bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SATISFAÇÃO DOS ALUNOS COM O CURSO DE CIÊNCIAS CONTÁBEIS: UMA ANÁLISE EM DIFERENTES INSTITUIÇÕES DE ENSINO SUPERIOR
Authors: Lizote Suzete Antonieta , Verdinelli Miguel Angel , Terres José Carlos , Sauer Camozzato Elen , Seemann Jacqueline Dos Santos
Published: May 2018

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar como o interesse do estudante (IE) e o envolvimento do professor (EP) influenciam na satisfação geral (SG) dos alunos de graduação em Ciências Contábeis em diferentes tipos de Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES). Para tanto se levantaram dados em duas universidades, uma pública e gratuita e outra comunitária e de ensino pago, e num centro universitário privado e com finalidade lucrativa. Os dados foram obtidos com um questionário respondido numa escala de concordância pelos alunos. Também se levantaram variáveis sociodemográficas para analisar a influência de outros fatores. No marco teórico se focalizou na qualidade dos serviços educacionais e na satisfação que eles produzem. Os procedimentos metodológicos incluíram comparações de médias e análise de regressão a partir dos escores fatoriais gerados para cada constructo. Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que o gênero não influencia na satisfação, mas os estudantes dos períodos iniciais mostram-se mais satisfeitos. Por sua vez, o envolvimento do professor e o interesse do estudante têm influencia sobre a satisfação geral, contudo de maneira diferente. No centro universitário EP e IE apresentam um poder explicativo maior da SG, embora a satisfação nesse tipo de IES seja estatisticamente menor que nas duas universidades. As implicâncias práticas destes achados podem contribuir para uma melhor adequação do currículo do curso e dos planos de ensino dos docentes.Palavras-chave: Satisfação. Estudantes. Ciências Contábeis.
PERCEPÇÃO DOS CONTADORES QUANTO ÀS DIFICULDADES DE COMPETÊNCIA TÉCNICA PARA A IMPLANTAÇÃO DO SPED NAS ENTIDADES DO TERCEIRO SETOR, EM CUMPRIMENTO À INSTRUÇÃO NORMATIVA Nº 1.510/2014
Authors: Da Silva Amanda De Lima Marques , Azevedo Elayne Patrícia Ribeiro de Santana , Vasconcelos Ana Lúcia Fontes de Souza , Tavares Márcia Ferreira Neves , Gomes Marcelo Jota
Published: May 2018

O objetivo deste estudo é analisar a percepção dos contadores quanto às dificuldades de competência técnica para a implantação do Sistema Público de Escrituração Digital (SPED) nas entidades do terceiro setor. A proposta é contribuir para um maior entendimento dos problemas de competência profissional subjacentes à implantação do SPED, bem como sensibilizar os profissionais da área para a relevância de fomentar ações de educação continuada. A população estudada é constituída pelos operadores dos escritórios de contabilidade, com atuação nas capitais brasileiras no ano de 2015, cadastrados juntamente à Federação Nacional das Empresas de Serviços Contábeis e das Empresas de Assessoramento, Perícias, Informações e Pesquisas (FENACON). Para tanto, utilizou-se de amostragem não probabilística, caracterizada por conveniência, e para obtenção dessa amostra, foi enviada uma mensagem de correio eletrônico aos operadores de contabilidade de 140 escritórios pertencentes às diversas capitais brasileiras, com o link do questionário elaborado via Google Docs e disponível para aceitação das respostas no período de outubro e novembro de 2015. Os resultados detectam deficiências significativas quanto à formação técnica que, muitas vezes, não são compatíveis com os conhecimentos exigidos para implantação eficaz do SPED no Terceiro Setor e da falta de uma maior atuação do controle interno da organização.Palavras-chave: SPED. Competência técnica. Terceiro Setor.
FORMAÇÃO DO PREÇO DE VENDA NO MERCADO DE DERMOPIGMENTAÇÃO: VARIÁVEIS PERCEBIDAS PELOS PROFISSIONAIS
Authors: Dumaszak Melchior Antônio , Miranda Gilberto José , Leal Edvalda Araujo
Published: May 2018

O presente trabalho apresenta uma pesquisa realizada com 60 tatuadores sediados na cidade de Uberlândia/Minas Gerais, abordando os fatores associados à formação do preço de venda dos serviços de dermopigmentação. O objetivo do trabalho foi identificar os critérios utilizados pelos participantes da pesquisa na formação de preços, o coeficiente de variação de preços e quais variáveis guardam relações significativas com o processo de formação de preços. O delineamento metodológico foi descritivo, de caráter quantitativo e conduzido por levantamento (survey). Por meio da estatística descritiva e testes de correlação, verificou-se que a variável mais fortemente associada à determinação de preços é a mão de obra, seguida da imagem do profissional. Também foi verificada grande dispersão entre os preços praticados no mercado pesquisado, o que pode ser explicado, em parte, pelo fato de que o ramo é relativamente novo e também porque a maioria dos profissionais tem menos de cinco anos de atuação. Esses resultados sugerem que as maturidades do negócio, bem como os investimentos na profissionalização e na valorização da imagem dos profissionais, poderão proporcionar aumentos na rentabilidade do negócio.Palavras-chave: Tatuagem. Precificação. Custos.
TRANSPARÊNCIA DA GESTÃO PÚBLICA MUNICIPAL: FATORES EXPLICATIVOS DO NÍVEL DE TRANSPARÊNCIA DOS MUNICÍPIOS DE MÉDIO E GRANDE PORTE DO RIO GRANDE DO SUL
Authors: Brocco Camila , Grando Tadeu , Martins Vanessa De Quadros , Brunozi Junior Antônio Carlos , Corrêa Suelen
Published: May 2018

