bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Student Centered is the Computer Science Classroom? A Survey of College Faculty
Authors: Grissom Scott , Mccauley Renée , Murphy Laurie
Published: November 2017

Student-centered instructional practices structure a class so that students interact with each other, engage deeply with the content, and receive formative feedback. These evidence-based practices benefit all students but are particularly effective with underrepresented learners, including women and members of other minority groups. To what extent have computer science (CS) faculty embraced these strategies? We surveyed over 700 U.S. faculty to find out. Results suggest that female faculty, associate professors, and those teaching courses with enrollment above 80 students are more likely to use these student-centered practices. Across all responses, 20% of faculty use student--student interaction on a regular basis during class. In contrast, 38% of faculty rely on lectures for content delivery. Results were also compared with published data for other academic disciplines. CS faculty are less likely to use these practices compared to their non-STEM colleagues but more likely to use these practices compared to other STEM discipline faculty. Overall, CS faculty have adopted student-centered practices to some degree, but our community should strive for higher adoption rates to help as many students as possible learn and remain in computer science.
Ruptured de novo Aneurysm following Gamma Knife Surgery for Arteriovenous Malformation: Case Report
Authors: Dho Yun-Sik , Kim Dong Gyu , Chung Hyun-Tai
Published: November 2017

Stereotactic radiosurgery is a well-known treatment tool for arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). The method has high validity and minimal invasiveness, but late-onset problems involving tumor formation and vasculopathy induced by radiation have been reported. We present a rare case of a radiation-induced ruptured de novo aneurysm following Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) for an AVM. A 17-year-old, right-handed male underwent GKS for AVM at the left parietal lobe. After 3 years, a follow-up angiogram showed a residual AVM at the angular gyrus. Then, a 2nd GKS was performed for the residual lesion. Six years after the 1st GKS, the AVM disappeared on the angiogram. Seven years later, he suffered a sudden onset of headache. A left carotid angiogram revealed a ruptured aneurysm at the M2-M3 junction of the middle cerebral artery parietal branch. Coil embolization was performed, and the aneurysm was occluded. The patient was discharged without any neurologic deficits.
NSCLC Patients Harbouring Rare or Complex EGFR Mutations Are More Often Smokers and Might Not Benefit from First-Line Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapy
Authors: Kauffmann-Guerrero Diego , Huber Rudolf Maria , Reu Simone , Tufman Amanda , Mertsch Pontus , Syunyaeva Zulfiya , Jung Andreas , Kahnert Kathrin
Published: November 2017

Background: Generally, tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy is recommended in first-line treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harbouring a classic epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation. However, the response of patients with rare or complex EGFR mutations to TKI treatment is not predictable, nor is the prognosis for such patients. Objectives: In cases of rare or complex EGFR mutations, the right approach to therapy remains challenging. That is why we sought to analyse the characteristics as well as the prognosis and the response to TKI treatment of patients with rare or complex EGFR mutations. Patients and Methods: 343 NSCLC patients tested for EGFR mutation at a German lung cancer centre were analysed for age, gender, and smoking status as well as for the mutation status. For 12 patients with rare and complex mutations, response to TKI treatment was described. Results: 282 of all patients had a wild-type EGFR, whereas 61 harboured an EGFR mutation. 32 of these were classic mutations, followed by 16 rare and 7 complex mutations. EGFR mutations were significantly more frequent in women. Patients with rare or complex mutations were significantly more often smokers compared to those with classic EGFR mutations. Furthermore, rare and complex mutations were less responsive to TKI therapy. Conclusion: Patients with rare or complex EGFR mutations differ from those with classic mutations in terms of smoking status and response to TKIs. As these mutations may not respond well to TKI therapy, first-line TKIs should not be automatically chosen based on the sole presence of an EGFR mutation.
Alpha-Mangostin Suppresses the Metastasis of Human Renal Carcinoma Cells by Targeting MEK/ERK Expression and MMP-9 Transcription Activity
Authors: Chen Chien-Min , Hsieh Shu-Ching , Lin Chia-Liang , Lin Yu-Syun , Tsai Jen-Pi , Hsieh Yi-Hsien
Published: November 2017

Background/Aims: α-mangostin has anti-carcinogenic effects against several cancers. We investigated the molecular mechanism of this compound on the metastasis of human renal carcinoma cells. Methods: Cell viability was measured using the MTT assay, and cell cycle distribution using flow cytometry. A Matrigel-based assay was used to measure in vitro cell migration and invasion. MAPK-related proteins and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and MMP-2 expression were measured by western blotting, and MMP2/-9 activities were determined by gelatin zymography. RT-qPCR and a luciferase assay were used to examine the transcriptional activity of MMP-9. Results: α-mangostin inhibited the migration and invasion of RCC cells in a dose-dependent manner, but had no evident cytotoxic effects. Treatment of 786-O cells with α-mangostin inhibited activation of MEK and ERK. Treatment with a specific MEK inhibitor (U0126) enhanced the inhibitory effects of α-mangostin on cell migration and invasion, and the phosphorylation of ERK and MEK. Moreover, α-mangostin inhibited the expression of the MMP-9 mRNA levels as well as the activity of MMP-9 promoter, and these suppressive effects were further enhanced by U0126. Conclusions: Our results suggest that α-mangostin suppresses cell migration and invasion via MEK/ERK/MMP9 pathway, and might be a promising anti-metastatic agent against human renal cell carcinoma.
O retorno do paciente renal crônico às atividades produtivas após o transplante renal
Authors: Pereira Nathália Cristina Silva , Cardoso Jordana Santos
Published: November 2017

