bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variability of seasonal floods in the Upper Danube River basin
Authors: Jeneiová Katarína , Kohnová Silvia , Hall Julia , Parajka Juraj
Published: October 2016

The objective of this study is to analyse the spatial variability of seasonal flood occurrences in the Upper Danube region for the period 1961-2010. The analysis focuses on the understanding of the factors that control the spatial variability of winter and summer floods in 88 basins with different physiographic conditions. The evaluation is based on circular statistics, which compare the changes in the mean date and in the seasonal flood concentration index within a year or predefined season.

The results indicate that summer half-year and winter half-year floods are dominant in the Alps and northern Danube tributaries, respectively. A comparison of the relative magnitude of flood events indicates that summer half-year floods are on average more than 50% larger than floods in winter. The evaluation of flood occurrence showed that the values of seasonal flood concentration index (median 0.75) in comparison to the annual floods (median 0.58) shows higher temporal concentration of floods. The flood seasonality of winter events is dominant in the Alps; however, along the northern fringe (i.e. the Isar, Iller and Inn River) the timing of winter half-year floods is diverse. The seasonal concentration of summer floods tends to increase with increasing mean elevation of the basins. The occurrence of the three largest summer floods is more stable, i.e. they tend to occur around the same time for the majority of analysed basins. The results show that fixing the summer and winter seasons to specific months does not always allow a clear distinction of the main flood generation processes. Therefore, criteria to define flood typologies that are more robust are needed for regions such as the Upper Danube, with large climate and topographical variability between the lowland and high elevations, particularly for the assessment of the effect of increasing air temperature on snowmelt runoff and associated floods.
Hydrogen water reduces NSE, IL-6, and TNF-α levels in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy
Authors: Yang Lin , Li Dunchen , Chen Shuying
Published: October 2016

This study retrospectively analyzed the efficacy of hydrogen water in the treatment of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and its effect on serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels.

Forty newborns with HIE who received treatment from April 2014 to April 2015 were divided into a conventional care group and a hydrogen water group according to the different treatment methods applied. Twenty healthy full-term newborns comprised the control group. In the hydrogen water group, 5-mL/kg hydrogen water was orally administered two days after birth daily for 10 days in addition to conventional treatment. After 10 days, efficacy indicators were examined in the HIE groups. The NSE, IL-6, and TNF-α levels were compared among all three groups.

The efficacy indicators were significantly lower in the hydrogen water group compared with the conventional group. Before treatment, the serum NSE, IL-6, and TNF-α levels in the HIE groups were higher than those in the control group. After treatment, these levels in the hydrogen water group were lower than those in the conventional group.

Hydrogen water lowers serum NSE, IL-6, and TNF-α levels in HIE newborns, thereby exerting a protective effect.
Influence of a thin metal layer on a beam propagation in a biconical optical fibre taper
Authors: Stasiewicz K.A. , Moś J.E.
Published: October 2016

The paper presents results of a simulation of the plasmon effect achieved between a thin precious metal layer and a biconical optical fibre taper, manufactured on a standard single mode fibre. Gold, silver and titanium were used as a metal which fulfilled a cladding function for a small diameter structure. For simulation Mode Solution software was used on which modal and frequency analyses of a wavelength were provided in the range of 800–1700 nm. A displacement of a plasmon pick in dependence of thickness of a deposited precious layer for the highest plasmon effects was observed.
Monetary and Fiscal Arrangements for the Eurozone: Some Unconventional Proposals
Authors: Masini Fabio
Published: October 2016

Contributions in this special issue argue make a number of points with regard to the urgent need to change the economic governance of the Eurozone, pointing at some tools to increase its spending capacity. The process of potential fragmentation ignited by the recent vote on Brexit make such changes even more urgent, signalling the need to provide concrete responses to citizens, in order to show that the euro area, and the EU at large, are able to satisfy some of their crucial needs. The papers which make up this special issue were presented in Florence, at a meeting held in the framework of a Jean Monnet + Project called MoreEU. The first section deals with the reform of the budget; the second with a further use of quantitative easing and the role of the ECB.
Reforming the financing of the EU budget: Outlook
Authors: D’Alfonso Alessandro
Published: October 2016

This paper provides a general overview of the EU’s own resources system, and of the debate on its possible reform within the current legal framework. Two alternative reforms are discussed, along with their possible advantages and drawbacks: 1) a simplified system based only on a resource related to gross national income; and 2) the introduction of new genuine own resources and the possible elimination of some current own resources. The second option, which has long been called for by the European Parliament, is explored in further detail, with an overview of the potential candidates for new own resources analysed by the European Commission prior to its 2011 reform proposal. The current outlook for a possible reform focuses on the ongoing work of the high-level group on own resources chaired by Professor Mario Monti, presenting the main obstacles to change and possible ways forward. This paper updates the author’s in-depth analysis How the EU budget is financed: The “own resources” system and the debate on its reform (European Parliamentary Research Service, Brussels).
Mid-term review of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 – A round-up of key issues at stake
Authors: Sapała Magdalena
Published: October 2016

By the end of 2016 the European Commission is expected to present its mid-term review of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-2020. The results of the review may open the way for a revision of the MFF Regulation. The scope of the review, as laid down in the legislation, as well as the difficult implementation of the MFF in its first years, give grounds to expect changes in the MFF Regulation. However, experience of past reviews and the requirement of a unanimous vote in the Council on the revision of the MFF raise concerns about the final result of the exercise.