A partir da governança pública e da disponibilização de informações por parte dos gestores públicos, este estudo teve por objetivo verificar quais fatores podem explicar o nível de transparência dos municípios.  A amostra foi constituída pelos municípios do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul com população acima de 50 mil habitantes, totalizando 43 cidades. Foi construído um índice composto por 36 itens, baseado na Lei de Responsabilidade Fiscal e na Lei de Acesso à Informação. Metodologicamente, apurou-se o nível de transparência dos municípios através de uma análise descritiva, sendo a média de 71%. Posteriormente, para identificar quais fatores explicam o nível de transparência, configurou-se uma regressão linear múltipla, confrontando as variáveis explicativas do nível de transparência abordadas pela literatura. Os resultados do modelo estatístico indicam que o Índice Firjan de Desenvolvimento Municipal é o único fator que apresentou significância estatística a ponto de explicar o nível de transparência dos municípios, pelo pressuposto de que cidadãos com melhores condições de saúde, educação e boa empregabilidade, têm melhores condições de exercer o controle social sobre a gestão municipal.Palavras-chave: Governança pública. Nível de transparência. Fatores explicativos. Controle social.
APRENDIZAGEM COOPERATIVA COMO ESTRATÉGIA DE ENSINO PARA A CONTABILIDADE: HABILIDADES INTELECTUAIS DA TAXONOMIA DO DOMÍNIO COGNITIVO
Authors: Pereira Ivone Vieira , Silva Cesar Augusto Tiburcio
Published: May 2018

A formação profissional tem sido influenciada pelas exigências do mercado de trabalho, o qual tem requerido habilidades intelectuais dos profissionais para serem absorvidos no mercado de trabalho. Dentre essas habilidades, destaca-se a comunicação e a interação social. Nesse sentido, a presente pesquisa busca-se verificar as contribuições que a aprendizagem cooperativa pode proporcionar para o desempenho acadêmico e para a habilidade de comunicação dos acadêmicos de Ciências Contábeis. Para alcançar o proposto, escolheram-se duas habilidades intelectuais da taxonomia de Bloom: aplicação e análise, sendo que na aplicação, verificou-se o desempenho acadêmico através da aprendizagem cooperativa Jigsaw e na análise investigou a comunicação escrita através da técnica Cloze. O experimento foi realizado com os acadêmicos do sétimo período de Ciências Contábeis de uma universidade pública. A amostra foi constituída por 34 acadêmicos matriculados na disciplina de Contabilidade Fiscal. Os dados coletados foram analisados utilizando a análise de variância para a categoria aplicação e análise e o teste de Tukey. Os resultados revelaram que a aprendizagem cooperativa contribuiu para a melhoria da habilidade de comunicação escrita, no entanto, não apresentou diferença significativa na categoria aplicação (desempenho acadêmico). Palavras-chave: Aprendizagem cooperativa. Aplicação. Análise.
SISTEMA DE PRODUÇÃO HIDROPÔNICO: PROPOSTA DE FLUXO CONTÁBIL DE ACORDO COM O CPC 29
Authors: Costa Wemerson Pinheiro da , Oliveira Deyvison De Lima , Costa Robinson Francino da , Silvestre Ronie Peterson
Published: May 2018

De acordo com o CPC 29, todo ativo biológico passa por transformações biológicas que compreendem o seu processo de crescimento, degeneração, produção e procriação, causando-lhe mudanças qualitativas e quantitativas. Estudos na área de Contabilidade do agronegócio dão ênfase à forma de mensuração e contabilização da valoração dos ativos biológicos, o que faz com que o estudo da aplicabilidade dos CPCs ao setor de horticultura hidropônica, aqui proposto, no tocante à mensuração do ativo biológico, detenha potencial de contribuições a área de conhecimento contábil. Esta pesquisa tem o objetivo de propor um modelo de fluxo contábil aplicável ao sistema de produção hidropônico, levando em consideração as suas peculiaridades. Para isso, o estudo de caso foi escolhido como procedimento metodológico. Foram aplicadas três fontes de evidência – entrevistas, observação direta e análise documental em um empreendimento na cidade de Vilhena, em Rondônia, cuja única atividade é a horticultura hidropônica. A partir dos dados obtidos, é apresentada uma proposta de fluxo contábil para a produção hidropônica, o que possibilita o uso de informações relevantes para o processo decisório, reduzindo distorções na mensuração dos ativos da entidade. As contribuições da pesquisa abrangem as perspectivas acadêmica e gerencial. Na primeira, a contribuição centra-se em uma proposta de mensuração do ativo biológico e de um fluxo contábil da formação de estoques na horticultura hidropônica, à luz da norma atual (CPC 29), considerando os escassos estudos feitos nessa área – até o presente momento. No campo gerencial, a proposta de mensuração e de fluxo contábil visa contribuir com o fornecimento de informações relacionadas à viabilidade de manutenção dos estoques no período de crescimento e com informações sobre a viabilidade do negócio como uma atividade produtiva.Palavras-chave: Ativos biológicos. Horticultura hidropônica. CPC 29. Fluxo contábil.
CRIAÇÃO DO CONSELHO DE GESTÃO FISCAL: APRENDENDO COM A EXPERIÊNCIA INTERNACIONAL
Authors: Mioranza Juliana , Lima Diana Vaz de
Published: May 2018

