bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and characterization of poly(urethane-imide) nanocomposite films filled with iron oxide–silica and clay–silane–iron oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Pooladian Baharak , Alavi Nikje Mir Mohammad
Published: July 2017

Magnetic poly(urethane-imide) nanocomposite films were prepared by two different methods. In the first method, poly(urethane-imide) was reacted with iron oxide–silica particles magnetic and in second method synthesized poly(urethane-imide) was reacted with clay–(3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane–iron oxide particles magnetic. Poly(urethane-imide)s were prepared using polyurethane prepolymer and pyromellitic dianhydride. The polyurethane prepolymers were prepared by reacting 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate and polypropylene glycol. Magnetic clay–(3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane–iron oxide nanoparticle has been prepared as a novel catalyst. The resulting magnetic nanocomposite films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometery, and scanning electron microscopy. Observed data show that 3.5 pbw magnetic nanoparticles (iron oxide–silica and clay–(3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane–iron oxide) have optimum thermal and magnetic properties when compared with pristine as well as other prepared samples containing nanocomposites less than 3.5 pbw nanoparticles.
Retrospective Clinical Study of Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Treated With Chemotherapy and Abdominal Hyperthermia
Authors: Fan Yu-Fei , Qin Yuan , Li Ding-Gang , Kerr David
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Hyperthermia is a mechanistically plausible partner with chemotherapy, although many of the underlying molecular mechanisms of this combination treatment are not yet properly understood. Preclinical studies suggest that there is potential synergy with gemcitabine and that provides the basis for retrospective analysis of a clinical series combining these treatment modalities for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

Patients and Methods

Twenty-nine chemotherapy-naive patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic carcinoma with malignant ascites were treated with intraperitoneal cisplatin 30 mg/m2 and gemcitabine 800 to 1,000 mg/m2 intravenously on days 1, 8, and 15 every 28 days until tumor progression. Patients also received regional hyperthermia treatment (41 to 42°C) on the upper abdomen two times per week from days 1 to 21.

Results

In all, 83 cycles of chemotherapy were administered and were generally well tolerated. No patients had a complete response, 13 had a partial response, seven had stable disease, and 9 had progressive disease. Mean progression-free survival and overall survival were 119 ± 61days and 195 ± 98 days, respectively.

Conclusion

This study provides preliminary evidence that the treatment approach of combined systemic and intraperitoneal chemotherapy plus hyperthermia is well tolerated, is active, and has an acceptable survival profile for patients with stage IV pancreatic cancer and ascites.
ΠΑΡΟΥΣΙΑΣΗ ΑΡΘΡΩΝ
Authors: ΣΤΑΘΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ ΧΑΡΟΥΛΑ , ΤΖΕΚΑΚΗ ΜΑΡΙΑΝΝΑ
Published: July 2017

Συνοπτική παρουσίαση των άρθρων του τεύχους
ΕΙΣΑΓΩΓΗ ΣΤΟ ΤΕΥΧΟΣ
Authors: ΜΑΜΩΝΑ - DOWNS ΓΙΑΝΝΑ
Published: July 2017

Εισαγωγικό σημείωμα για το τεύχος
Οικονομική Κρίση και Κοινωνικό Κράτος
Authors: Ρομπόλης Σάββας
Published: July 2017

[μη διαθέσιμη περίληψη/ no abstract available]
Η Κοινωνική Διάσταση της «Ευρώπης 2020»: Ρητορική και Πραγματικότητα
Authors: Φερώνας Ανδρέας
Published: July 2017

Ως διάδοχος της Στρατηγικής της Λισσαβόνας, η «Ευρώπη 2020» αποτελεί τη νέα δεκαετή στρατηγική της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης (ΕΕ) για μια «έξυπνη», «βιώσιμη» και «χωρίς αποκλεισμούς» ανάπτυξη. Το άρθρο αυτό επιχειρεί μια κριτική αποτίμηση της κοινωνικής διάστασης της νέας αυτής ευρωπαϊκής στρατηγικής. Μεθοδολογικά το κεντρικό επιχείρημα αναπτύσσεται σε δύο επίπεδα ανάλυσης. Στο επίπεδο της ρητορικής, η «Ευρώπη 2020» εμφανίζεται περισσότερο κοινωνική από τη Στρατηγική της Λισσαβόνας και ιδιαίτερα από την αναθεωρημένη εκδοχή της (2005), αφού επαναφέρει, μεταξύ άλλων, την καταπολέμηση της φτώχειας και του κοινωνικού αποκλεισμού στο επίκεντρο της Ευρωπαϊκής πολιτικής ατζέντας και θεσπίζει για πρώτη φορά ποσοτικούς στόχους και κατευθυντήριες γραμμές για την καταπολέμηση τους. Ωστόσο, η πραγματικότητα, όπως προκύπτει από τη διετή εφαρμογή της Στρατηγικής, είναι ασύμβατη με τους διακηρυγμένους στόχους. Οι επιπτώσεις της διεθνούς οικονομικής κρίσης, η κυριαρχία του νεοφιλελεύθερου «παραδείγματος» στις πολιτικές της ΕΕ, αλλά και εγγενείς ασάφειες και αντιφάσεις αναφορικά με τον τρόπο διακυβέρνησης της νέας Στρατηγικής, καθιστούν εξαιρετικά αμφίβολη, αν όχι ανέφικτη, την προοπτική ενδυνάμωσης της κοινωνικής διάστασης της Ευρωπαϊκής ολοκλήρωσης.
Ικανοποίηση με τις Συνθήκες Εργασίας, Οργάνωση της Εργασίας και Γνώση, 1995-2010
Authors: Γαβρόγλου Σταύρος
Published: July 2017