This paper explains how the idea of the mid-term review of the MFF has evolved, why it has become so important, and what issues are at stake at the outset of the debate. It shows that in order to ensure a smoother implementation of the MFF in the future years some radical changes are necessary, including an increase of the ceilings and flexibility. Besides, the problems with the implementation of the current MFF give arguments for a thorough reform with a view of the post-2020 MFF.
EU governance in the run-up to 2025: A Joint Budgetary Procedure
Authors: Nicoli Francesco
Published: October 2016

The Euro Area (Eurozone, or EZ) is navigating uncharted waters; it has started, in slow motion, to slide towards a fiscal federation, while still lacking both the fiscal capacity and the democratic qualification to achieve this goal. Strengthening the EMU’s democratic profile is a fundamental requirement for the sustainability of the EMU as much as its completion with a fiscal and economic arm. Yet, according to the Five Presidents Report released in 2015, no substantial progress is expected to be achieved before 2025. Against this background, this paper is structured in two parts. The first part analyses the most recent trends in the Governance of the Eurozone. The second part discusses whether a transition from governance to government of the Monetary Union is both feasible and effective, advancing a new proposal -a Joint Budgetary Procedure-tailored to strengthen the European Semester with stronger incentive mechanisms, greater reach and stronger governance.
Surface Contamination in a Teaching Hospital: A 6 Year Perspective
Authors: Roland Christel , Ouellette-Frève Johann-François , Plante Caroline , Bussières Jean-François
Published: October 2016

Objective:

The aim of this paper is to review the surface contamination of three hazardous drugs within a teaching hospital and comment the different strategies put in place over the years in the context of these multicenter studies.

Background:

Many cross-sectional studies have been published about surface contamination with hazardous drugs in healthcare settings.

Methods:

This is a descriptive retrospective and longitudinal study. The study was conducted in a 500-bed mother-child university health center in Quebec, Canada.

Results:

A total of 72 samples (e. g. 36 in the pharmacy and 36 in outpatient care area) were obtained between 2010 and 2016 for a total of 216 analyses (three drugs/samples tested). The proportion of positive samples was 50 % (36/72) for cyclophosphamide, 32 % (23/72) for ifosfamide and 19 % (14/72) for methotrexate. The cyclophosphamide concentrations measured varied from undetectable to 400 pg/cm

Conclusion:

This study shows a longitudinal perspective of the surface contamination of hazardous drugs in a teaching mother-child hospital. Every hospital should review its annual scorecard of contamination with a longitudinal perspective to minimize drug contamination. It is possible to contain surface contamination with hazardous drugs with different strategies.
Future of environmental research in the age of epigenomics and exposomics
Authors: Holland Nina
Published: October 2016

Environmental research and public health in the 21st century face serious challenges such as increased air pollution and global warming, widespread use of potentially harmful chemicals including pesticides, plasticizers, and other endocrine disruptors, and radical changes in nutrition and lifestyle typical of modern societies. In particular, exposure to environmental and occupational toxicants may contribute to the occurrence of adverse birth outcomes, neurodevelopmental deficits, and increased risk of cancer and other multifactorial diseases such as diabetes and asthma. Rapidly evolving methodologies of exposure assessment and the conceptual framework of the Exposome, first introduced in 2005, are new frontiers of environmental research. Metabolomics and adductomics provide remarkable opportunities for a better understanding of exposure and prediction of potential adverse health outcomes. Metabolomics, the study of metabolism at whole-body level, involves assessment of the total repertoire of small molecules present in a biological sample, shedding light on interactions between gene expression, protein expression, and the environment. Advances in genomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics are generating multidimensional structures of biomarkers of effect and susceptibility, increasingly important for the understanding of molecular mechanisms and the emergence of personalized medicine. Epigenetic mechanisms, particularly DNA methylation and miRNA expression, attract increasing attention as potential links between the genetic and environmental determinants of health and disease. Unlike genetics, epigenetic mechanisms could be reversible and an understanding of their role may lead to better protection of susceptible populations and improved public health.
Risk Factors for Sleep-Related Infant Deaths in In-Home and Out-of-Home Settings
Authors: Kassa Hilina , Moon Rachel Y. , Colvin Jeffrey D.
Published: October 2016

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Multiple environmental risk factors are associated with sleep-related infant deaths. Little is known about differences in risk factors for deaths occurring in-home and out-of-home. We sought to compare risk factors for in-home and out-of-home infant deaths.

METHODS:

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of sleep-related infant deaths from 2004 to 2014 in the National Child Fatality Review and Prevention database. The main exposure was setting (in-home versus out-of-home) at time of death. Primary outcomes were known risk factors: sleep position, sleep location (eg, crib), objects in the environment, and bed sharing. Risk factors for in-home versus out-of-home deaths were compared using the χ2 test and multivariate logistic regressions.

RESULTS:

A total of 11 717 deaths were analyzed. Infants who died out-of-home were more likely to be in a stroller/car seat (adjusted odds ratio, 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 2.1–3.4; P < .001) and other locations (adjusted odds ratio, 1.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.5–2.3; P < .001), and placed prone (adjusted odds ratio, 1.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–1.3; P <0.01). Bed sharing was less common out-of-home (adjusted odds ratio, 0.7; 95% confidence interval, 0.6–0.7; P < .001). There were no differences in sleeping on a couch/ chair, or objects in the sleep environment.