O presente estudo teve como objetivo conhecer a experiência internacional sobre a criação de Conselhos de Gestão Fiscal (CGF) para subsidiar as discussões sobre o tema no Brasil. Para tratar a questão da pesquisa, inicialmente foi analisada a experiência brasileira por meio de Projetos de Lei em tramitação na Câmara dos Deputados e no Senado Federal, no período de 2000 a 2017.  Em seguida, foram observados os preceitos legais que garantem a independência de um CGF da perspectiva do Fundo Monetário Internacional (FMI), e analisadas as experiências internacionais com relação à criação de CGF por parte dos Governos dos Países, destacando o início das atividades, os modelos institucionais observados e como esses conselhos foram estruturados. Os achados do estudo mostram que o primeiro CGF foi criado pelos Países Baixos no ano de 1945, seguido do Japão (1950), Dinamarca (1962) e Alemanha (1963), existindo atualmente 29 CGF em todo o mundo. Quanto aos modelos institucionais, há preferência pelos autônomos e associados ao Poder Legislativo (20 dos 29 países analisados). Sobre a composição, a quantidade de membros não varia muito, havendo no mínimo dois e no máximo 13 membros em cada órgão, com experiências profissionais nas áreas de Política Fiscal, Economia, Auditoria, Mercados Financeiros e Finanças Públicas.Palavras-chave: Brasil. Conselho de Gestão Fiscal. Experiência Internacional. Contabilidade Pública.
Journey of 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-5-methyl-1-β-D-arabinofuranosyluracil (FMAU): from Antiviral Drug to PET Imaging Agent
Authors: Alauddin Mian M.
Published: May 2018

Background:

Developed as an antiviral drug in the 1960s and 1970s, the
thymidine analogue 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-5-methyl-1-β-D-arabinofuranosyluracil (FMAU)
was translated to clinical application for treatment of herpes simplex virus infection. In
phase I clinical trial of FMAU; however, patients experienced neurotoxicity at the pharmacological
dose, and FMAU was withdrawn from the trial. More recently, FMAU has
been developed as a tracer for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in early detection
of cancer through its binding to human thymidine kinase, which is upregulated in
cancer cells. FMAU radiolabeled with 11C or 18F has been examined for PET imaging of
tumor cell proliferation and DNA synthesis. Although many reports have been partially
published on FMAU, systematic reviews outlining the historic development and imaging
probe are lacking. This review is focused on the identification of kinases, the chemistry of
FAMU and its application in cancer diagnosis and therapy assessment.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to review the historic development of FMAU, from
its synthetic development and antiviral activity studies to its radiolabeling and evaluate it
as a PET imaging probe for the early detection of cancer and assessment of treatment response,
including published reports on the clinical utility of 18F-FMAU.

Conclusion:

While FMAU was not successful as an antiviral agent, 18F-FMAU is a suitable
radiotracer for early detection of cancer and assessment of response to therapy by
PET. The process of clinical grade 18F-FMAU production requires further improvement.
18F-FMAU has high potential for clinical application, but further extensive studies are
needed to establish this tracer in the diagnosis of various cancers and assessment of their
response to therapy.
Heavy Metal Contamination of Milk and Milk Products Consumed in Tabriz
Authors: Beikzadeh Samira , Ebrahimi Behzad , Mohammadi Reza , Beikzadeh Mehdi , Asghari-Jafarabadi Mohammad , Foroumandi Elaheh
Published: May 2018

Background:

In this study, lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), Iron (Fe) and arsenic
(As) contents in milk and different dairy product samples from in Iran (Tabriz) were measured.

Methods:

Samples of 10 brands of pasteurized milk, yoghurt, traditional and industrial kashk were selected
and quantitative analysis for heavy metals were performed by a Varian AA240fs atomic absorption
spectrometer with a Graphite Furnace (GTA 120).

Results:

The obtained ranges of mean heavy metals are given in the following: in milk 6.066-10.83,
2.343-6.070, 141.73-241.23, 2764.3-3151.3, 3.246-7.536ppb, in yoghurt 5.543-19.341, 3.143-8.830,
276.17-423.53, 2412.4-4115.7, 6.650-10.84, in industrial kashk 2.163-19.621, 1.541-13.45, 115.87-
565.40, 2588.4-5014.3, 4.346-20.351ppb, and in traditional kashk 7.972-32.723, 5.233-9.966, 416.42-
923.62, 4491.4-6402.3, 7.661-28.413 ppb, respectively.

Conclusion:

All the samples were below the internationally recognized permissible limits and did not
pose any health risk to the consumption of milk and dairy products in Tabriz.
Voltammetric Detection of Tetrodotoxin Real-Time In Vivo of Mouse Organs using DNA-Immobilized Carbon Nanotube Sensors
Authors: Hong Huck Jun , Ly Suw Young
Published: May 2018

Background:

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a biosynthesized neurotoxin that exhibits powerful anticancer
and analgesic abilities by inhibiting voltage-gated sodium channels that are crucial for cancer
metastasis and pain delivery. However, for the toxin’s future medical applications to come true, accurate,
inexpensive, and real-time in vivo detection of TTX remains as a fundamental step.