Εξετάζονται τα δεδομένα των τεσσάρων τελευταίων κυμάτων (1995-2010) του European Working Conditions Survey που διενεργεί το European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions αναφορικά με την ικανοποίηση των εργαζομένων με τις συνθήκες εργασίας τους, στην Ελλάδα και στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση (ΕΕ15). Διερευνώνται οι διαφορές μεταξύ χωρών αλλά και μεταξύ επιμέρους ομάδων απασχολούμενων. Διερευνάται η σχέση μεταξύ της ικανοποίησης με τις συνθήκες εργασίας και των διαρθρωτικών χαρακτηριστικών της απασχόλησης, καθώς και μεταξύ της ικανοποίησης και των διαφορετικών μορφών οργάνωσης της εργασίας. Αναδεικνύεται η ιδιαίτερη σημασία της εκμάθησης νέων πραγμάτων στη δουλειά για την ικανοποίηση με τις συνθήκες εργασίας.
Οι συνέπειες των μετακινήσεων των λαών στην πολιτισμική τους ταυτότητα. Η περίπτωση της ταυτότητας των Ποντίων
Authors: Παραδεισοπούλου Πολύμνια
Published: July 2017

Η εργασία έχει στόχο να αναδείξει τις διαδρομές μιας εθνοτικής πολιτισμικής ταυτότητας – συγκεκριμένα της ποντιακής – στον ελλαδικό χώρο.  Το ελληνικό εθνικό κράτος, κατά τη διαδικασία εθνικής ολοκλήρωσης και  ομογενοποίησης, χρησιμοποίησε διάφορους τρόπους για να εντάξει στο κυρίαρχο πολιτισμικό πρότυπο, όλες τις εθνοτικές ομάδες, που το αποτελούσαν. Μία από τις ομάδες αυτές είναι η ποντιακή. Οι Πόντιοι, έχουν μια ιδιαίτερη πολιτισμική ταυτότητα που εκφράζεται, τόσο με τη στενή έννοια του όρου – διάλεκτος, τρόπος διαβίωσης, ήθη, έθιμα - όσο και με  μία ευρύτερη έννοια, που εκδηλώνεται μέσα από τον τρόπο σκέψης και δράσης, που είναι διαφοροποιημένος από τον κυρίαρχο εθνικό.  Η ποντιακή ταυτότητα, παρά τις διακυμάνσεις που υπέστη υπό την επιρροή διαφόρων μορφών αποκλεισμού, προσπαθειών επιβίωσης και παρά τη διέλευση ενός αιώνα από την είσοδο των πρώτων Ποντίων προσφύγων στην Ελλάδα,  παραμένει σε μεγάλο βαθμό ενεργή, ανθεκτική και ισχυρή, άλλοτε σε αντιπαράθεση και άλλοτε σε σύμπλευση με την εθνική πολιτισμική ταυτότητα.
Η Παρούσα Κοινωνικοοικονομική Κατάσταση των Πυρόπληκτων Περιοχών του Νομού Ηλείας: Μια Δειγματοληπτική Μελέτη
Authors: Ρίτσαρντσον Κλάιβ , Γεωργά Αλεξάνδρα , Τάτο Μιράντα
Published: July 2017

Μελετήσαμε τις κοινωνικοοικονομικές επιπτώσεις των καταστροφικών πυρκαγιών που εκδηλώθηκαν στο Νομό Ηλείας το 2007. Πραγματοποιήθηκε μία δειγματοληπτική έρευνα (Ν=1529) στις πυρόπληκτες περιοχές το 2012. Ο πληθυσμός αυτής της κυρίως ορεινής περιοχής είναι σε μεγάλο βαθμό ηλικιωμένος (το ένα τέταρτο άνω των 65 ετών) με χαμηλή μόρφωση (45% με πρωτοβάθμια εκπαίδευση μόνο). Το μεγαλύτερο μέρος του εργατικού δυναμικού είναι αυτοαπασχολούμενο σε γεωργικά ή άλλα επαγγέλματα, με λίγους μισθωτούς. Το 52% θεωρεί ότι η οικονομική τους κατάσταση χειροτέρεψε μετά τις πυρκαγιές αν και οι περισσότεροι αναφέρουν ως μοναδική ή κύρια αιτία την οικονομική κρίση. Προβλήματα στέγασης επίσης δε θεωρούνται ότι προκλήθηκαν από τις πυρκαγιές αλλά προϋπήρχαν. Η έρευνα δεν ανέδειξε έντονα φαινόμενα κοινωνικού αποκλεισμού. Ωστόσο, ο πληθυσμός είναι επιρρεπής ιδιαίτερα στη φτώχεια και στο γεωγραφικό αποκλεισμό.
Διαχείριση των Διαθέσιμων Κεφαλαίων των Ασφαλιστικών Ταμείων με την Χρήση Νευρωνικών Δικτύων
Authors: Μέμος Κωνσταντίνος , Ρομπόλης Σάββας
Published: July 2017

Η κεντρική επιδίωξη της έρευνας  επικεντρώνεται στη διερεύνηση και διατύπωση μιας εναλλακτικής μεθόδου αποτελεσματικής αξιοποίησης των διαθεσίμων κεφαλαίων της Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης στη χώρα μας η οποία βασίζεται στη χρήση μοντέλου Νευρωνικών Δικτύων. Στο πλαίσιο αυτό η έρευνα εστιάζεται στη διαχείριση των διαθεσίμων κεφαλαίων του Συστήματος Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης, στα Τεχνικά Νευρωνικά Δίκτυα και στο επενδυτικό μοντέλο Τεχνικών Νευρωνικών Δικτύων.
Κοινωνική Πολιτική και Βιοπολιτική. Από την ταξική αντιπαράθεση στη «μικροφυσική της εξουσίας»
Authors: Αλεξίου Θανάσης
Published: July 2017

