sostiene que la crisis de representación de sus órganos de gobierno ha transformado la autonomía corporativa en escudo de necesidades de grupos reducidos. A partir de entrevistas en profundidad a un grupo de docentes-investigadores de una de sus llamadas facultades de investigación, la Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, estudiamos luego cómo son entendidas esas dimensiones de la autonomía universitaria, indagando si tales riesgos aparecen en sus percepciones.