Methods:

In this study, highly purified TTX extracted from organs of Takifugu rubripes was injected
and detected in vivo of mouse organs (liver, heart, and intestines) using Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and
Square Wave Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (SWASV) for the first time. In vivo detection of TTX was
performed with auxiliary, reference, and working herring sperm DNA-immobilized carbon nanotube
sensor systems.

Results:

DNA-immobilization and optimization of amplitude (V), stripping time (sec), increment (mV),
and frequency (Hz) parameters for utilized sensors amplified detected peak currents, while highly sensitive
in vivo detection limits, 3.43 µg L-1 for CV and 1.21 µg L-1 for SWASV, were attained. Developed
sensors herein were confirmed to be more sensitive and selective than conventional graphite rodelectrodes
modified likewise. A linear relationship was observed between injected TTX concentration
and anodic spike peak height. Microscopic examination displayed coagulation and abnormalities in
mouse organs, confirming the powerful neurotoxicity of extracted TTX.

Conclusion:

These results established the diagnostic measures for TTX detection regarding in vivo
application of neurotoxin-deviated anticancer agents and analgesics, as well as TTX from food poisoning
and environmental contamination.
Recent Progress in the Analysis of Captopril Using Electrochemical Methods: A Review
Authors: Mahesar Sarfaraz Ahmed , Lakho Saeed Ahmed , Hussain Sherazi Syed Tufail , Kazi Hamid Ali , Ahmed Abro Kamran , Soomro Razium Ali , Bunaciu Andrei A.
Published: May 2018

Background:

Captopril is the synthetic dipeptide used as an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor. Captopril is used to treat hypertension as well as for the treatment of moderate heart failure. Analytical instrumentation and methodology plays an important role in pharmaceutical analysis.

Methods:

This review presents some important applications of electrochemical modes used for the analysis of captopril. So far captopril has been analyzed by using different bare and modified working electrodes with a variety of modifiers from organic and inorganic materials to various types of nano particles/materials.

Results:

This paper presents some of the methods which have been published in the last few years i.e. from 2003 to 2016. This review highlights the role of the analytical instrumentation, particularly electrochemical methods in assessing captopril using various working electrodes.

Conclusion:

A large number of studies on voltammetry noted by means of various bare and modified electrodes. Among all of the published voltammetric methods, DPV, SWV, CV and miscellaneous modes were trendy techniques used to analyze captopril in pharmaceutical formulations as well as biological samples. Electrodes modified with nanomaterials are promising sensing tools as this showed high sensitivity, good accuracy with precision as well as selectivity. In comparison to chromatographic methods, the main advantages of electrochemical methods are its cheaper instrumentation, lower detection limit and minimal or no sample preparation.
Self-medication Among Myofascial Pain Patients: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Pastore Gabriel Pires , Goulart Douglas Rangel , Pastore Patrícia Radaic , Prati Alexandre Javaroni , de Moraes Márcio
Published: May 2018

Background:

Self-medication has been reported as an option which people choose to relieve the suffering of conditions that cause pain, however, this could delay the correct diagnosis and therapy.

Objective:

The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of self-medication among patients with Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD), and to analyze correlations with the severity of the disease.

Methods:

A prospective study was conducted with patients who had been diagnosed with TMD. The patients were submitted to anamnesis and a physical examination. This research also used the Fonseca`s Anamnestic Index (FAI) and a questionnaire that was developed specifically for this study, containing questions related to the first health professional contacted and self-medication. The data were analyzed using comparative and correlative analysis (Version 18.0 of SPSS software), with the level of significance set atp<0.05.

Results:

Thirty-four patients were included, with a prevalence of females (91.2%) and a mean age of 39.76 years. Half of the patients claimed to have chosen their own medications at time, especially analgesics. Sodium dipyrone was used by 12 of the participants. Dentists were the most commonly contacted health professionals (55.5%). No correlation was found between self-medication and the severity of TMD according to the FAI. Furthermore, the time period between the onset of symptoms and the first consultation was not affected by self-medication.

Conclusion:

Self-medication seems to be highly prevalent among patients with TMD, although this practice does not seem to alter the severity of the disease.
A Perioral Soft Tissue evaluation after Orthognathic Surgery Using Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography Scan
Authors: Tiwari Rahul , Chakravarthi P. Srinivas , Kattimani Vivekanand S. , Lingamaneni Krishna Prasad
Published: May 2018

Background:

Facial appearance is an important factor, affects social and psychological well-being. The ideal positioning of jaws and soft tissues is crucial during orthognathic surgery for a better outcome, but the response of facial soft tissues does not always reflect the exact movements of the underlying jaws in 1:1 ratio. So, soft tissue changes following orthognathic surgery require utmost attention during surgical correction to make successful treatment.

Aims and Objectives:

Evaluation of perioral soft tissue changes after orthognathic surgical procedures. The objectives of the study were to assess and compare pre and post-operative perioral soft tissue changes of lip width, nasolabial and mentolabial angle using Three Dimensional Computed Tomography scan (3DCT).