Αφού πρώτα ορίσουμε το περιεχόμενο και τις λειτουργίες της κοινωνικής πολιτικής καθώς και το ιστορικο-θεωρητικό πλαίσιο στη συνέχεια θα αναδείξουμε τις επιστημολογικές και μεθοδολογικές προκείμενες που πλαισιώνουν την αναλυτική κατηγορία της βιοπολιτικής. Η ανάδειξη αυτή κάνει νόημα: α) επειδή ολοένα και πιο συχνά η κοινωνική πολιτική προσδιορίζεται ως βιοπολιτική, και β) επειδή η ουσιοκρατική αντίληψη για την εξουσία που ενυπάρχει στο «παράδειγμα» της βιοπολιτικής, αποσπά την κοινωνική πολιτική από την ταξική αντιπαράθεση για την πρόσβαση σε σπάνιους πόρους και μέσα και την  μεταφέρει στο λαβύρινθο των σχέσεων εξουσίας. Ουσιαστικά έχουμε να κάνουμε με αλλαγή «παραδείγματος» καθώς στην περίπτωση της βιοπολιτικής δεν υπάρχουν ούτε συμπαγή κοινωνικά υποκείμενα, δηλαδή κοινωνικές τάξεις, ούτε κεντρικοί πόλοι εξουσίας (κράτος, κεφάλαιο, υπερεθνικοί οργανισμοί κ.λπ.). Εδώ οι ταξικές σχέσεις είναι περισσότερο απότοκο των εξουσιαστικών σχέσεων. Συνεπώς η διευθέτηση των μεθοδολογικών ζητημάτων που προκύπτουν πρωτίστως από την πληθωριστική χρήση της βιοπολιτικής, θα προσδιορίσει με σαφέστερο τρόπο την αναλυτική ικανότητα και την εγχειρηματικότητά της σε ζητήματα κοινωνικής πολιτικής.
Ευέλικτη Απασχόληση στην Ελλάδα της Κρίσης: Σκέψεις και Διαπιστώσεις
Authors: Κούγιας Κωνσταντίνος
Published: July 2017

Την τελευταία διετία παρατηρείται μια οριακή διόρθωση στους δείκτες της ανεργίας και της απασχόλησης, η οποία όμως εκδηλώνεται με την υποχώρηση της τυπικής και πλήρους απασχόλησης και την ενίσχυση της μη τυπικής και ευέλικτης εργασίας. Το παρόν άρθρο στοχεύει στην παρουσίαση της εικόνας  της ευέλικτης εργασίας στην Ελλάδα κατά την περίοδο 2010-2016 και στον εμπλουτισμό της δημόσιας συζήτησης για την απασχόληση που αποτελεί ένα από σημείο κλειδί για την ανάκαμψη και την έξοδο από την κρίση.
The potential role of microbiota for controlling the spread of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) in neonatal population
Authors: Delerue Thibaud , de Pontual Loic , Carbonnelle Etienne , Zahar Jean-Ralph
Published: July 2017

The spread of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) in the hospital and also the community is worrisome. Neonates particularly are exposed to the risk of ESBL-PE acquisition and, owing to the immaturity of their immune system, to a higher secondary risk of ESBL-PE-related infection. Reducing the risk of acquisition in the hospital is usually based on a bundle of measures, including screening policies at admission, improving hand hygiene compliance, and decreasing antibiotic consumption. However, recent scientific data suggest new prevention opportunities based on microbiota modifications.
Modern Neuraxial Anesthesia for Labor and Delivery
Authors: Meng Marie-Louise , Smiley Richard
Published: July 2017

The availability of safe, effective analgesia during labor has become an expectation for women in most of the developed world over the past two or three decades. More than 60% of women in the United States now receive some kind of neuraxial procedure during labor. This article is a brief review of the advantages and techniques of neuraxial labor analgesia along with the recent advances and controversies in the field of labor analgesia. For the most part, we have aimed the discussion at the non-anesthesiologist to give other practitioners a sense of the state of the art and science of labor analgesia in the second decade of the 21st century.
Co-evolution techniques are reshaping the way we do structural bioinformatics
Authors: de Oliveira Saulo , Deane Charlotte
Published: July 2017

Co-evolution techniques were originally conceived to assist in protein structure prediction by inferring pairs of residues that share spatial proximity. However, the functional relationships that can be extrapolated from co-evolution have also proven to be useful in a wide array of structural bioinformatics applications. These techniques are a powerful way to extract structural and functional information in a sequence-rich world.
Up-and-down immunity of pregnancy in humans
Authors: Le Bouteiller Philippe , Bensussan Armand
Published: July 2017

One part of the human placenta in early pregnancy is particularly important for local immunity: the decidua basalis, which is transformed endometrium located at the site of embryo implantation. This placental bed tissue contains both maternal uterine immune cells, including decidual natural killer (NK) cells, the dominant leukocyte population exhibiting a unique phenotype, and fetal extravillous trophoblast which comes into direct contact with maternal decidual cells. To establish a successful placental development and healthy pregnancy outcome, the maternal immune system must tolerate paternal antigens expressed by trophoblast cells yet remain efficient for clearing any local pathogen infection. This review deals mainly with decidual NK cells. A key element, among others, to achieve such dual functions is the direct interaction between activating and inhibitory receptors expressed by decidual NK cells and their specific ligands presented by trophoblast or other decidual cells. Depending whether maternal decidual cells and trophoblast are infected by viruses, the balance between activating and inhibitory receptor signals mediated by decidual NK cell–trophoblast cross-talk results in tolerance (healthy pregnancy) or specific killing (pathogen-infected cells).
Pedagogy Key Issues in the Higher Education Context
Authors: Брукс Е. , Bruks E.
Published: July 2017