Introdução: O transplante renal possibilita o resgate do bem estar físico e da inserção no contexto social da pessoa com Doença Renal Crônica, em que o retorno à vida profissional e as outras atividades cotidianas se dão de forma gradativa. Objetivo: Avaliar o retorno às atividades produtivas após o transplante renal em pacientes acompanhados no Centro de Prevenção de Doenças Renais do Serviço de Nefrologia do Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal do Maranhão. Métodos: Estudo transversal de caráter descritivo, com dados secundários oriundos de prontuários, a partir da Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) e amostra de 127 prontuários. Resultados: Predominância de pacientes do sexo masculino (63,78%), média de idade de 41,5 anos, escolaridade com predominância de ensino fundamental incompleto (22,05%), aposentados (30,71%), predominância de tempo decorrido de transplante de 5 a 10 anos (47,24%), 26,77% permaneceram na mesma profissão após o transplante, 52,76% possuem trabalho remunerado e 11,02% não referiram retorno às atividades produtivas. A faixa etária de 35 a 55 anos e aqueles com nível de escolaridade fundamental incompleto apresentaram maior retorno às atividades produtivas. Conclusão: A amostra estudada apresentou resultados satisfatórios no que tange ao retorno às atividades produtivas, mas algumas variáveis merecem maior atenção a exemplo da escolaridade, sexo e idade quando relacionados ao retorno às atividades produtivas.
Inhalation of Fine Particulate Matter Impairs Endothelial Progenitor Cell Function Via Pulmonary Oxidative Stress
Authors: Haberzettl Petra , Conklin Daniel J. , Abplanalp Wesley T. , Bhatnagar Aruni , O’Toole Timothy E.
Published: November 2017

Objective—

Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM
2.5
) air pollution is associated with the depletion of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), as well as vascular injury and dysfunction. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether PM
2.5
exposure leads to significant impairments in EPC function. Hence, we studied the effects of PM
2.5
on EPC-mediated recovery of vascular perfusion after hindlimb ischemia and examined the mechanisms whereby PM
2.5
exposure affects EPC abundance and function.

Approach and Results—

In comparison with EPCs isolated from mice breathing filtered air, EPCs from mice exposed for 9 consecutive days (6 hours per day) to concentrated ambient PM
2.5
(CAP) had defects in both proliferation and tube formation. However, CAP exposure of mice overexpressing extracellular superoxide dismutase (ecSOD-Tg) in the lungs did not affect EPC tube formation. Exposure to CAP also suppressed circulating EPC levels, VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor)-stimulated aortic Akt phosphorylation, and plasma NO levels in wild-type but not in ecSOD-Tg mice. EPCs from CAP-exposed wild-type mice failed to augment basal recovery of hindlimb perfusion when injected into unexposed mice subjected to hindlimb ischemia; however, these deficits in recovery of hindlimb perfusion were absent when using EPCs derived from CAP-exposed ecSOD-Tg mice. The improved reparative function of EPCs from CAP-exposed ecSOD-Tg mice was also reflected by greater expression of
Mmp-9
and
Nos3
when compared with EPCs from CAP-exposed wild-type mice.

Conclusions—

Exposure to PM
2.5
impairs EPC abundance and function and prevents EPC-mediated vascular recovery after hindlimb ischemia. This defect is attributed, in part, to pulmonary oxidative stress and was associated with vascular VEGF resistance and a decrement in NO bioavailability.
Style and Substance in Rococo Science
Authors: Bycroft Michael
Published: November 2017

Rococo art and Enlightenment science, both of which flourished in Paris from 1710 to 1740, appear to have embodied two different sets of values. But the stylistic differences between them dissolve in their common concern with making and manipulating substances. Scientists at the Paris Academy of Science, especially René Réaumur and Charles Dufay, experimented on many of the same substances that artists used, often exploiting the same properties. Studying style and substance together brings out the connections between art and science and shows the value of respecting these two disciplines when writing their history.
Early Phenomenological Light Works
Authors: Pinkel Sheila
Published: November 2017

Making visible the invisible in nature and culture has been the focus of the author's work since 1973. In the early 1970s, experimental approaches were being explored in art and photography. At that time, the author investigated imaging possibilities using a range of approaches, from making photographic images without a camera or enlarger to using light-sensitive emulsions, Xerox machines, and computer and X-ray technology available in the 1970s in order to explore the potential for light to make visible form in nature. Unexpectedly, this exploration also resulted in social content that was the outcome of the author's work, the exhibition Multicultural Focus. This period was the beginning of the artist's ongoing investigation into the transformative potential of light.
Person-centred communication for emotional support in district nursing: SAGE and THYME model
Authors: Griffiths Jane
Published: November 2017