Patient and Methods:

The study involved ten patients for evaluation requiring orthognathic surgical procedures (maxillary or mandibular anteroposterior excess or deficiency, transverse deformities, vertical maxillary excess and facial asymmetry) presented to the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery during 2014-2016. Pre and post-operative 3DCT scan were taken after 12 months using iCT 256 slice whole body CT scanner and evaluated for changes using Dicom PMS D view.

Results:

Significant changes were observed in nasolabial angle after maxillary advancement (1.81°) and maxillary setback procedure (2.73°). The mentolabial angle was significantly increased with mandibular setback procedures (3.27°). Mandibular advancement procedures showed both increase (3.6°) and decrease (7.6°) in mentolabial angle.

Conclusion:

3DCT showed a significant difference in perioral soft tissue changes in nasolabial and mentolabial angle but no significant change was observed in lip width. 3DCT is a reliable tool for 3D assessment. The conventional thought of changes in Nasolabial angle after surgery is changing due to the underlying factors which should be considered for prediction.
Speed Limits and Pavement Friction: A Theoretical and Experimental Study
Authors: Pratico Filippo G.
Published: May 2018

Background:

As is well known, in road construction, quality acceptance procedures and quality assurance/control procedures during operations (for maintenance and rehabilitation purposes) focus on material quality from a mechanistic and safety perspective. This latter usually entails the consideration of friction and surface texture indicators. When friction requirements (e.g., side friction coefficients measured through the SCRIM machine) are not satisfied, road agencies have two main options: closing the traffic or having lower speed limits. The first option is often unrealistic and challenging. It turns out that a new, often temporary, speed limit is required and appropriate methodologies are required to carry out this critical task.

Aims and Objectives:

Consequently, the objective of the study presented in this paper is to set up a methodology aiming at engineering-based assessments of speed limits based on actual friction values. Original and consistent algorithms are set up to solve theoretical and practical issues.

Result and Conclusion:

The main contributions of this study include: (1) setting up a methodology for friction-based assessment of speed limits through innovative speed-friction relationships and criteria; (2) utilising the methodology for a case study; (3) providing recommendations for the application.

Results prove that the algorithms set up are reasonable and well-grounded in logic. They can benefit both researchers and practitioners.
Comparative Analysis of Environmental Graphic Design for Wayfinding on the Exit Patterns of Mass Transit Stations
Authors: Puttipakorn Pakachart , Upala Prapatpong
Published: May 2018

Introduction:

The quality of transit services has long been recognized as a significant factor affecting passenger behavior and station quality. The objective of this paper was to compare the environmental graphic designs for passengers’ decision to choose walking ways in subway stations of Bangkok Metropolis, Thailand.

Methods:

It uses the multi-stage sampling approach at various forms of station entries-exits and traffic statistics of service usage by passengers. The forms of station entries-exits can be divided into four types: 1) Silom Station (2-way exits), 2) Sukhumvit Station (3-way exits), 3) Huai Khwang Station (4-way exits), and 4) Phahon Yothin Station (5-way exits). Questionnaires were used to collect data from 445 passengers, using Likert Scale and t-test/ANOVA. The comparative analysis of directional signs was conducted with three factors as follows; 1) signs with 1-point location, 2) signs with 2-point locations, and 3) signs with 3-point locations.

Results:

The results found the signs with 2-point locations could provide additional information about the places and were suitable for the general environment of all stations. However, when adding further information about the places on the signs with 3-point locations, some limitations were found regarding the passengers’ need for location information with a complex physical environment of the station. Also, when considering the passengers’ attributes and behaviors, it was found that they also affected the environmental graphic design significantly.

Conclusion:

The research findings can be used as information for the environmental graphic designers to develop wayfinding system to improve for passengers’ travelling in mass transit stations.
Identification of Better Gene Expression Data for Mosquito Species Classification Using Radial Basis Function Network Methodology
Authors: Eswari J. Satya , Venkateswarlu Ch.
Published: May 2018

Background:

Investigation in bioinformatics has developed promptly in latest years owing to improvements in sequence excavating techniques. Gene sequences in DNA are supplemented with great extent of information, but the intricacy and complexity of this information causes difficulty in analyzing it by using standard classical methods of classification. In this work, a Radial Basis Function Network (RBFN) methodology with self-network arrangement is presented for identification of mosquito species based on the genetic design content of ITS2 ribosomal DNA sequences.

Methods:

A number of data sequences in varying sizes of different vectors corresponding to Anopheline, Aedes and Culex genera are used to develop genera specific as well as comprehensive RBFN species identifiers. The recall and generalization ability of the proposed species identifiers are analyzed and further validated through bootstrap validation method. The genera specific RBFN identifiers are found to provide accurate identification of mosquito species of individual genera. However, the comprehensive RBFN model is found to exhibit better species identification ability and can be advantageously used for species identification of more mosquito genera.

Results & Conclusion:

The results demonstrate the usefulness of the RBFN methodology for accurate identification of mosquito species depending on the nucleotide data of ITS2 ribosomal DNA sequences.
Trade-offs between Manure Management with and without Biogas Production
Authors: Grösch Norbert , Delivand Mitra K. , Barz Mirko , Bittrich Petra
Published: May 2018

Introduction:

In rural developing countries with a traditional manure management, animal manure is a value-added agricultural commodity being utilized as a source of fuel and plant nutrients. The sustainable environmental management of this resource has to consider the whole upstream and downstream activities of current management systems.