The article analyzes contemporary pedagogical conditions in learning and training at the higher education. The opinion of a number of researches is reconsidered in the article. Special attention is paid to the concepts which are student oriented. The author singles out pedagogical aims and objectives where an individual approach is the essence to the educational process. The author defines specifics in training and learning and, it’s from this point of view, the effectiveness and quality of education is studied. The article identifies directions for further research in this field.
The “MelArete” Project: Educating children to the Ethics of Virtue and of Care
Authors: Mortari Luigina , Ubbiali Marco
Published: July 2017

The educative project MelArete proposes an interpretation of ethical education: a form of Education to Virtue Ethics in the light of the philosophy of care. Starting from the ontological assumption that care is prime in life and without it the human being cannot flourish in his/her humanity, the project is based on an interpretation of the pedagogy of care. Since the practice of care reveals to have an ethical core and that core is made of ways of being-with-the-others, the pedagogical theory of MelArete states that in order to develop a project that is in relationship with the core of life we must educate to care. Therefore, educating to care means educating to virtues. On this basis MelArete proposes activities with the aim to guide children’s attention to the concepts of care and virtues.  MelArete has its many references in Plato and Aristotle; besides it assumes the distinction of Ricoeur between ethics and morality. In Plato/Socrates (Alcibiades I) ethics is an educational action that allows the others to thrive in their own existential capabilities; moreover, in Aristotle’s (Nicomachean Ethics) ethics searches for eudaimonia, a good quality of life. In our educational project with children, the educative methods are the following: conversations (promoting intersubjective thought), narratives (reading and writing stories about virtues), vignettes and games (stimulating ethical thinking through a playful language) and the “diary of virtues” (promoting a reflecting culture of virtues in everyday life). In this paper we present the theoretical background of the project and a summary of the pedagogical approach and application which we are testing in our research.
Effect of Multimedia Assisted 7E Learning Model Applications on Academic Achievement and Retention in Students
Authors: Sarac Hakan , Tarhan Devrim
Published: July 2017

In the rapidly developing age of technology, the contribution of using multimedia-supported instructional materials in the field of teaching technologies to science education has been increasing steadily. The purpose of this research is to compare the multimedia learning instructional materials prepared according to the 7E learning model and the students' academic success and the effect on the reminiscence of the learned knowledge in the science course described using traditional methods and models. In this research, a quadruple pattern of solomon was used as a semi-experimental design. As a data collection tool, the Matter's Change Unit Success Test was used. The research was conducted in fall semester of 2014-2015 academic year and on 92 fifth grade students. Experimental groups were given instructional materials prepared according to 7E model with multimedia support and control groups were taught with traditional method. There was no statistically significant difference in the pre-test scores of the experimental-1 and control-1 groups according to the independent t-test results in the applied success test but there was a statistically significant difference in favor of the experimental groups according to the post-test and retention test scores. According to the analyzed results; There is a statistically significant difference between the post-test and retention test scores of the experimental groups. There is also a statistically significant difference between the post-test and retention test scores of the control groups. But this difference is in favor of experimental groups. According to the results of the study, it can be said that the learning material prepared according to the multimedia supported 7E model influences the academic achievement positively and the learned information is more memorable.
Views of Mathematics Teacher Candidates about the Technological Tools That Can Be Used in Mathematics Lessons
Authors: Kutluca Tamer
Published: July 2017

In this research, it was aimed to determine the views of mathematics teacher candidates about the technological tools that can be used in mathematics lessons. The research was conducted through qualitative research methodology. 120 teacher candidates who were educated in the mathematics teacher education program in Dicle University Ziya Gokalp Education Faculty took part to the research. The data of the study were collected through semi-structured interviews. The data collection tool used in the study is an interview form developed by the researcher, and it consists of open-ended questions. In the analysis of the data, descriptive analyses were used. As a result of the data analysis obtained from the research, it was determined that teacher candidates responded as “computer/computer software” at most for the questions about what technological tools could be used in mathematics lessons, what technological tools they would use when they were teachers, and which technological tools would be beneficial. In addition, teacher candidates stated that there were computers at most as technological tools in their faculties and the technological tools in their faculties were mostly used for visualization/concretization the subject.
The Probiotic VSL#3 Modulates Colonic Macrophages, Inflammation, and Microflora in Acute Trinitrobenzene Sulfonic Acid Colitis
Authors: Isidro Raymond A. , Lopez Abdon , Cruz Myrella L. , Gonzalez Torres Mayra I. , Chompre Gladys , Isidro Angel A. , Appleyard Caroline B.
Published: July 2017

The probiotic mixture VSL#3 attenuates colitis in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and in animal models of this condition, but the mechanisms involved are incompletely understood. VSL#3 alters macrophage morphology and secretory profile in vitro in a polarization-dependent manner. We examined the effect of VSL#3 on macrophages in acute trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis. Rats were randomized to normal, colitis, or colitis+VSL#3 groups. After sacrifice, the colons were evaluated for macroscopic and microscopic damage. Serum cytokine levels were measured, and microbiome analysis undertaken. Total and M1 colonic macrophages, and total and proliferating hepatic macrophages were assessed by double immunofluorescence staining. Colitis+VSL#3 rats had lower macroscopic damage, with less microscopic damage in the proximal colon, compared with colitis alone. Colitis significantly increased colonic macrophage infiltration, which was significantly reduced by VSL#3 treatment. VSL#3 did not decrease the colitis-induced surge of colonic M1 macrophages or hepatic macrophages. VSL#3 reduced colitis-induced serum cytokine levels, and induced restoration of colonic transcript levels for pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and barrier proteins to, or past, normal levels. Fecal bacteria distribution changed between groups. In summary, the probiotic VSL#3 reduces colitis severity, colonic macrophage infiltration, and serum cytokine levels, but does not dampen the pro-inflammatory phenotype of M1 macrophages.
Amperometric Biosensor for Pesticide Methamidophos Assay
Authors: Pohanka Miroslav , Kuča Kamil , Jun Daniel
Published: July 2017