Patients on district nursing caseloads have multiple physical morbidities, and related emotional concerns. District nurses are ideally placed to assess and meet patients' emotional needs but in increasingly stretched workplaces, it is difficult to find time. There is also evidence that district nurses sometimes believe they lack skills to address patients' concerns. Traditional communication skills training is useful for encouraging patients to open up about their concerns, but less helpful at finding workable solutions. District nurses can be afraid to open a ‘can of worms' of concerns that they are unable to deal with. SAGE and THYME is a person-centred, evidence-based communication skills model that addresses district nurses' concerns about time and skills. It provides a structure for conversations about concerns, and empowers patients to work with district nurses to find solutions. Research suggests that it is a promising model for district nursing practice.
Vaccinations in individuals with underlying medical conditions
Authors: Ford Karen
Published: November 2017

Certain medical conditions make patients more vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases. Karen Ford discusses the rationale for vaccinating these patients

Some underlying medical conditions, such as severe asthma, diabetes, immunosuppression and asplenia increase an individual's risk of complications from vaccine-preventable diseases. Ensuring all individuals with underlying medical conditions are vaccinated according to national recommendations can protect them from severe disease and complications. The practice nurse has a key role to play in protecting these individuals.
Lessons learned from the CQC report
Authors: Frankova Helena
Published: November 2017

A new CQC report that assesses the state of care in general practice from 2014 to 2017 has been published. Helena Frankova explores the challenges, opportunities and areas of improvement for GP surgeries that arise out of its findings
Rabies: Knowing the risks involved
Authors: Brewer Catherine
Published: November 2017

Rabies is a commonly misunderstood disease. Here, Catherine Brewer discusses risks, prevention and what to do if exposed, as well as identifying those groups at high risk
Increasing investment in staff training
Authors: Brownlie Tom
Published: November 2017

Medical error causes thousands of deaths every year and a lack of understanding surrounding medical terminology can be dangerous for practices. Therefore, staff training should be of greater focus for practice managers than ever, says Tom Brownlie
What will the budget hold for the NHS?
Authors: Turnbull Alex
Published: November 2017

With services overstretched and a dire recruitment crisis on the horizon, will the Chancellor listen to the NHS?
The importance of your voice
Authors: Stanley Julian
Published: November 2017

Voice care is incredibly important for teachers and vocal damage is a big risk. Julian Stanley offers some voice care advice
Total recall
Authors: Bromley Matt
Published: November 2017

In the final instalment of our series on how students learn, Matt Bromley recaps his key messages on how we can improve pupils' recall abilities and offers some useful classroom routines to bring many of these ideas together
Engaging with parents in order to support children's learning
Authors: Michael Nicola
Published: November 2017

Engaging with parents can have a notable impact on progress and attainment, especially for disadvantaged students. Nicola Michael describes her recent work to help parents support children's learning
O Departamento de Estoque como fator influenciador na Gestão de Empresas
Authors: Akemi Karina , Ribeiro Mariana Emídio Oliveira , Lavor Anna Ariane Araújo de , Silva Antônio Carlos Alves da
Published: November 2017

O presente trabalho, teve como objetivo verificar como a gestão de estoque influencia nas empresas, visto que ter um estoque é essencial para as organizações, uma vez que auxilia no processo de vendas e na garantia aos clientes. A metodologia utilizada foi a de pesquisa bibliográfica, com leituras, comentários e citações por meio de livros e sites especializados. Utilizou-se a pesquisa qualitativa, cujoa hipótese da pesquisa não obteve uma resposta de sim ou não, e também exploratória, que tem como objetivo alcançar novas percepções do assunto e descobrir novas ideias. Essa pesquisa foi realizada no segundo semestre de 2016. Os resultados obtidos explicam que é fundamental um estoque nas empresas, pois torna-se eficiente ao atender melhor os clientes, no qual, se torna apta a competir com as outras empresas do mesmo segmento. O estoque é um dos principais departamentos dentro de uma empresa, é nele que é armazenado todos os produtos que são vendidos. E há sempre uma pessoa responsável por ele, que organiza e faz os controles diariamente para que assim o estoque e os produtos que nele é composto fiquem em ordem. Funcionários de depósito são os responsáveis por fazer todo o inventário com a função de controlar o estoque. Onde é necessário sempre fazer a contagem dos produtos, ou até mesmo um balanço a cada três meses para verificar se a contagem no estoque físico confere com a do contábil. Desse modo, é fundamental para as empresas e até mesmo para a comodidade dos clientes e funcionários a obtenção de um estoque de materiais, pois além do estoque ser uma estratégia para as empresas, onde em muitos casos o lucro é evidente, o mesmo também serve para ter produtos sempre disponíveis para as vendas, sendo assim, uma das funções indispensável dentro de qualquer organização. Palavras-chave:
Lesões por Esforços Repetitivos e Distúrbios Osteomusculares em cirurgiões-dentistas
Authors: Viana Hugo Vilela , Rocha Marcelo Pereira da
Published: November 2017