Methods & Materials:

In line with this requirement, this study has integrated the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) method on manure managements into the life-cycle assessment of two different manure management systems: the traditional system without biogas production and the alternative system with biogas production. Special attention is given to compare the GHG emissions as well as Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), and Potassium (K) Fertilizing Nutrients (NPK) from the two systems.

Results:

The great advantage of manure conversion to biogas is mainly due to the avoided wood (18 kg/animal.yr), crop-residues (12 kg/ animal.yr) and dung (8 kg/ animal.yr) used as cooking fuels in the region. If methane leakage is over 38% then this will offset the GHG emission reduction of manure-to-biogas system.
Curriculum Design and Development
Authors: Mohanasundaram K.
Published: May 2018

A curriculum development team is recommended in order to bring both subject matter and educational methods expertise to the project. Revisions and rewrites, based on feedback from these groups, must be completed before editing begins. Professional editing will assure proper language usage, readability, appropriate flow, and consistency. Professional design and layout of the curriculum, often with the editor and designer working together will assure both accuracy and a professional look. Once designed, the product is printed and/or posted online. When posting online, it is important to include accessibility features during the design phase. Once the curriculum is made generally available it should be evaluated from time to time to assure that it is of value to the users and remains current.
E-Learning approach in Teacher Education
Authors: Sivalingam D. , Balachandar R. , Ajith P.
Published: May 2018

There has been an increasing interest in e-learning in teacher training at universities during the last ten years. With the developing technology, educational methods have differed as well as many other processes. Firstly, a definition on e-learning as a new approach should be given. E-learning could shortly be defined as a web-based educational system on platform with Internet, Intranet or computer access. In this model, the lessons planned were simulations and software’s for students on polymers and metals. Nine experiments were designed on the topic. Students were interviewed and administered laboratory attitude scales at the end of the experiments.  The study concluded that the experiments in the new model were appropriate to teacher training programs and could successfully be administered to large groups.
Innovative methods of Teaching and Learning
Authors: Naga Subramani P.C. , Iyappan V.
Published: May 2018

Advance pedagogy is the way to enhance teaching and learning performance. Different innovative teaching methods are now in use across the globe. Hybrid teaching includes e - learning in addition to the face to face teaching. Use of technology and multimedia is described in details. Use of smart gadgets for different tasks like teaching, designing question papers, assessment of student, feedback and research methodology is discussed. The application of innovative teaching and learning methods is critical if we are to motivate and engender a spirit of learning as well as enthusiasm on the part of students, The role of education is to ensure that while academic staffs do teach, what is taught should also be intelligible to students emanating from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and that they rapidly become familiar with the expected standards. It is more often than not the case that students underachieve because of the fact that they have not grasped an awareness of the level of assessment or what it is that the lecturer expects from them. Lecturers should thus apply themselves to utilizing innovative methods so that the students’ learning process is as free-flowing as possible and that the methodology they adopt is conducive to learning. Innovative teaching and learning methodologies such as short lecture, simulation, role-playing, portfolio development and problem-based learning (PBL) are very useful in addressing the rapid technological advances and developing workplaces that will be required in the foreseeable future.
Teachers to Teach Mathematics with ICT
Authors: Nagasubramani P.C. , Jerlin Femi J.
Published: May 2018

The challenge for mathematics teacher educators is to identify teacher preparation and professional development programs that lead toward the development of technology pedagogical content knowledge. TPCK is an important body of knowledge for teaching mathematics that must be developed in the coursework in teaching and learning, as well as within the coursework directed at developing mathematical knowledge. Preparing teachers to teach mathematics is highlighted by its complexities. What technologies are adequate tools for learning mathematics? What about teacher attitudes and beliefs about teaching mathematics with technology? What are the barriers? These questions and more frame the challenge for the development of a research agenda for mathematics education that is directed toward assuring that all teachers and teacher candidates have opportunities to acquire the knowledge and experiences needed to incorporate technology in the context of teaching and learning mathematics.
Information Communication Technology in Education
Authors: Ratheeswari K.
Published: May 2018

Information communication technologies (ICT) at present are influencing every aspect of human life. They are playing salient roles in work places, business, education, and entertainment. Moreover, many people recognize ICTs as catalysts for change; change in working conditions, handling and exchanging information, teaching methods, learning approaches, scientific research, and in accessing information communication technologies. In this digital era, ICT use in the classroom is important for giving students opportunities to learn and apply the required 21st century skills. ICT improves teaching and learning and its importance for teachers in performing their role of creators of pedagogical environments. ICT helps of a teacher to present his teaching attractively and able to learn for the learners at any level of educational programmes. Today in India teaching training programmes making useful and attractive by the term of ICT. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) exemplified by the internet and interactive multimedia are obviously an important focus for future education and need to be effectively integrated into formal teaching and learning – especially in a teacher education institution.
Chrystianologia moralna w świetle wybranych polskojęzycznych komentarzy Listu św. Pawła Apostoła do Efezjan
Authors: Kluz Marek , Słomka Artur Sylwester
Published: May 2018