Amperometric biosensor based on enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE; EC 3.1.1.7) was tested for pesticide methamidophos assay. Biosensor consists from four screen printed platinum electrodes on ceramic strip. AChE was physically adsorbed onto the electrode surface. The measuring principle was based on the inhibition of AChE activity in the presence of methamidophos. The proposed method limit of detection was 2.45 nM, responding to 3.46 pg of methamidophos detected absolutely when we consider the sample volume.
Advancing teacher technology education using open-ended learning environments as research and training platforms
Authors: Poitras Eric G , Doleck Tenzin , Huang Lingyun , Li Shan , Lajoie Susanne P
Published: July 2017

A primary concern of teacher technology education is for pre-service teachers to develop a sophisticated mental model of the affordances of technology that facilitates both teaching and learning with technology. One of the main obstacles to developing the requisite technological pedagogical content knowledge is the inherent challenge faced by teachers in monitoring and controlling certain aspects of their own learning while navigating the web and designing a lesson plan. This paper reviews preliminary findings obtained in our research with nBrowser, an intelligent web browser designed to support pre-service teachers’ self-regulated learning and acquisition of technological pedagogical content knowledge. Case examples of data mining techniques are presented that allow the discovery of knowledge regarding pre-service teachers’ information-seeking and acquisition behaviours and how to support them. The first case illustrates the use of simulated learner experiments, while the second involves the creation of a model to detect learner behaviours. We discuss the implications in terms of design guidelines recommendations for nBrowser as well as the broader impacts for future research on technological pedagogical content knowledge research and development.
Do exercises improve back pain in pregnancy?
Authors: Abu Muhammad Azrai , Abdul Ghani Nur Azurah , Shan Lim Pei , Sulaiman Aqmar Suraya , Omar Mohd Hashim , Ariffin Mohd Hisam Muhamad , Baharuddin Azmi , Shohaimi Shuhaila , Man Zuraidah Che
Published: July 2017

Objective

To assess the efficacy of an exercise program towards reducing back pain in pregnant women.

Methods

In this prospective control study, 145 low risk pregnant women who scored more than 20 for functional limitation assessment were recruited. The severity of back pain was assessed using the visual analoque scale (VAS) and the functional limitation was assessed using the Oswestry disability questionnaire (ODQ). All participants were informed of back care measures and provided with Paracetamol as an adjunct analgesia. The intervention group will have a session with a trained physiotherapist. Subsequently, all participants will be required to fill in a similar questionnaire regarding pain intensity and functional limitation assessment after 6 weeks post-intervention.

Results

There was a significant reduction in the VAS score and improvement in functional ODQ score in the intervention group. The median usage of Paracetamol as an analgesia to control back pain in the control group was 500 mg higher than the intervention group. There was a weak association of age, parity, duration of back pain, and body mass index with functional ODQ score at 6 week following intervention.

Conclusion

The back pain exercise reducing program was effective in reducing back pain intensity and analgesia usage with a significant improvement in functional ability.
45,X/46,XY ovotesticular disorder of sex development revisited: undifferentiated gonadal tissue may be mistaken as ovarian tissue
Authors: Andrade Juliana Gabriel Ribeiro de , Andrade Liliana Aparecida Lucci De Angelo , Guerra-Junior Gil , Maciel-Guerra Andréa Trevas
Published: July 2017

Background:

The 45,X/46,XY karyotype has been associated with mixed gonadal dysgenesis (MGD) and ovotesticular disorder of sex development (DSD). Our aim was to revise the diagnosis of ovotesticular DSD in two patients in the context of a retrospective study of 45,X/46,XY subjects with genital ambiguity.

Case presentation:

Patient 1 had a left streak gonad; the right one was considered an ovotestis. Patient 2 had a right testis; the left gonad was considered an ovary. Revision of the histological sections was performed. Both the “ovarian” part of the right gonad of patient 1 and the left “ovary” of patient 2 contained ovarian-type stroma with clusters of sex-cordlike structures and rare germ cells, compatible with undifferentiated gonadal tissue (UGT). Misdiagnosis of ovarian tissue in patients with 45,X/46,XY mosaicism or its variants could also be found in six published case reports.

Conclusions:

A distinction between 45,X/46,XY ovotesticular DSD and MGD should be made on past and future cases keeping in mind that UGT may be mistaken as ovarian tissue.
Foreign Aid Reciprocity Agreements: Committing Developing Countries to Improve the Effectiveness of Aid When They Become Donors
Authors: Skladany Martin
Published: July 2017

Existing best practices for aid delivery are well known and largely uncontroversial but often neglected by bilateral and multilateral aid agencies because of domestic political considerations and bureaucratic resistance. Developing countries should unilaterally ratify an agreement committing them, in the future, after they have experienced sustained and robust economic, social, and political development, to establish their own foreign aid programs that follow existing best practices for aid delivery. Such foreign aid reciprocity agreements would have numerous benefits, including: being an international tool to signal a developing country’s resolve to reform and a domestic tool to pressure corrupt public officials to improve; enabling developing countries to take a leadership position in international development discourses; putting pressure on developed countries to implement best practices; and encouraging other developing countries to support and eventually adopt aid reciprocity agreements, which would lead to an increase in the amount of aid in the future. Furthermore, the idea of unilateral reciprocity agreements could potentially be expanded to areas of international interaction beyond foreign aid such as finance, trade, security, technology transfer, migration, and environmental policies.
Electroanalytical techniques in archaeological and art conservation
Authors: Doménech-Carbó Antonio , Doménech-Carbó María Teresa
Published: July 2017