As lesões por esforços repetitivos (LER) e distúrbios osteomusculares  relacionados ao trabalho (DORT), em cirurgiões-dentistas, são de elevada prevalência e importante causa de afastamento do trabalho. Esta pesquisa, conduzida por meio de revisão da literatura, de forma sistemática, apresenta o perfil das publicações e os principais aspectos acerca das LER/DORT em dentistas.  Os artigos selecionados foram acessados nas bases de dados Scielo, PubMed e Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde. Foi possível identificar as principais causas desses agravos, bem como medidas de prevenção, de modo que o profissional possa usufruir de melhor qualidade de vida. A organização do trabalho é importante fator de risco, capaz de causar ou agravar as condições musculoesqueléticas dos profissionais dos serviços odontológicos.
Violência doméstica entre parceiros íntimos: Questões culturais e sociais acerca dos homens autores de violência
Authors: Souza Marjane Bernardy , Silva Márcio Dos Santos , Abreu Gabriela Silva de
Published: November 2017

O objetivo deste estudo foi o de identificar questões sociais e culturais que expliquem os altos índices de violência contra as mulheres, provocados por seus parceiros, assim como delinear o perfil dos agressores que cometem tais atos e entender os principais fatores que motivam o surgimento da violência. Utilizou-se como método uma revisão sistemática para levantar as produções científicas, através da base de dados LILACS – Literatura Latino-americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde, entre os anos de 2012 e 2016, no idioma português. As buscas foram realizadas através de palavras-chave, cinco artigos corresponderam aos critérios e objetivos. Inúmeros artigos focam nas consequências e formas de enfrentamento realizados por equipes multidisciplinares ao combate à violência e/ou diminuição do sofrimento causado por esta a essas mulheres. Em contrapartida, são poucos os trabalhos publicados que procuram explicar os motivos que levam os homens a cometerem tais tipos de violência contra suas companheiras.
O Lúdico como Ferramenta no Ensino da Matemática
Authors: Silva Luciana Verêda da , Angelim Clenilson Panta
Published: November 2017

O presente trabalho foi desenvolvido com base em pesquisas bibliográficas, exploratórias, teóricas e qualitativas e tem como principal objetivo fazer uma análise e reflexão sobre a importância de se trabalhar com o lúdico no ensino de matemática, enfatizando principalmente as contribuições encontradas nesse processo, reforçando que o lúdico pode e deve ser uma ferramenta positiva no ensino da matemática, apresentando a importância de se trabalhar com  atividades lúdicas no ensino, ressaltando suas contribuições nas aulas de matemática, tanto para o professor quanto para a criança, principalmente nos primeiros anos do ensino (infantil e fundamental I), sabendo que o lúdico beneficiará de maneira significativa para o desenvolvimento intelectual e potencial de cada criança. Apresentar ainda que através do lúdico inserido no ensino de matemática, irá trazer um resultado positivo com relação ao aprendizado das crianças, pelo brincar. Conceituar o termo Lúdico como sendo qualidade daquilo que estimula através da fantasia, do divertimento ou da brincadeira, na visão de alguns autores reforçar esses conceitos percebendo o quanto o ato de brincar é importante para o desenvolvimento intelectual e cognitivo dos estudantes ainda crianças, mas ainda citar alguns jogos que auxiliam no processo de alfabetização matemática, bem como suas contribuições nessa área do conhecimento matemático.
Fatores Relacionados ao Afastamento de Enfermeiros em um Hospital Público do Município de Vitória da Conquista
Authors: Varges Luana Maria De Sousa , Barbosa Mirella Cristina Letto
Published: November 2017

A Saúde e a Segurança do Trabalho tem sido alvo de muitas discussões nos últimos anos. Atualmente tem-se observado aumento crescente no absenteísmo principalmente de profissionais que trabalham em âmbito hospitalar. Assim, este trabalho teve por objetivo analisar as principais causas de absenteísmo entre enfermeiros de um hospital público do sudoeste da Bahia no ano de 2016. Trata-se de um estudo de natureza quantitativa, transversal e descritiva que foi realizado em um hospital da rede pública de um município do sudoeste da Bahia de nível secundário, considerado de grande porte. Os dados foram obtidos a partir do banco de dados do RH e do Serviço de Saúde do Trabalhador desse hospital, organizado no programa Excel/2010. Os resultados mostraram altas taxas de absenteísmo no sexo feminino (82,9%), a local de trabalho com maior percentual de atestados foi a UTI (31,3%), a faixa etária com maior percentual de atestados foi a de 28 – 39 anos (59,6%), com relação ao período de afastamento do serviço verificou-se a maior incidência de 1 à 9 dias (74%), a causa segundo CID 10, prevaleceu doenças respiratórias (15,8%). Conclui-se que o absenteísmo na classe de enfermagem é grande e merece atenção. Ocorre principalmente entre as mulheres, e em setores hospitalares “fechados”, como a urgência/emergência e a Unidade de terapia Intensiva (UTI), na causa dos afastamentos do trabalho, é predominante às doenças do aparelho respiratório, assim como doenças osteomusculares que são impactantes na saúde dos trabalhadores de enfermagem. Considera-se relevante que outros estudos com esta temática sejam desenvolvidos, uma vez que o absenteísmo nas instituições hospitalares é grande e repercute de forma direta na qualidade da assistência que é prestada pela equipe de enfermagem ao paciente.
Percepção dos Idosos Acerca da Atividade Física na Terceira Idade
Authors: Ferraro Naiara Santiago , Cândido Aldrina Da Silva Confessor
Published: November 2017