CONCLUSIONS:

Sleep-related infant deaths in the out-of-home setting have higher odds of having certain risk factors, such as prone placement for sleep and location in a stroller/car seat, rather than in a crib/bassinet. Caregivers should be educated on the importance of placing infants to sleep supine in cribs/bassinets to protect against sleep-related deaths, both in and out of the home.
Media Use in School-Aged Children and Adolescents
Authors:   COUNCIL ON COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA
Published: October 2016

This policy statement focuses on children and adolescents 5 through 18 years of age. Research suggests both benefits and risks of media use for the health of children and teenagers. Benefits include exposure to new ideas and knowledge acquisition, increased opportunities for social contact and support, and new opportunities to access health-promotion messages and information. Risks include negative health effects on weight and sleep; exposure to inaccurate, inappropriate, or unsafe content and contacts; and compromised privacy and confidentiality. Parents face challenges in monitoring their children’s and their own media use and in serving as positive role models. In this new era, evidence regarding healthy media use does not support a one-size-fits-all approach. Parents and pediatricians can work together to develop a Family Media Use Plan (www.healthychildren.org/MediaUsePlan) that considers their children’s developmental stages to individualize an appropriate balance for media time and consistent rules about media use, to mentor their children, to set boundaries for accessing content and displaying personal information, and to implement open family communication about media.
WASHINGTON AND LATIN AMERICA: A CONSIDERABLE INDIFFERENCE
Authors: Vargas-Alzate Luis Fernando
Published: October 2016

This paper offers an analysis of historical, political, economic, and social events on which US-Latin American relations have been based. Centered on a constructivist approach, I review the main stages for explaining the quality and intensity of the interaction between the actors under consideration. In addition, I contend that US-Latin American relations have been cyclical in nature, and that these cycles have in turn complicated the task of assessing the dynamic of the relationship over the long term.I argue that the US achieved economic and political control over Latin America from the Nineteenth century. Although the specific circumstances that governed US-Latin American relations changed throughout the Twentieth century, this basic condition of domination remained. The situation changed, however, at the beginning of the Twenty-First century, during which Washington effectively lost Latin America. Nonetheless, Washington and Latin America are currently experiencing a rapprochement. This paper explains this sequence in detail and opens new discussions.
LAS MUJERES EN LAS ESFERAS POLÍTICAS ASIÁTICAS
Authors: Inguanzo Isabel
Published: October 2016

El porcentaje de mujeres en los parlamentos en los países de Asia-Pacífico es de los más bajos del planeta. Sin embargo, varios de estos países cuentan con una larga tradición de mujeres jefas de gobierno. Las principales causas que normalmente se atribuyen a la ausencia de mujeres en las esferas políticas son la existencia de sistemas electorales de tipo plurality y las resistencias a la adopción de cuotas. Esto último se ve afectado a su vez por determinadas actitudes políticas hacia la participación de la mujer en la vida pública y hacia determinadas concepciones de autoridad, presentes en los países de Asia. Estos elementos pueden afectar a la participación de las mujeres en política en general  y a la participación de las mujeres en los puestos de toma de decisión en particular. Este estudio comparado analiza a través de un análisis estadístico el impacto de factores institucionales - propios del sistema electoral y del régimen político- socioeconómicos y de la posición de la mujer en diferentes Estados de Asia Pacífico, sobre la participación de las mujeres en la vida pública estos países.
LEGITIMIDAD Y EFECTIVIDAD COMO FACTORES PARA EL ESTUDIO DEL DESGASTE POLÍTICO EN CHILE POSTAUTORITARIO. (1990-2014)
Authors: Mella Polanco Marcelo
Published: October 2016

El presente trabajo analiza la estructura y evolución del desgaste presidencial en Chile desde 1990 a 2014, incluyendo los gobiernos de Patricio Aylwin (1990-1993), Eduardo Frei RT (1994-1999), Ricardo Lagos (2000-2005), Michelle Bachelet (2006-2009) y Sebastián Piñera (2010-2014). Como se trata de cuatro administraciones de la Concertación y una de la Alianza, nuestra perspectiva enfatiza el estudio longitudinal del cambio en los apoyos políticos, buscando esclarecer la importancia, para este proceso, de las expectativas sociales y las percepciones sobre el desempeño gubernamental. Para el análisis propuesto, se utilizan dos mediciones anuales de la encuesta de opinión del Centro de Estudios Públicos (CEP) desde 1990 a 2014.Los objetivos centrales de este estudio son: i) Explicar la evolución de los apoyos políticos de los gobiernos en el período 1990 a 2014, identificando rasgos particulares de cada gobierno, así como también patrones generales, ii) Explicar tendencias y coyunturas de desgaste presidencial con el propósito de identificar ciclos comunes de erosión en los apoyos gubernamentales, y iii) Analizar la relación entre la variación del apoyo político y la percepción sobre legitimidad y efectividad del gobierno.
LA POLÍTICA, LOS PARTIDOS Y LAS ELECCIONES EN ARGENTINA 2015: ¿HACIA UN CAMBIO EN EL CAMPO POLÍTICO?
Authors: Retamozo Martín , Schuttenberg Mauricio
Published: October 2016