The application of electrochemical techniques for obtaining analytical information of interest in the fields of archaeometry, conservation and restoration of cultural heritage goods is reviewed. Focused on voltammetry of immobilised particles and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques, electrochemical measurements offer valuable information for identifying and quantifying components, tracing provenances and manufacturing techniques and provide new tools for authentication and dating.
Biotechnological potential of insect fatty acid-modifying enzymes
Authors: Tupec Michal , Buček Aleš , Valterová Irena , Pichová Iva
Published: July 2017

There are more than one million described insect species. This species richness is reflected in the diversity of insect metabolic processes. In particular, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, such as defensive compounds and chemical signals, encompasses an extraordinarily wide range of chemicals that are generally unparalleled among natural products from other organisms. Insect genomes, transcriptomes and proteomes thus offer a valuable resource for discovery of novel enzymes with potential for biotechnological applications. Here, we focus on fatty acid (FA) metabolism-related enzymes, notably the fatty acyl desaturases and fatty acyl reductases involved in the biosynthesis of FA-derived pheromones. Research on insect pheromone-biosynthetic enzymes, which exhibit diverse enzymatic properties, has the potential to broaden the understanding of enzyme specificity determinants and contribute to engineering of enzymes with desired properties for biotechnological production of FA derivatives. Additionally, the application of such pheromone-biosynthetic enzymes represents an environmentally friendly and economic alternative to the chemical synthesis of pheromones that are used in insect pest management strategies.
Acute Effects of Constant-Angle and Constant-Torque Static Stretching on Passive Stiffness of the Posterior Hip and Thigh Muscles in Healthy, Young and Old Men
Authors: Palmer Ty B.
Published: July 2017

Palmer, TB. Acute effects of constant-angle and constant-torque static stretching on passive stiffness of the posterior hip and thigh muscles in healthy, young and old men. J Strength Cond Res 33(11): 2991–2999, 2019—The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of constant-angle (CA) and constant-torque (CT) static stretching on passive stiffness of the posterior hip and thigh muscles in healthy, young and old men. Fifteen young (25 ± 3 years) and 15 old (71 ± 4 years) men underwent 2 passive straight-leg raise (SLR) assessments before and after 8 minutes of CA and CT stretching using an isokinetic dynamometer. Passive stiffness was calculated during each SLR as the slope of the final 10% of the angle-torque curve. The results indicated that passive stiffness decreased from pre- to post-stretching for both treatments (p ≤ 0.001–0.002) and age groups (p ≤ 0.001–0.046); however, greater decreases were observed for the CT than the CA stretching (p = 0.045) and for the old than the young men (p < 0.001). In addition, baseline stiffness was greater for the old than the younger men (p = 0.010) and was also negatively related (r = −0.721; p < 0.001) to the changes in stiffness from pre- to post-stretching. These findings suggest that holding stretches at a constant tension may be a more effective strategy for altering passive stiffness of the posterior hip and thigh muscles. The greater stretch-induced stiffness decreases observed for the older men provide support that acute static stretching may be particularly effective for reducing stiffness in the elderly. As a result, it may be advantageous to prescribe static stretching before exercise for older adults, as this may be used to elicit substantial declines in passive stiffness, which could help reduce the risk of subsequent injury events in this population.
Guidelines and Practical Tips for Training the Prenatal Client
Authors: Ziel Erica , Smith Katie M.
Published: July 2017

PRENATAL AEROBIC AND RESISTANCE TRAINING CAN HAVE TREMENDOUS BENEFITS FOR MOTHER AND CHILD, IMPROVING DELIVERY AND POSTPARTUM RECOVERY. DAILY MOVEMENTS TO ENCOURAGE DEEP CORE STRENGTHENING, EMPHASIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF POSTURE, AND AVOIDING EXERCISES THAT CAUSE DISCOMFORT MAY MINIMIZE COMMON AILMENTS OF PREGNANCY MEANWHILE IMPROVING MOBILITY OF DAILY FUNCTION. A VIDEO ABSTRACT OF THIS ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND IN VIDEO, SUPPLEMENTAL DIGITAL CONTENT 1, HTTP://LINKS.LWW.COM/SCJ/A218.
Foreword
Authors: Dawkins Peter
Published: July 2017

Foreword to Volume 6, Issue 1.
The Southern Slope of Monsalvat: How Spanish Wagnerism Became Catalan
Authors: Young Clinton D.
Published: July 2017

This article examines the development of Wagnerism in late-nineteenth-century Spain, focusing on how it became an integral part of Catalan nationalism. The reception of Wagner's music and ideas in Spain was determined by the country's uneven economic development and the weakness of its musical and political institutions—the same weaknesses that were responsible for the rise of Catalan nationalism. Lack of a symphonic culture in Spain meant that audiences were not prepared to comprehend Wagner's complexity, but that same complexity made Wagner's ideas acceptable to Spanish reformers who saw in the composer an exemplar of the European ideas needed to fix Spanish problems. Thus, when Wagner's operas were first staged in Spain, the Teatro Real de Madrid stressed Wagner's continuity with operas of the past; however, critics and audiences engaged with the works as difficult forms of modern music. The rejection of Wagner in the Spanish capital cleared the way for his ideas to be adopted in Catalonia. A similar dynamic occurred as Spanish composers tried to meld Wagner into their attempts to build a nationalist school of opera composition. The failure of Tomás Bréton's Los amantes de Teruel and Garín cleared the way for Felip Pedrell's more successful theoretical fusion of Wagnerism and nationalism. While Pedrell's opera Els Pirineus was a failure, his explanation of how Wagner's ideals and nationalism could be fused in the treatise Por nuestra música cemented the link between Catalan culture and Wagnerism.
Therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells for diabetes
Authors: Moreira Alvaro , Kahlenberg Samuel , Hornsby Peter
Published: July 2017