O presente estudo teve como objetivo conhecer a percepção dos idosos acerca da atividade física na terceira idade. Trata-se de um artigo de Revisão Integrativa da Literatura de 15 artigos selecionados mediante os seguintes critérios de inclusão: abordar a temática proposta, estar entre os anos de 2011 e 2017, publicados na integra, em português e gratuitos. Os resultados apontaram que, quem mais pratica atividade física são idosos entre 60 e 70 anos, com patologias associadas; a principal atividade é a caminhada, numa rotina de realização de três vezes semanais, tendo a saúde como principal motivação para aderir à atividade física e as condições financeiras como o principal motivo para não aderir. Os benefícios mais citados se referem à socialização e qualidade de vida. Considerou-se queos idosos percebem que,quanto mais aderem a prática de atividade física,melhor é sua qualidade de vida, considerando os aspectos fisiológicos e psicossociais.
Deformaciones neotectónicas en el relieve fluvial de la Llanura Sur de Pinar del Río, Cuba
Authors: Estévez Cruz Elmidio , Ordaz Hernández Alexis , Hernández Santana José Ramón
Published: November 2017

Las investigaciones neotectónicas se enfocan a la determinación de los movimientos tectónicos más recientes de la corteza terrestre y poseen un gran significado en el análisis geomorfológico de la estructura del relieve moderno. En las regiones relativamente llanas no siempre resulta fácil el reconocimiento de evidencias de las deformaciones neotectónicas en el relieve fluvial. Desde el punto de vista metodológico, quedó demostrada la eficiencia del empleo de los métodos geológicos, geomorfológicos y edafológicos, como la evaluación morfométrica del relieve, el análisis de anomalías del drenaje, el estudio de la distribución espacial de los complejos estratigráficos y de los sedimentos aluviales, y la espectrometría del canal de potasio en los mismos. Sus resultados destacaron la existencia de bloques longitudinales de tipo horst y graben, corroborando los resultados geofísicos y de perforaciones, así como la identificación de tres bloques transversales escalonados, de oeste a este, con amplitudes diferenciadas de los desplazamientos verticales del orden de 6 y 10 m. Los bloques centro-orientales (II y III) han experimentado una basculación tectónica sostenida, forzando la migración de la red fluvial en dirección suroeste, como lo evidencia la asimetría de las cuencas hidrográficas y la migración de los ríos en esa dirección. Finalmente, se pudo establecer que los ríos en la parte axial de la llanura muestran un patrón regional de inflexión horaria de sus cauces, el cual probablemente esté asociado con movimientos neotectónicos de cizalladura, que se manifiestan a lo largo de la dislocación que constituye el límite meridional de la depresión Los Palacios.
Wie kann Exnovation politisch gestaltet werden?
Authors: David Martin
Published: November 2017

In der Ausgabe 01/2017 von ÖkologischesWirtschaften skizzierte Dirk Arne Heyen Ansätze für eine politische Gestaltung von Exnovation. Doch eine solche konsensual und langfristig getroffene Entscheidung zum Ausstieg aus fossiler Energieerzeugung ist wahrscheinlich nicht ausreichend.
Auf dem Weg zum Aktionsplan Geschlechtergerechtigkeit und Klima
Authors: Alber Gotelind
Published: November 2017

Fanden sich in der UN-Klimarahmenkonvention keinerlei Bezüge zu Gender, fordert jetzt das Pariser Klimaabkommen, Geschlechtergerechtigkeit bei allen Aktivitäten zum Klimawandel zu berücksichtigen. Dies macht deutlich, dass die Klimapolitik in Sachen Geschlechtergerechtigkeit in Bewegung gekommen ist.
Resilienz und Vulnerabilität von Infrastrukturen
Authors: Aretz Astrid , Hirschl Bernd
Published: November 2017

Einführung in das Schwerpunktthema
Starke Handwerkerinnen
Authors: Degel Melanie , Hackfort Sarah , Oertel Britta
Published: November 2017

Energieeffiziente Dienstleistungen in den Bereichen Gebäudesanierung, Mobilität und betriebliche Effizienz sind zentrale Elemente des Klima schutzes. Die Umsetzung solcher Maßnahmen wurde im Rahmen eines Pilotprojekts durch Frauen aus der Dienstleistungs- und Energieforschung sowie dem Handwerk durchgeführt.
Responses of Rhizophora mangle L. to effluents from textile Industry in Kano, Nigeria
Authors: Emmanuel Iwuala , Alam Afroz , Abiodun Ajiboye
Published: November 2017

Polluted water discharge sourced from industrial effluent has emerge a distressing happening owing to its harmful effects on health, lives and safety of organisms. The extent of this unpleasant situation by and large remains unidentified. Thus, in the present study, the toxic effects of effluents from textile are analyzed through Rhizophora mangle L., by leaving it to polluted surface water by effluent from the Challawa stream.  An observation on the effects of textile effluent polluted water was analyzed on the growth, chlorophyll content, heavy metal quantification and membrane integrity in R. mangle was carried out. Seedlings raised from viviparous seeds (propagules) were grown in 50L effluent water from textile industry for 4 weeks.  Growth, physiological, biochemical parameters as well as quantification analysis of heavy metals of the seedlings were analysed immediately after the treatment period. The results proved that R. mangle seedlings were sensitive to metal toxicity. The treatment significantly reduced the growth index and chlorophyll contents evaluated. MDA content, catalase enzyme and heavy metal content (Fe, Ni and Cu) significantly increase when plants were grown in effluent water indicating ROS production. Therefore, this result implies that metals present in the textile effluent induce oxidative stress and membrane damage in R. mangle.
Effect of dietary protein on the growth of mullet, Chelon labrosus, reared in sea cages
Authors: Altunok Muhammet , Özden Osman
Published: November 2017