Este artículo propone ordenar el campo político argentino en torno a dos clivajes. El primero está representado por el clásico izquierda y derecha, el segundo por el peronismo y la posición “gorila” (antiperonista). Luego de una caracterización de los espacios ideológicos, usamos conceptos de la física (masa, fuerza y campo gravitacional) para analizar la dinámica de los partidos políticos y el futuro abierto luego de las últimas elecciones presidenciales de 2015.
Social Presence in a Three-Dimensional Virtual World Used for Distance Education / Društvena prisutnost u trodimenzionalnim virtualnim svjetovima koji se primjenjuju u nastavi na daljinu
Authors: Yilmaz Rabia , Aydemir Melike , Karaman Selcuj , Goktas Yuksel
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to examine differences in social presence among students who had participated in a traditional video conference environment and a 3D virtual world for distance education. Also, characteristics of the 3D environment most affected their social presence, and the users’ opinions concerning the 3D environment were revealed. For this purpose, an exploratory, mixed research method was used in this study. Quantitative and qualitative methods were usedto collect and analyze the data. The participants included 40 distance education university students, of which 20 in an experimental group (using a 3D virtual world) and 20 in a control group (using traditional methods). The results indicate that students who used the 3D virtual environment reported notably higher social presence. They perceived 3D virtual world as more social than video conference environment. Also, they found the 3D virtual world warm, interesting, and flexible, and that they were active and sociable within such environment. These results showed that 3D virtual worlds can be used effectively in educational environments for distance education students because they provide a rich social presence.Key words: distance education and telelearning; interactive learning environments; three-dimensional (3D); virtual reality. --- SažetakSvrha ovog istraživanja bila je istražiti razlike u društvenoj prisutnosti među studentima koji su se, za nastavu na daljinu, koristili tradicionalnom videokonferencijom i 3D virtualnim svijetom. Osim toga, utvrđena su obilježja 3D okruženja koja najviše utječu na društvenu prisutnost i mišljenja korisnika o 3D okruženju. U ovom istraživanju koristile su se različite istraživačke metode. Za prikupljanje i analizu podataka koristile su se kvantitativne i kvalitativne metode. Uzorak ispitanika činilo je 40 studenata koji studiraju na daljinu, od toga je 20 studenata bilo u eksperimentalnoj grupi (koristili su se 3D virtualnim svijetom), a 20 u kontrolnoj grupi (koristili su se tradicionalnim metodama). Rezultati pokazuju da su student koji su se koristili 3D virtualnim okruženjem imali znatno veću društvenu prisutnost. 3D virtualni svijet doživjeli su društvenijim nego videokonferenciju. Uz to su uvidjeli da je 3D virtualni svijet pristupačnije, zanimljivije i fleksibilnije okruženje unutar kojeg su bili aktivni i društveni. Ti rezultati pokazuju da 3D virtualni svjetovi mogu biti učinkovita obrazovna okruženja za studij na daljinu zato što omogućuju veću društvenu prisutnost.Ključne riječi: interaktivna obrazovna okruženja; nastava na daljinu i teleučenje; trodimenzionalno (3D); virtualna stvarnost
Intercultural Sensitivity of Teachers / Interkulturalna osjetljivost nastavnika
Authors: Drandić Dijana
Published: October 2016

The aim of the empirical research, conducted in the primary schools in the city of Pula and decribed in the current paper, was to examine (1) whether or not the teachers were interculturally sensitive and, if yes, to what extent, and (2) whether or not the teachers' intercultural sensitivity was affected by the factors, such as: their professional qualifications (class teaching – subject teaching), gender (male - female), school location (central or branch school) and years of service (up to 10 years, 11-20 years, and more than 20 years). The Intercultural Sensitivity Scale – ISS by Chen and Starosta (2000) was used as a measuring instrument here. This scale measures the intercultural sensitivity by focusing on 24 dependent items (variables/statements) linked to 4 independent variables and, thus, defining examinees. The results, obtained through the frequency analysis and the Chi-square test, as well as through the analysis of some statistically relevant figures (significance level 5%), suggest that – in terms of intercultural sensitivity – no statistically relevant difference subsists between the teachers. The participants proved to be interculturally sensitive; their professional qualifications, gender, school location and years of service did not affect their intercultural sensitivity level. Moreover, the research was also used to check the validity and reliability of the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale within the context of the Croatian educational system. Key words: interaction between culturally diverse individuals; intercultural competence; student; teacher.---Cilj empirijskog istraživanja u ovom radu bio je, na primjeru osnovnih škola grada Pule,ispitati: jesu li i u kojoj mjeri nastavnici interkulturalno osjetljivi te postoje li razlike u interkulturalnoj osjetljivosti između nastavnika s obzirom na stručnu spremu (razredna nastava – predmetna nastava), spol (muški – ženski), položaj škole (centralna škola – područna škola) i godine staža provedene u nastavi (do 10 godina, od 11 do 20 godina i više od 20 godina). U istraživanju smo se koristili instrumentom Intercultural Sensitivity Scale – ISS autora Chen i Starosta. Skala mjeri interkulturalnu osjetljivost putem 24 zavisne varijable/tvrdnje kojima su pridružene 4 nezavisne varijable koje definiraju ispitanike. Na temelju rezultata istraživanja dobivenih frekvencijskom analizom i hi-kvadrat testom, zatim pregledom statistički značajnih rezultata (na razini signifikantnosti 5 %) možemo zaključitida ne postoji statistički značajna razlika u interkulturalnoj osjetljivosti među nastavnicima. Ispitali smo i utvrdili da su nastavnici  interkulturalno osjetljivi, nije utvrđena razlika s obzirom na stručnu spremu, spol, status škole i godine staža provedene u nastavi. Naše istraživanje je, nadalje, poslužilo i za provjeru valjanosti i pouzdanosti Skale interkulturalne osjetljivosti u kontekstu hrvatskog odgojno-obrazovnog sustava. Ključne riječi: interakcija kulturno različitih; interkulturalna kompetencija; nastavnik; učenik.
Sport Talent of Pupils in the Split-Dalmatia County/Sportska darovitost učenika i učenica Splitsko-dalmatinske županije
Authors: Burger Ante , Rogulj Nenad , Papić Vladan , Čavala Marijana
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe study was conducted with the purpose of determining the level and the differences of sport talents in boys and girls attending primary schools in the Split-Dalmatia County. By the ''TALENT'' expert system we established potential talent in 93 randomly selected male and female primary school pupils in 14 different sports and sport disciplines based on the level of their motor and functional abilities evaluated by 7 measuring instruments. The results of the study show that particularly female pupils are, with regard to their motor and functional abilities, most talented for running athletic disciplines and kicking martial arts. We also revealed a high level of talent for sport games in male pupils, primarily tennis and football; while female pupils have talent for water sports in addition to some sport games and all kinds of martial arts. A similar distribution of sport talent in male and female pupils most likely leads to the similar structure of anthropological features in both sexes, and generally to a slightly higher level of potential sport talent in girls compared to the boys from this region.Key words: expert system; school; sport; talent.---SažetakIstraživanje je provedeno s ciljem utvrđivanja razine i razlika u sportskoj darovitosti između učenika i učenica osnovnih škola u Splitsko-dalmatinskoj županiji. Putem ekspertnog sustava «TALENT» utvrđena je potencijalna darovitost 93 slučajno odabrana učenika i učenica u 14 različitih sportova i sportskih disciplina, na temelju razine njihovih motoričkih i funkcionalnih sposobnosti koje su procijenjene sa 7 mjernih instrumenata. Rezultati istraživanja ukazuju na to da su učenici, a posebno učenice, prema svojim motoričkim i funkcionalnim sposobnostima najdarovitiji za lake atletske trkačke discipline i borilačke sportove u vidu udaranja. Visoka razina darovitosti kod učenika postoji i za sportske igre, osobito za tenis i nogomet, a kod učenica osim za pojedine sportske igre i za sportove u vodi, kao i za sve vrste borilačkih sportova. Slična raspodjela sportske darovitosti kod učenika i učenika vjerojatno ukazuje i na sličnu strukturu antropoloških značajki kod oba spola, ali i generalno na nešto veću razinu potencijalne sportske darovitosti djevojčica u odnosu na dječake u navedenom području.    Ključne riječi: darovitost; ekspertni sustav; sport; škola.
Using WebQuest and Wiki Activities in Chemistry Courses: Pre-Service Elementary Teachers’ Views and their Motivation to Learn Chemistry / Primjena WebQuest i Wiki sustava u nastavi kemije: stavovi budućih učitelja i njihova motivacija za učenje kemije
Authors: Tepe Tansel , Ilhan Nail , Inceoglu Mustafa Murat
Published: October 2016