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are self-renewing multipotent cells that have the capacity to secrete multiple biologic factors that can restore and repair injured tissues. Preclinical and clinical evidence have substantiated the therapeutic benefit of MSCs in various medical conditions. Currently, MSCs are the most commonly used cell-based therapy in clinical trials because of their regenerative effects, ease of isolation and low immunogenicity. Experimental and clinical studies have provided promising results using MSCs to treat diabetes. This review will summarize the role of MSCs on tissue repair, provide emerging strategies to improve MSC function and describe how these processes translate to clinical treatments for diabetes.
Mujeres empresarias de Bogotá
Authors: Berdugo Elber , Gámez Guitiérrez Jorge
Published: July 2017

Se abordan los factores incidentes y la caracterización de cincuenta empresas creadas por mujeres en Bogotá. Se presentan los factores incidentes de motivación, la experiencia, los apoyos para crear empresas, algunas características de sus emprendimientos, características sociodemográficas de las emprendedoras así como la relación empresa - hogar y finalmente, algunos factores de éxito.
La educación superior a distancia tradicional y virtual: una perspectiva desde la economía de la educación
Authors: Parra Moreno Carlos , Liz Andrea del Pilar , Perilla Ricardo
Published: July 2017

El presente artículo es producto del interés investigativo del grupo GIETO del Instituto de Educación a Distancia de la Universidad del Tolima. En el documento se esboza  desde una perspectiva interdisciplinar como lo es la economía de la educación,  la importancia del entendimiento y presencia de metodologías de aprendizaje a distancia tradicional y virtual en la educación superior, las cuales en  las últimas tres décadas han tomado fuerza como resultado de la alta demanda de formación en este proceso globalizador. Este trabajo surge de la investigación "La educación a distancia tradicional y en línea como generador de capital humano en el programa de Administración Financiera de la Universidad del Tolima".  En el artículo se muestra un estado del arte y reflexiones desde una perspectiva interpretativa con el método de revisión documental, la importancia al desarrollo de capital humano en la región de la educación a distancia tradicional y en línea.
Representaciones Sociales frente a la Responsabilidad Social de la industria petrolera y su influencia en la calidad de vida
Authors: Sierra Arevalo Jennifer
Published: July 2017

Resumen

El artículo analiza las Representaciones Sociales que los habitantes de la vereda Rubiales construyen frente a la Responsabilidad Social de la industria petrolera y la influencia en su calidad de vida. La investigación inicia con un abordaje de los procesos de objetivación y anclaje que se dan durante la construcción de una Representación Social, posteriormente se considera  la  Responsabilidad Social  Empresarial  como  el  compromiso voluntario  que asumen las organizaciones de integrar las expectativas y preocupaciones de los diferentes grupos de interés, apuntando hacia un desarrollo sostenible generando confianza y credibilidad; se analiza también  que la Calidad de Vida es un concepto social que parte de las necesidades e intereses de una persona en comunidad, fundamentado en su propia realidad. Finalmente mediante el análisis de la información recolectada a través de la observación directa y la aplicación de entrevistas semi-estructuradas se logró conocer que la Responsabilidad Social Empresarial es para los habitantes de Rubiales, un canal de comunicación entre la comunidad y las empresas mediante el cual se canalizan ofertas laborales; es quien les ayuda a resolver sus problemas o necesidades, principalmente de salud, y quienes velan por el bienestar de la comunidad. Adicionalmente en cuanto a Calidad de Vida, refieren, que el poder acceder a un empleo con un salario superior al que se encuentra afuera les permite satisfacer sus necesidades básicas y acceder a bienes y servicios, lo que les significa un mejoramiento en su Calidad de Vida.
Incertidumbre y riesgo en los cobros desde el punto penal: un análisis aplicando la teoría de juegos
Authors: Cotte Poveda Alexander , Gutierrez López Julian
Published: July 2017

La incertidumbre y el riesgo juegan un papel preponderante en el momento de tomar la decisión de cobrar un tiro desde el punto penal. Las implicaciones de ganar un torneo de fútbol de alta competencia tienen efectos de señalización sobre los agentes que participan en los diferentes mercados. Este trabajo de investigación advierte que los cobros desde el punto penal no son una simple cuestión de azar y suerte, es una interacción que debe tener en cuenta entre otras muchas variables no solo la técnica, la preparación, las dotaciones de los participantes sino que debe ser una combinación de estrategias y probabilidades. Aplicando la Teoría de Juegos para los tres equipos más representativos de la liga de futbol de España, – Real Madrid, Barcelona y el Atlético de Madrid – y utilizando los datos de la Primera División de España, Copa del Rey, Mundial de Clubes y la Champions League, todas estas competiciones correspondientes a la Temporada 2015-16 y Temporada 2014-15, se determinan las distintas estrategias y probabilidades que el cobrador debe dilucidar para anotar el gol en un cobro desde el punto penal y con ello contrarrestar las diferentes probabilidades y estrategias de las que dispone el arquero para atajar el lanzamiento
Proceso de fortalecimiento para las empresas del sector turístico -Restaurantes- municipio de Restrepo (Meta).
Authors: Vargas Betancur Kelly Johana , Hernández Castillo Yesica Lorena , Quiñónez Mosquera Alejandro
Published: July 2017