Jednym z celów listów św. Pawła jest przekazanie adresatom treści moralnych. Znajdują się u Apostoła treści, które stanowią podstawę i uzasadnienie dla norm moralnych. Niniejsze studium traktuje o elementach chrystianologii w Liście św. Pawła do Efezjan. Dotychczasowy termin „antropologia” stosowany do Pawłowej wizji chrześcijanina został zastąpiony terminem „chrystianologia”. Pawłowy materiał chrystianologiczny jest bardzo bogaty, dlatego ograniczono niniejszą refleksję do najważniejszych aspektów dotyczących naśladowania Jezusa Chrystusa w oparciu o wybrane polskojęzyczne komentarze Listu św. Pawła Apostoła do Efezjan. W Liście znajdują się konkretne wskazówki jak naśladować Chrystusa.
Dawid pokutujący w Biblii i w kantacie „Davide penitente” Wolfganga Amadeusa Mozarta
Authors: Wronka Stanisław
Published: May 2018

Dawid, król Izraela, jest wybitną postacią w historii biblijnej. Niezwykle utalentowany, zostawił wiele wspaniałych dzieł na różnych polach ‒ religijnym, politycznym, artystycznym. Nie ustrzegł się jednak poważnych błędów, a nawet zbrodni, ale potrafił się z nich podnieść przez pokutę, odwoływanie się do Bożego miłosierdzia. Widać to najlepiej po cudzołóstwie z Batszebą i doprowadzeniu jej męża Uriasza do śmierci oraz po spisie ludności. Autor omawia te przypadki i zatrzymuje się także nad psalmami pokutnymi, które są refleksem postawy Dawida. W drugiej części została zanalizowana kantata Davide penitente Mozarta (KV 469), w której kompozytor wykorzystał muzykę z Wielkiej Mszy c-moll (KV 427/417a) do włoskich parafraz psalmów z XVIII wieku. Autor omawia genezę utworu i libretto oraz komentuje go w warstwie muzycznej i słownej. Kantata stanowi harmonijną syntezę, w której bogata muzyka dopełnia natchnione słowa, oddaje ich wewnętrzne napięcia i emocje. Słuchając tego utworu, można głębiej przeżyć treści zawarte w tekście biblijnym i wniknąć w dramatyczny świat Dawida, rozświetlony zawsze Bożą łaską.
Barriers and Facilitators Affecting Patient Portal Implementation from an Organizational Perspective: Qualitative Study.
Authors: Kooij Laura , Groen Wim G , van Harten Wim H
Published: May 2018

Background

The number of patient portals is rising, and although portals can have positive effects, their implementation has major impacts on the providing health care institutions. However, little is known about the organizational factors affecting successful implementation. Knowledge of the specific barriers to and facilitators of various stakeholders is likely to be useful for future implementations.

Objective

The objective of this study was to identify the barriers to and facilitators of patient portal implementation facing various stakeholders within hospital organizations in the Netherlands.

Methods

Purposive sampling was used to select hospitals of various types. A total of 2 university medical centers, 3 teaching hospitals, and 2 general hospitals were included. For each, 3 stakeholders were interviewed: (1) medical professionals, (2) managers, and (3) information technology employees. In total, 21 semistructured interviews were conducted using the Grol and Wensing model, which describes barriers to and facilitators of change in health care practice at 6 levels: (1) innovation; (2) individual professional; (3) patient; (4) social context; (5) organizational context; and (6) economic and political context. Two researchers independently selected and coded quotes by applying this model using a (deductive) directed content approach. Additional factors related to technical and portal characteristics were added using the model of McGinn et al, developed for implementation of electronic health records.

Results

In total, we identified 376 quotes, 26 barriers, and 28 facilitators. Thirteen barriers and 12 facilitators were common for all stakeholder groups. The facilitators’ perceived usefulness (especially less paperwork) was mentioned by all the stakeholders, followed by subjects’ positive attitude. The main barriers were lack of resources (namely, lack of staff and materials), financial difficulties (especially complying with high costs, lack of reimbursements), and guaranteeing privacy and security (eg, strict regulations). Both similarities and differences were found between stakeholder groups and hospital types. For example, managers and information technology employees mainly considered guaranteeing privacy and security as a predominant barrier. Financial difficulties were particularly mentioned by medical professionals and managers.

Conclusions

Patient portal implementation is a complex process and is not only a technical process but also affects the organization and its staff. Barriers and facilitators occurred at various levels and differed among hospital types (eg, lack of accessibility) and stakeholder groups (eg, sufficient resources) in terms of several factors. Our findings underscore the importance of involving multiple stakeholders in portal implementations. We identified a set of barriers and facilitators that are likely to be useful in making strategic and efficient implementation plans.
Cognitive Assessment of Patients With Alzheimer's Disease by Telemedicine: Pilot Study
Authors: Carotenuto Anna , Rea Raffaele , Traini Enea , Ricci Giovanna , Fasanaro Angiola Maria , Amenta Francesco
Published: May 2018

Background

Approximately 46.8 million people are living with dementia worldwide and their number will grow in the next years. Any potential treatment should be administered as early as possible because it is important to provide an early cognitive assessment and to regularly monitor the mental function of patients. Information and communication technologies can be helpful to reach and follow patients without displacing them, but there may be doubts about the reliability of cognitive tests performed by telemedicine.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog) tests administered in hospital by videoconference to patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.