The purpose of the study was to obtain preliminary data on the effect of dietary protein on the growth of the thick-lipped grey mullet (Chelon labrosus) juveniles reared in net sea-cages. The juveniles (6.2 ± 0.61 g) were obtained from the wild and were stocked into net sea-cages at a stocking rate of 100 juveniles per cubic meter and fed with experimental diets including 25, 30, or 35% crude protein for 87 days. The highest mean weight and specific growth rate (SGR) were 39.5 g and 2.13% day−1, respectively, at protein levels of 30%. The diet also resulted in the most efficient feed conversion ratio of 1.61.
Meningoencephalitis in farmed monosex Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) caused by Streptococcus agalactiae
Authors: Adikesavalu Harresh , Banerjee Sayani , Patra Avijit , Abraham Thangapalam Jawahar
Published: November 2017

Aquaculture of tilapia is a new research venture in India. With intensification in farming practices, tilapia are increasingly susceptible to bacterial infections. This article describes the isolation and identification of pathogenic bacteria from cultured monosex Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), that experienced moderate to severe mortalities in West Bengal, India between September and August 2014 and histopathological alterations in various organs. Gram-positive diplococci, identified as Streptococcus agalactiae with Streptococcus identification kits and 16S rDNA sequencing analysis, were isolated from the brain, operculum, and kidney. Other bacteria from the kidney were identified as Aeromonas sobria, A. caviae, Klebsiella pneumoniae ssp. pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Enterobacter cloacae. Staphylococcus epidermis was isolated from opercular hemorrhages. Histological sections of the infected tilapia brain revealed meningoencephalitis and granulomatous lesions. Sections from other organs indicated congestion, hemorrhagic and hyperplastic cells, necrosis, vacuolation, hemosiderin deposition, hypertrophic nuclei, melanomacrophage aggregation, and ruptured veins. This report is the first description of S. agalactiae as a primary pathogen causing meningoencephalitis in cultured tilapia in India.
A Comparative Study on the Properties of Potentially Bioactive Glasses Obtained by Sol-Gel Technique and by Melting Mixtures of Oxides
Authors: Avram Daniela , Ungureanu Dan , Angelescu Nicolae , Barroso de Aguiar José
Published: November 2017

Phosphocalcic glasses, based on ternary system SiO2 - CaO- P2O5 and those doped with copper (SiO2 – CaO - P2O5 - Cu2O) can be obtained by the traditional method of sub-cooling melts or modern methods such as process that uses mechanical energy, neutrons action, deposition in thin layers or by sol-gel technique. This paper shows the experimental results of three compositional phosphocalcic glasses: 50% SiO2 - 43% CaO - 7% P2O5, 50% SiO2 - 38% CaO - 7% P2O5 - 5% Cu2O obtained through sol-gel method and 45% SiO2 - 22.5% CaO - 22.5 Na2O - 5% P2O5 - 5% Cu2O obtained by melting. In order to study their bioactivity, the three compositions were structural analyzed by X-ray diffraction method. In this case the apatite formation was highlighted after soaked in simulated body fluid, but also other compounds (CaCO3 and CuO) resulting from the same process were observed. In case of the melting glass apatite formation has not been highlighted. The functional groups present in the structure of glasses before and after soaking (PO4
3−, CO3
2− and HO−) were highlighted by the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The elemental chemical composition was confirmed by elemental analysis WD-XRF. The morphology of sol-gel glass powders was revealed by SEM analysis. All glass compositions were tested in terms of antibacterial activity in vitro.
Definition of the upper reference limit of glycated albumin in blood donors from Italy
Authors: Bellia Chiara , Zaninotto Martina , Cosma Chiara , Agnello Luisa , Lo Sasso Bruna , Bivona Giulia , Plebani Mario , Ciaccio Marcello
Published: November 2017

Background:

Glycated Albumin (GA) has been proposed as a short-term indicator of glycemic homeostasis. The aim of this study is to describe the distribution of GA in a large sample of blood donors from Italy to evaluate whether demographic features, namely age and sex, could influence GA levels and define specific reference limits.

Methods:

The study included 1334 Italian blood donors. GA was measured using an enzymatic method (quantILab Glycated Albumin, IL Werfen, Germany). The upper reference limit (URL) was calculated using the non-parametric percentile method.

Results:

A modest, although significant, increase of GA was observed in relation to age (p<0.001), especially in males, where the differences were more pronounced (p<0.001 in males, p=0.003 in females). Slight differences were documented based on sex (12% [11.3–12.8] in males; 12.2% [11.4–13.1] in females; p=0.01). After excluding individuals with fasting plasma glucose ≥7 mmol/L, the calculated GA URL was 14.5% (95% CI: 14.3–14.7). Subjects with GA>14.5% presented a mean age of 48.4±12.2 years, 66.7% were males and the mean glucose was 6.88±2.5 mmol/L.