AbstractThis study aims to determine pre-service elementary teachers’ views with regard to evaluating the effectiveness of WebQuest and Wiki activities prepared for general chemistry courses. It also aims to detect the effects of these activities on pre-service elementary teachers’ levels of motivation to learn chemistry. For this aim, we used a mixed method research design. Data were gathered using focus group interviews and the ‘Chemistry Motivation Questionnaire’. The sample of the study consisted of 111 pre-service elementary teachers from two different universities. The frequency of the pre-service teachers’ logging into WebQuest and Wiki activities of the Moodle Learning Management Systems were monitored. The qualitative result of the study shows that both systems made cognitive contributions to pre-service teachers and attracted their interest at the sensory level. As for the quantitative analysis, the results of our study indicate that pre-service teachers had positive views toward using WebQuest or Wiki activities in courses, whereas their motivation to learn chemistry did not increase. A positive, significant relationship but at a low level was observed between pre-service teachers’ motivation to learn chemistry and the frequency of logging into Wiki activities. Key words: Chemistry Course; Moodle; Motivation; WebQuest; Wiki.---SažetakOvim istraživanjem pokušat će se odrediti stavovi budućih učitelja vezani uz procjenu učinkovitosti primjene WebQuesta i Wikija pripremljenih za nastavu opće kemije. Također se nastoje otkriti učinci njihove primjene na razinu motivacije budućih učitelja za učenje kemije. S tom svrhom koristili smo se mješovitom metodologijom istraživanja. Podaci su dobiveni koristeći se intervjuima u fokus grupama i upitnikom 'Chemistry Motivation Questionnaire'. Uzorak ispitanika sastojao se od 11 budućih učitelja s dva sveučilišta. Promatrala se učestalost prijavljivanja na WebQust i Wiki sustave putem Moodle sustava za upravljanje učenjem/poučavanjem. Rezultati kvalitativne analize pokazali su da je primjena oba sustava imala kognitivni doprinos za buduće učitelje te je potaknula njihov interes na osjećajnoj razini. Što se kvantitativnih rezultata tiče, oni su u ovome istraživanju ukazali na to da budući učitelji imaju pozitivne stavove prema korištenju WebQuest ili Wiki sustava u nastavi, a da njihova motivacija za učenje kemije nije porasla. Pozitivan, značajan odnos, iako na niskoj razini, uočen je kod usporedbe motivacije budućih učitelja za učenje kemije i njihove učestalosti prijavljivanja u Wiki sustav. Ključne riječi: nastava kemije; Moodle; motivacija; WebQuest; Wiki.
Determinación de arsénico en agua potable del cantón del Grecia
Authors: Bolaños Alfaro John Diego
Published: October 2016

La presente investigación científica cuantifica los niveles de arsénico en el agua potable del cantón de Grecia, de la provincia de Alajuela, utilizando la técnica analítica de absorción atómica acoplada a un generador de hidruros, debido a la reciente  aparición de nacientes contaminadas con éste catión en el país y motivado por la ausencia de información actualizada en la zona de estudio. Se obtiene como principal resultado que ninguna de las 26 nacientes analizadas supera el límite máximo permitido por el decreto costarricense 32327-S,  de 0.01 mg/L.   Se ofrece además, información sobre las implicaciones para la salud que significa el consumo cotidiano de Arsénico y su relación con el desarrollo del arsenicismo crónico, donde se concluye, que aunque el cantón corresponde a una zona de riesgo por ubicarse en la faldas del volcán Poás, la ingesta de agua potable ofrecida por la Municipalidad y las ASADAS, no representan riesgo sobre ésta problemática de salud.
DEMOCRACIA E INCERTIDUMBRE EN AMÉRICA LATINA
Authors: González Ayala Eduardo
Published: October 2016