Methods

The tests were administered to 28 Alzheimer's disease outpatients (8 male, mean age 73.88, SD 7.45 years; 20 female mean age 76.00, SD 5.40 years) recruited and followed in the Alzheimer’s Unit of the A Cardarelli National Hospital (Naples, Italy) at baseline and after 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of observation. Patients were evaluated first face-to-face by a psychologist and then, after 2 weeks, by another psychologist via videoconference in hospital.

Results

This study showed no differences in the MMSE and ADAS-cog scores when the tests were administered face-to-face or by videoconference, except in patients with more pronounced cognitive deficits (MMSE<17), in which the assessment via videoconference overestimated the cognitive impairment (face to face, MMSE mean 13.9, SD 4.9 and ADAS-cog mean 9.0, SD 3.8; videoconference, MMSE mean 42.8, SD 12.5 and ADAS-cog mean 56.9, SD 5.5).

Conclusions

We found that videoconferencing is a reliable approach to document cognitive stability or decline, and to measure treatment effects in patients with mild to moderate dementia. A more extended study is needed to confirm these results.
The Impact of the mKidney mHealth System on Live Donor Follow-Up Compliance: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Henderson Macey L , Thomas Alvin G , Eno Ann K , Waldram Madeleine M , Bannon Jaclyn , Massie Allan B , Levan Michael A , Segev Dorry L , Bingaman Adam W
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

Every year, more than 5500 healthy people in the United States donate a kidney for the medical benefit of another person. The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) requires transplant hospitals to monitor living kidney donors (LKDs) for 2 years postdonation. However, the majority (115/202, 57%) of transplant hospitals in the United States continue to fail to meet nationally mandated requirements for LKD follow-up. A novel method for collecting LKD follow-up is needed to ease both the transplant hospital-level and patient-level burden. We built mKidney—a mobile health (mHealth) system designed specifically to facilitate the collection and reporting of OPTN-required LKD follow-up data. The mKidney mobile app was developed on the basis of input elicited from LKDs, transplant providers, and thought leaders.

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of the mKidney smartphone app on LKD follow-up rates.

METHODS

We will conduct a two-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) with LKDs who undergo LKD transplantation at Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. Eligible participants will be recruited in-person by a study team member at their 1-week postdonation clinical visit and randomly assigned to the intervention or control arm (1:1). Participants in the intervention arm will receive the mHealth intervention (mKidney), and participants in the control arm will receive the current standard of follow-up care. Our primary outcome will be policy-defined complete (all components addressed) and timely (60 days before or after the expected visit date) submission of LKD follow-up data at required 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year visits. Our secondary outcome will be hospital-level compliance with OPTN reporting requirements at each visit. Data analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. Additionally, we will collect quantitative and qualitative process data regarding the implementation of the mKidney system.

RESULTS

We began recruitment for this RCT in May 2018. We plan to enroll 400 LKDs over 2 years and follow participants for the 2-year mandated follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot RCT will evaluate the impact of the mKidney system on rates of LKD and hospital compliance with OPTN-mandated LKD follow-up at a large LKD transplant hospital. It will provide valuable information on strategies for implementing such a system in a clinical setting and inform effect sizes for future RCT sample size calculations.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPOR

DERR1-10.2196/11000
Intercultural Sensitivity, Intercultural Competence & Intercultural Intelligence: A Review of the Literature and a Proposition of a Linear Relationship
Authors: Moore-Jones, Ed.D P.J.
Published: May 2018

The ideas, terms and concepts surrounding intercultural competence are robust and offer varying degrees, phases and precursors. Working off of the definitions, models and stages of previous works, this review starts by providing working definitions of culture, intercultural sensitivity, intercultural competence and intercultural intelligence. This presentation of literature is sequenced in a way to give insight into how and why each of these terms lead into and overlap each other and how a causal relationship is manifested in each step. This review is approached through the lens of education and how these concepts can and are applied in a classroom environment. Conclusions are made regarding the linear, yet not prescriptive relationship among these steps.
AS CONTRIBUIÇÕES DE UMA UNIVERSIDADE COMUNITÁRIA NO FOMENTO À INOVAÇÃO: UM ESTUDO AMPARADO NO CONCEITO DA TRÍPLICE-HÉLICE
Authors: Almino Francisco Thiago Henrique , Nakayama Marina Keiko , Gianezini Miguelangelo , Vefago Yuri Borba
Published: May 2018

O estudo busca elucidar questões que posicionam uma Instituição de Educação Superior no contexto do desenvolvimento de políticas de inovação, ciência e tecnologia, pautado na elucidação das contribuições de uma universidade comunitária para o fortalecimento das políticas de inovação, ciência e tecnologia na região sul do estado de Santa Catarina. As contribuições teóricas elencam aspectos relacionados à sociedade do conhecimento e a contribuição das políticas de inovação, ciência e tecnologia e da tríplice-hélice para a materialização de uma sociedade baseada em um novo fator de produção. A pesquisa, pautada em uma visão de mundo interpretativista e com uma abordagem qualitativa, fez uso de métodos de pesquisa bibliográficos e documentais para a coleta de dados. Aos resultados, cabe destacar o papel da universidade estudada na perspectiva de fomentar uma das estruturas da tríplice-hélice, de modo que a contribuição para o desenvolvimento das políticas de inovação, ciência e tecnologia possam estar cada vez mais incorporadas em sua identidade institucional.