Conclusions:

GA in Caucasians shows a similar increasing trend at older ages documented in other ethnicities. The definition of the URL in this population could be useful for both clinical studies, which will clarify the role of GA for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes, and will encourage the introduction of GA in clinical practice.
Gender, the Nigerian Civil War and Hard Choices: Nihilism or Absurdism (?) in Isidore Okpewho’s The Last Duty
Authors: Nwachukwu Chukwuka Ogbu , Nwachukwu Urama Evelyn
Published: November 2017

This paper entitled “Gender, the Nigerian Civil War and Hard Choices: Nihilism or Absurdism(?) in Isidore Okpewho’s The Last Duty” evinces an evaluative excursion into the author’s delineation of gender in war and its concomitants regarding actions, inactions, and the mindset of the actors and the acted-upon (victims) of the fratricidal Nigerian conflict within a designated theatre. We demonstrated that the quantum impact of the war engages some near-totally nihilistic imperatives of the war. Nevertheless, we surmised, at the final count, that the war results in high-wire tension rather than erode the indices for hope regarding the war victims and victimizers alike; and by dangerous extension, the Nigerian nation. Although we conceded the presence of dystopia which is life-threatening and socially destabilizing, our calculation in the final analysis, is that the tensions generated against both genders in the war are essentially absurdist, not nihilist. In this vein of analysis, we concluded that Okpewho’s delineation retains deliberately enough rays for reconstructive, rehabilitative, regenerative and cohesive engagements that will pave the way for societal survival and continuity.
Faulkner’s Quixotic Picaresque: Carnival, Tricksters, and Rhizomatic Intertextuality in The Reivers
Authors: Beek David E. S.
Published: November 2017

Faulkner’s The Reivers exemplifies the Quixotic Picaresque-a conflation of the narrative modes exhibited in Lazarillo de Tormes and Miguel de Cervantes’s Don Quixote. This essay explores the correlation between Spain’s transition from feudalism to a modern mercantile society and the United States’ transition from an agrarian society based on slavery to a modern industrial nation within the cultural contexts of these novels. In each of these works, a series of trickster figures undertake performative acts of deception, particularly the masking tradition of Carnival, in order to endure the hardships of modernity. However, whereas most tricksters tend to be solely focused on pragmatic individual objectives, quixotic pícaros maintain a sense of idealism that leads them to consider the Other and thus act in the name of communal prosperity. These selfless tricksters meta-theatrically parody the generic social conventions in which they reside in order to subvert the hegemony that seeks to oppress and marginalise them and fellow members of their communities. In performing an array of identities and social roles, these quixotic pícaros contribute to the opacity of modern multicultural nation-states, and thus, disrupt all social hierarchies leading to the regeneration of the public body, mobility, and a more utopian world.
Evaluation of the Impact of Transient Disturbances on Railway Signaling Systems Using an Adapted Time-Frequency Analysis Method
Authors: Kousri Mohamed Raouf , Deniau Virginie , Heddebaut Marc , Baranowski Sylvie
Published: November 2017

As many other industrial environments, the railway electromagnetic environment is characterized by a large number of electromagnetic signals and disturbances. Among these, transient signals, with high energy level and wide frequency spectrum, represent an important threat to different signaling subsystems. In this paper, a new methodology dedicated to the detection and the characterization of the transient disturbances is presented. Based on a flexible and adjustable time-frequency analysis, this methodology is used to evaluate the impact of transient disturbances on a ground-to-train radio communication. A test bench was developed in order to validate the results of this evaluation.
Spectrum Allocation Policy in Elastic Optical Networks
Authors: Olszewski Ireneusz
Published: November 2017

The considered problem covers routing and spectrum allocation problem (RSA problem) in Elastic Optical Networks while maintaining the spectrum continuity constraints, non-overlapping spectra constraints for adjacent connections on individual links of the network and spectrum contiguity constraints of the connection. In this article the modified version of the First Fit spectrum slot allocation policy for Fixed Alternate Routing in flexible optical networks has been proposed. The Fixed Alternate Routing with proposed spectrum allocation policy rejects fewer requests, provides less bandwidth blocking probability and less spectrum fragmentation than Fixed Alternate Routing with well-known First Fit and Exact Fit spectrum allocation policies. However, the cost of improving these parameters is a higher computational complexity of the proposed allocation policy.
Wireless Sensor Node Localization based on LNSM and Hybrid TLBO- Unilateral technique for Outdoor Location
Authors: Kaundal Vivek , Sharma Paawan , Prateek Manish
Published: November 2017