El presente ensayo lleva a cabo una reflexión en torno a la forma en que se ha desarrollado la democracia en América Latina a partir del decenio de 1980. Se presta atención a la transición entre sistemas de gobierno dictatoriales y procesos de elección de gobiernos democráticos, analizando las alternativas políticas que han emergido en el siglo XXI relacionadas con renovados movimientos sociales opuestos al neoliberalismo, así como aquellos procesos electorales con características particulares. Concluye haciendo énfasis en los principales obstáculos y dilemas relacionados con la democracia de la región, y realizando un acercamiento a la situación particular de la izquierda en América Latina
CREENCIAS SOBRE LA JUSTIFICACIÓN DEL SISTEMA EN COSTA RICA: CLASES SOCIALES, GÉNERO Y AGRESIÓN
Authors: García Castro Juan Diego
Published: October 2016

Se presenta una investigación sobre justificación del sistema y clases sociales en Costa Rica. Se trabajó con 150 personas (M=33,6; DT=10,4), hombres y mujeres en edad productiva de Upala un pueblo fronterizo con Nicaragua. Se exploró la relación de su satisfacción con la vida, su orientación política, la justificación del sistema y su tendencia hacia las acciones colectivas; con su clase social, tendencia a la agresión y diferentes variables socio-demográficas y de ideologías de justificación del sistema. Los resultados muestran una relación de la clase social con la justificación del sistema y procesos diferentes según el género. El trabajo es un aporte a las investigaciones psicosociales sobre la justificación del sistema capitalista con una de las poblaciones que más lo sufren.
Stress testing of linaclotide: Development of a validated stability-indicating RP-HPLC method
Authors: Murthy Pyla Sree Rama , Sahu Prafulla Kumar , Srinivas K.
Published: October 2016

Linaclotide, a first-in-class guanylate cyclase-C agonist, was recently approved by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a promising pharmacotherapy for the management of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In this communication, we present a novel stability-indicating reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method for the quantitative determination of linaclotide along with its degradation products. During the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) prescribed stress study, linaclotide was found susceptible to degrade under hydrolytic (acid and base) and oxidative (peroxide) conditions. The separation of the degradants from the analyte was achieved on a Zorbax Eclipse XDB C8 Column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) using 0.01 N potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate buffer and acetonitrile (80:20 v/v) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.00 mL min−1 at column temperature of 40 °C. The detection of the column effluents was realized on a photodiode array detector set at 220 nm. Under the above optimal condition, the method was validated with respect to specificity, linearity, range, precision, robustness, and sensitivity in compliance to the regulatory requirements.
HPLC analysis and blood-brain penetration of 20-hydroxyecdysone diacetonide
Authors: Kalász Huba , Hunyadi Attila , Tekes Kornélia , Dolesal Rafael , Karvaly Gellért
Published: October 2016

Blood-brain penetration of 20-hydroxyecdysone 2,3;20,22-diacetonide (20DA) has been scouted using chromatographic methods. In vivo experiments were performed by treating male Wistar rats intraperitoneally (i.p.) with a dose of 50 mg kg−1 20DA. Control experiment was done by using 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). Definite brain penetration of 20DA was found by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), while 20E does not show this type of distribution.
AVALIAÇÃO DO POTENCIAL DE UTILIZAÇÃO DE RESÍDUOS DE SEMENTES DE FRUTAS COMO AUXILIAR DE FLOCULAÇÃO NO TRATAMENTO DE ÁGUA
Authors: Reis Erivaldo Nascimento dos , Silva Antônio Santos , Jesus Edilson de
Published: October 2016

Este estudo objetivou avaliar o potencial de utilizaÁ„o de resÌduos de sementes de frutas como auxiliar de floculaÁ„o no tratamento de ·gua. Os biomateriais utilizados foram sementes de mangaba (Hancornia speciosa), maracuj· (Passiflora edulis), graviola (Annona muricata) e goiaba (Psidium guajava). As sementes foram lavadas e secas em mufla a 170∞C por 1 h e 30 min, sendo em seguida trituradas. As sementes foram usadas sem e com modificaÁ„o quÌmica com ·cido cÌtrico, hidrÛxido de amÙnio e perÛxido de hidrogÍnio. Os testes em batelada de remoÁ„o de cor, turbidez e ferro foram realizados usando Jar Test. No tratamento utilizou-se ·gua sintÈtica preparada com argila com granulometria 100 m mesh. Os testes em batelada foram desenvolvidos utilizando velocidade de mistura r·pida de 150 rpm com duraÁ„o de 1 min, velocidade de mistura lenta de 30 rpm com duraÁ„o de 15 mim, 1,5 mL de coagulante sulfato fÈrrico, 3 gotas de permanganato de pot·ssio e auxiliar de floculaÁ„o (pÛ de semente). Todos os testes foram realizados no pH fixado em 6,0. A determinaÁ„o de turbidez foi feita utilizando o mÈtodo nefelomÈtrico. A an·lise de ferro e cor foi realizada por espectrofotometria. A remoÁ„o mÈdia de Ìons para Fe foi de 53% com a utilizaÁ„o dos biomateriais mangaba e graviola. Para turbidez e cor aparente obteve-se um percentual de remoÁ„o em torno de 90% para todos os biomateriais.
ANÁLISE DO ESTADO DE CONSERVAÇÃO AMBIENTAL NA COMUNIDADE QUILOMBOLA DA RESINA, BREJO GRANDE/SE: A INFLUÊNCIA DO RIO SÃO FRANCISCO NA VIDA DOS RIBEIRINHOS
Authors: Fontes Andréia Reis , Santos Marília Barbosa dos , Da Silva Haiane Pessoa , Lucas Ariovaldo Antônio Tadeu , Carvalho Márcia Eliane Silva
Published: October 2016