Este artículo presenta parte de los resultados de la investigación mixta desarrollada con el fin de fortalecer estratégicamente los restaurantes en el municipio de Restrepo (Meta) por medio de la identificación de los factores que limitan la competitividad de dichas empresas. Para esto, se tomó como soporte teórico el modelo de perspectiva integradora (Quiñonez, 2013) y se usó como técnica de recolección de datos una serie de entrevistas estructuradas y semiestructuradas en las que se indagó a los empresarios acerca de la situación interna y externa de cada empresa, tomando como referencia los restaurantes del municipio de Restrepo. En el estudio se resolvieron interrogantes como los siguientes: ¿qué fortalezas, limitantes, oportunidades y amenazas se pueden identificar en los restaurantes del municipio de Restrepo vinculados al estudio? ¿Cuentan los restaurantes del municipio de Restrepo vinculados al estudio con una misión, una visión y objetivos estratégicos claros y bien definidos? ¿Qué estrategias se pueden implementar para dar solución a las problemáticas encontradas en las empresas participantes en el estudio? Los resultados obtenidos permitieron la estructuración de las plataformas estratégicas y la formulación de planes de acción para cada restaurante vinculado al estudio.
La efectividad de las reformas laborales sobre el nivel de desempleo. Un análisis del contexto de México y Colombia para el período 2002 - 2012
Authors: Pradilla Chaparro Angie Lorena
Published: July 2017

El desempleo es una de las variables más influyentes en el análisis de la política económica de los países, ya que incide en múltiples dimensiones que afectan la productividad, la estabilidad del entorno macroeconómico y la calidad de vida de la población. Ante ese panorama, el presente artículo recopila un estudio de las principales estrategias diseñadas por países como Colombia y México en el mejoramiento de las condiciones laborales, así como una comparación sobre el impacto de estos mecanismos en variables como el desempleo y el crecimiento económico. En ese orden de ideas, el objetivo de este trabajo consiste en describir las principales causas y los efectos de las reformas laborales aplicadas en México y Colombia durante el período de 2002 a 2012, todo lo anterior mediante la revisión de algunos estudios sobre el tema y de datos macroeconómicos como el desempleo y el PIB.
Benchmarking Relatedness Inference Methods with Genome-Wide Data from Thousands of Relatives
Authors: Ramstetter Monica D , Dyer Thomas D , Lehman Donna M , Curran Joanne E , Duggirala Ravindranath , Blangero John , Mezey Jason G , Williams Amy L
Published: July 2017

Relatedness inference is an essential component of many genetic analyses and popular in consumer genetic testing. Ramstetter et al. evaluate twelve.....

Inferring relatedness from genomic data is an essential component of genetic association studies, population genetics, forensics, and genealogy. While numerous methods exist for inferring relatedness, thorough evaluation of these approaches in real data has been lacking. Here, we report an assessment of 12 state-of-the-art pairwise relatedness inference methods using a data set with 2485 individuals contained in several large pedigrees that span up to six generations. We find that all methods have high accuracy (92–99%) when detecting first- and second-degree relationships, but their accuracy dwindles to <43% for seventh-degree relationships. However, most identical by descent (IBD) segment-based methods inferred seventh-degree relatives correct to within one relatedness degree for >76% of relative pairs. Overall, the most accurate methods are Estimation of Recent Shared Ancestry (ERSA) and approaches that compute total IBD sharing using the output from GERMLINE and Refined IBD to infer relatedness. Combining information from the most accurate methods provides little accuracy improvement, indicating that novel approaches, such as new methods that leverage relatedness signals from multiple samples, are needed to achieve a sizeable jump in performance.
Late Onset of Primary Pulmonary Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor: A Case Report
Authors: Başgöz Bilgin Bahadır , Aydin Adem , İnce Semra , Demirci İbrahim , Özcan Ayhan
Published: July 2017

Lungs are one of most metastatic areas for primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET), however primary pulmonary PNET is extremely rare. Here we present a case of a 58-year-old male patient with a tumor in the right lung that originated from the lung but not from chest wall. Patient was diagnosed with PNET following histological and immunohistochemical examination of CT-guided percutaneous tru-cut needle biopsy and no distant metastasis were detected in PET-CT scan. As advised recently in published literature, surgical resection following neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocol is preferred in the treatment of our patient as it has better success of complete resection leading to higher 5-year survival rates. Although primary pulmonary PNET is uncommon, it should be taken into account and complete surgical resection should be aimed as treatment to achieve higher survival rates.
Endodontic management of maxillary third molar with MB2 (Vertucci type IV) canal configuration diagnosed with Cone Beam Computed Tomography – a case report
Authors: Jain Pradeep , Patni Pallav , Yogesh Pant , Anup Vyas
Published: July 2017

The endodontic treatment of maxillary third molar often poses a challenge even to an experienced endodontist because of their most posterior location in the dental arch, aberrant occlusal anatomy, abnormal root canal configuration and eruption patterns. Owing to these anatomical limitations, their extraction remains the treatment of choice for many clinicians. As we know, retaining every functional component of the dental arch is of prime importance in contemporary dental practice. This clinical case report aims to discuss the endodontic treatment of maxillary third molar with MB2 root canal separated throughout the length and exit at two separate apical foramina (Vertucci type IV) diagnosed with Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT).
HOW TO DEAL WITH PENILE CARCINOMA INGUINAL METASTASIS INVADING FEMORAL VESSELS
Authors: Fodor Marius , Petrut Bogdan , Fodor Lucian
Published: July 2017

Penile cancer accounts for 1-10% of men neoplastic diseases and 30-60% of patients have inguinal metastases at the time of diagnosis. Inguinal metastases of penile cancer with femoral vessel involvement could lead to vascular fistula and hemorrhagic shock. We present 3 consecutive patients with inguinal metastases of penile cancer complicated by infection and hemorrhage from femoral vessels invaded by the tumor. Simultaneous extra-anatomical axillo-femoral bypass graft, wide excision of tumor and groin defect reconstruction was used to achieve “tumor-free” oncologic aim and to save the lower limb. We consider the extra-anatomic axillo-femoral bypass associated with wide inguinal tumor excision and defect covering a feasible surgical solution for improving the life quality and extend life expectancy in patients with lymph node metastasis of penile cancer complicated by necrosis, infection and femoral vessel involvement.