A ·gua, componente fundamental para a sobrevivÍncia humana na terra e condiÁ„o basilar para os seus mais diversos usos, tem sua qualidade e quantidade comprometidas, especialmente nos ˙ltimos anos, devido ao acentuado processo de degradaÁ„o. Um dos mais importantes rios brasileiros, o Rio S„o Francisco, È fonte de vida e de renda para a populaÁ„o da comunidade quilombola da Resina, Brejo Grande/SE, visto que as atividades desenvolvidas s„o todas dependentes das ·guas do ìVelho Chicoî, utilizadas pelos membros para consumo, realizaÁ„o de atividades domÈsticas, dessedentaÁ„o dos animais, entre outras. Nessa perspectiva, a finalidade principal do respectivo trabalho È analisar o estado de conservaÁ„o ambiental da comunidade quilombola da Resina, Brejo Grande/SE; identificar as formas de coleta dos resÌduos sÛlidos e seus respectivos destinos; apresentar a situaÁ„o atual da vegetaÁ„o na localidade; e descrever os aspectos socioambientais na comunidade e as influÍncias econÙmicas do Rio S„o Francisco para os moradores da comunidade.  As bases metodolÛgicas da pesquisa envolvem aspectos qualitativos, visto que trabalho dispıe de mecanismos fundamentais para entender a etnografia do povo estudado. Logo, a compreens„o do contexto e das experiÍncias dos indivÌduos deve ser considerada. Por conseguinte, os resultados apontaram que a comunidade Quilombola da Resina convive com a falta de consolidaÁ„o do territÛrio, o que resulta na carÍncia de uma estrutura b·sica e investimentos para a populaÁ„o local, retratado na ausÍncia de polÌticas p˙blicas que subsidiem a populaÁ„o local. A vis„o sustent·vel da comunidade È bem perceptÌvel, bem como a real necessidade de uma intervenÁ„o mais assÌdua por parte dos governantes, visto que os residentes clamam por uma atenÁ„o maior, afinal, È uma ·rea turÌstica e de grande relev‚ncia para o municÌpio, que recebe um bom n˙mero de visitantes, sendo, de tal forma, interessante investir em polÌticas de educaÁ„o ambiental, alÈm de maiores investimentos em infraestrutura.
MEMBRANAS CONDUTIVAS COMO SOLUÇÃO PARA TRATAMENTO DE ÁGUA DE ABASTECIMENTO
Authors: Piaia Alessandra , Mierzwa José Carlos , Silva Camila
Published: October 2016

Neste trabalho, foi realizada a sÌntese e caracterizaÁ„o de membranas modificadas, a fim de que estas se tornem condutivas e capazes de oxidar matÈria org‚nica, alÈm de atuarem como barreira fÌsica de filtraÁ„o. Diferentes concentraÁıes de Polianilina (Pani) foram incorporadas mecanicamente a uma soluÁ„o base de PoliÈtersulfona (PES), 18% em massa em N-metil-2-pirrolidona, com a adiÁ„o de concentraÁıes de 2, 5, 10 e 15% em massa de PANI, com base na massa de PES. O mÈtodo de sÌntese utilizado foi o de invers„o de fases por imers„o,  utilizando-se ·gua desmineralizada como n„o solvente. A caracterizaÁ„o das membranas foi feita com base nos ensaios de permeabilidade, porosidade e condutividade elÈtrica. As membranas modificadas, com a adiÁ„o de PANI, apresentaram um fluxo de permeado mais elevado do que a membrana de controle (0% Pani), sendo que os valores m·ximos foram encontrados para a membrana de 15% est„o em torno de 1430 L.h-1.m-2. Em contrapartida,  a porosidade das membranas com adiÁ„o de 15% de PANI (65%), foi menor do que a obtida para a membrana de controle (90%). Para a avaliaÁ„o de condutividade elÈtrica foi utilizado um ohmÌmetro para mediÁ„o da resistÍncia elÈtrica de materiais pouco condutores. Com base nos resultados obtidos foi verificado que a condutividade elÈtrica das membranas aumentou com o aumento da concentraÁ„o de PANI.  O valor m·ximo de condutividade encontrado foi de 9x10-7 Siemens (S). Para uma melhor compreens„o do efeito da utilizaÁ„o de PANI nas membranas modificadas s„o necess·rias an·lises adicionais. Para a prÛxima etapa do projeto est„o previstas an·lises de caracterizaÁ„o morfolÛgica da membranas por meio de  microscopia eletrÙnica de varredura, medida do ‚ngulo de contato (hidrofilicidade), tamanho e distribuiÁ„o de poros, massa molecular de corte e ensaios especÌficos de oxidaÁ„o eletroquÌmica.
QUALIDADE DA ÁGUA DO RESERVATÓRIO JAIME UMBELINO – BARRAGEM DO POXIM/SERGIPE
Authors: Neves Marilha dos Anjos , Alves José do Patrocinio Hora , Fonseca Lucas Cruz , Macedo Lúcia Calumby B.
Published: October 2016

O reservatÛrio da Jaime Umbelino est· situado na cidade de S„o CristÛv„o/ Sergipe, Nordeste do Brasil. Foi projetado como uma alternativa a mais, para garantir o abastecimento normal de ·gua para a grande Aracaju pelos prÛximos 20 anos, atendendo a uma populaÁ„o estimada em 800.000 pessoas.  Atingiu a capacidade m·xima de inundaÁ„o em 2013, com uma lamina de ·gua de 15 m de profundidade. Esse estudo È a primeira avaliaÁ„o da qualidade da ·gua do reservatÛrio apÛs o seu enchimento. Amostras de ·gua de superfÌcie foram coletadas em quatro campanhas de amostragem, duas no perÌodo chuvoso e duas no perÌodo seco, compreendidas no intervalo temporal de agosto de 2013 a janeiro de 2015. Em cada amostra foram determinados os seguintes par‚metros: temperatura, pH, condutividade elÈtrica, turbidez, oxigÍnio dissolvido, alcalinidade total, dureza, demanda bioquÌmica de oxigÍnio, sÛlidos totais dissolvidos, cor, carbono org‚nico total, fosfato, fÛsforo total, nitrato, nitrito, nitrogÍnio amoniacal, sÛdio, pot·ssio, c·lcio, magnÈsio, cloreto, sulfato, bicarbonato e coliformes termotolerantes. Um perfil da coluna d¥·gua foi tomado em julho de 2015, usando uma sonda multiparamÈtrica. O reservatÛrio apresentou uma leve estratificaÁ„o com uma termoclina entre 5 e 10 m de profundidade. Foram aplicadas ao conjunto dos dados a An·lise de Agrupamento e a An·lise de Componentes Principais (ACP), para obter informaÁıes sobre as diferenÁas entre os perÌodos seco e chuvoso.  A an·lise de agrupamento mostrou similaridade entre o perÌodo chuvoso de 2014 e o perÌodo seco de 2015 e diferenÁas nas amostras coletadas no perÌodo chuvoso de 2013 e perÌodo seco de 2014, sendo que as amostras do perÌodo chuvoso de 2013 mostram-se diferentes de todas as outras.  A ACP separou as amostras por diferenÁas sazonais. A primeira componente (CP1) foi fortemente associada aos coliformes termotolerantes e separarou as amostras do perÌodo chuvoso, enquanto a segunda componente (CP2) mostrou uma correlaÁ„o positiva com a dureza e a DBO5, separando as amostras do perÌodo seco. As principais diferenÁas entre a qualidade da ·gua do reservatÛrio est„o relacionadas ao perÌodo de enchimento, pois as diferenÁas mais significativas nas vari·veis ocorreram nos perÌodos chuvoso de 2013 e seco de 2014, perÌodos subsequentes ao enchimento do reservatÛrio.
ESTIMATIVA DE INCERTEZAS NAS MEDIDAS DE TEMPERATURA EM ENSAIOS DE CALORIMETRIA DIFERENCIAL DE VARREDURA-DSC
Authors: Haack Micheli de Souza , Konrath Alessandra , Cattelan Ana Kelly , Santana Ruth Marlene Campomanes
Published: October 2016

Este trabalho apresenta o estudo para a estimativa de incerteza nas medidas de temperatura em ensaios de calorimetria diferencial de varredura (DSC), utilizando uma amostra de polipropileno (PP) para determinar as incertezas em relaÁ„o ao uso de diferentes massas, ‡ repetitividade e ‡ reprodutibilidade e ‡ diferentes taxas de aquecimento. No estudo ainda foram consideradas as fontes de incerteza referentes ao instrumento de DSC, Q20 TA Instruments, e as medidas de verificaÁ„o de calibraÁ„o do DSC com padrıes de Ìndio e merc˙rio com pureza de 99,99 %. Os ensaios foram realizados seguindo a norma ASTM D3418. Mantendo os experimentos apenas para uma taxa de aquecimento de 10 ∞C/min, usualmente a mais utilizada na rotina do laboratÛrio, a incerteza expandida È de 1,82 ∞C.
PESQUISA COMPARATIVA EM CIÊNCIAS SOCIAIS E HUMANAS: UM PANORAMA DE SEUS USOS
Authors: Reboucas Gabriela Maia , Leite Martha Franco , Marques Verônica Teixeira
Published: October 2016

Este artigo aborda a pesquisa comparativa, enfatizando sua importância para a pesquisa das ciências sociais e humanas, em especial no campo do direito, confuso quanto ao status metodológico ou normativo de um direito comparado. Aborda as dificuldades de adequá-la essencialmente como ‘método’ e apresenta diferentes abordagens que a nominam como ‘técnica’, ‘estudo’, ‘análise’. Adentra na esfera do ‘direito comparado’, também indicando as dificuldades de identificar sua natureza como ‘método’ ou ‘disciplina autônoma’. Se a utilização da pesquisa comparada gera debate quanto à sua capacidade de produzir resultados controlados e verificáveis no campo das ciências sociais e humanas, um panorama sobre seus usos, limites e potencialidades ajuda o pesquisador a fazer uma escolha adequada de seus instrumentos de pesquisa e análise, escolha especialmente problemática no campo do direito.
INTERSECCIONALIDADE DAS DESIGUALDADES DE GÊNERO E DE RAÇA NOS CARGOS DE ELITE
Authors: Pereira Edilene Machado , Fonseca Dagoberto Jose
Published: October 2016

Quando focamos o mercado de trabalho, carece-se de an·lises mais aprofundadas e detalhadas que levem ‡ compreens„o dos padrıes de exclus„o da mulher seja ela preta, parda e branca, e que fazem com que elas, na maioria das vezes, ocupe um lugar predeterminado, qual seja, aqueles postos considerados de pior qualidade, e remuneraÁ„o, como balconistas, empregadas domÈsticas, trabalhadoras no comÈrcio etc. Em 2010 o Instituto Ethos, lanÁou a ìPesquisa Social, Racial e de GÍnero das 500 Maiores Empresas do Brasil e Suas AÁıes Afirmativasî. Constatou-se que a presenÁa de mulheres no quadro executivo/elite empresarial vem crescendo ìem um espaÁo historicamente inexpugn·vel para elaî.  Em contrapartida, nesse universo executivo feminino, das 119 entrevistadas, apenas seis mulheres eram negras, de acordo com a classificaÁ„o do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e EstatÌstica (IBGE), isto È, eram ìtodas de cor pardaî. Tal fato n„o deixa d˙vidas quanto ‡ secular permanÍncia da discriminaÁ„o racial no mercado de trabalho, a ausÍncia de equidade e violaÁ„o dos direitos humanos.