The paper aims at localization of the anchor node (fixed node) by pursuit nodes (movable node) in outdoor location. Two methods are studied for node localization. The first method is based on LNSM (Log Normal Shadowing Model) technique to localize the anchor node and the second method is based on Hybrid TLBO (Teacher Learning Based Optimization Algorithm)- Unilateral technique. In the first approach the ZigBee protocol has been used to localize the node, which uses RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) values in dBm. LNSM technique is implemented in the self-designed hardware node and localization is studied for Outdoor location. The statistical analysis using RMSE (root mean square error) for outdoor location is done and distance error found to be 35 mtrs. The same outdoor location has been used and statistical analysis is done for localization of nodes using Hybrid TLBO-Unilateral technique. The Hybrid- TLBO Unilateral technique significantly localizes anchor node with distance error of 0.7 mtrs. The RSSI values obtained are normally distributed and standard deviation in RSSI value is observed as 1.01 for outdoor location. The node becomes 100% discoverable after using hybrid TLBO- Unilateral technique.
An Energy-Efficient Proactive Routing Scheme for MANET: Game Theoretical Approach of Forwarding with Selfish Nodes
Authors: Sahnoun Abdelkabir , Habbani Ahmed , Abbadi Jamal El
Published: November 2017

In Mobile Ad-hoc Networks, nodes exchange packets with each other using intermediate nodes as relays. Since nodes in MANETs are battery powered, energy conservation is a crucial issue. Accepting relay all request may not be in the best interest of a node. But if many nodes prefer not to consume energy in relaying packets on behalf of others, the overall performance of routing in network will be influenced. In this paper we address the energy-efficient routing problem in MANETs with selfish nodes. We modeled this problem as a game-theoretic constraint optimization; we defined the utility of each node as a weighted difference between a performance metric and some transmission costs. A motivate mechanism is proposed in order to induce nodes to forwarding cooperation. Each node independently implements the optimal equilibrium strategy under the given constraints. Simulation results by NS3 simulator show that our proposed approach can improve system performance in network lifetime and packet delivery ratio.
The Eventfulness of Non-Events in Modernist Poetry: T. S. Eliot’s The Waste Land and Bertolt Brecht’s “Vom armen B. B.”
Authors: Hühn Peter
Published: November 2017

Although lyric poetry is not a narrative genre in the strict sense, poems do employ narrative elements extensively. Due to the temporal condition of human existence, the temporality of living, acting and communicating, the sequence of the utterance in poems follows a temporal organization, consisting of changes of state. The lyric text can thus be conceived of as the hybrid interaction of narrative and poetic structures. Genre-specifically, narrative elements in poems tend to occur in covert or condensed forms, typically in the mental sphere. Since a narrative in order to be “tellable” requires a decisive, “eventful” turn, poems, too, tend to feature some kind of event, which constitutes their central “point”: some surprising shift in their sequential structure. Although the normal case of an event is a decisive change of state, there are also interesting examples where the non-occurrence of an (expected) event counts as eventful constituting the tellability of the story. That applies not only to narratives in fiction and drama (such as Beckett’s Waiting for Godot) but also to lyric poetry. ‒ After expounding the transgeneric application of concepts of narrativity and eventfulness to lyric poetry this article analyzes in detail two eminent modernist poems as significant cases where the non-occurrence of an eventful change constitutes an event in its own right (and thereby the point of the text): T. S. Eliot’s The Waste Land and Bertolt Brecht’s “Vom armen B. B.” (“Of poor B.B.”). The two poems are shown to differ significantly with respect to meaning and function of eventful uneventfulness: The absence of decisive changes is presented in The Waste Land as a deplorable failure of traditional values and forms of vital regeneration but in “Of poor B. B.” as a provocative rejection of conventional concepts and expectations.
How People Are Treated During Worship: Problems of an Implicit Liturgical Anthropology
Authors: Engemann Wilfried
Published: November 2017

Anthropological premises of pastors significantly influence people’s experiences in worship services. Pastors’ perceptions of people’s basic situation, their understanding of people in relation to freedom, love and self-love, sin and repentance, influence the liturgy and the sermon. The implicit anthropology of many services relates to the way they rebuke those present for being human and specifically declare everything that constitutes living as human beings to be a problem. That makes the process of communicating the Gospel appear unconvincing. What matters is to reformulate Christian anthropology in a coherent and contemporary form by communicating with other sciences which raise the question of being human in relation to freedom, dignity and love.
Analysis of the highway tunnels monitoring using an optical fiber implemented into primary lining
Authors: Fajkus Marcel , Nedoma Jan , Mec Pavel , Hrubesova Eva , Martinek Radek , Vasinek Vladimir
Published: November 2017

This article is focused on the analysis of the use of distributed fibre-optic technology for security monitoring of road tunnel and motorway tunnel structural load. The authors focused on the measurements of deformation utilizing Brillouin Time Domain Reflectometry (BOTDR). The principle is based on the measurement of stimulated Brillouin scattering. The article describes and analyses real measurements within a period of 5 months, which were carried out during the tunnelling and the whole process of building a new tunnel in Žilina, Slovakia. The performed experimental measurements were carried out using a standard optic telecommunication cable with water-absorbing aramid yarns and a jacket with a diameter of 4.2 mm. The contribution of this article lies in the introductory analysis of the implementation and use of the fibre-optic technology for security monitoring of road tunnel and motorway tunnel structural load.
Iron Metallurgy Slags as a Potential Source of Critical Elements - Nb, Ta and REE
Authors: Kasina Monika , Michalik Marek
Published: November 2017

The recovery of valuable metals from metallurgical slag disposals is a promising option to protect natural resources, limited due to technology development and increased consumption. The Ad-hoc Working Group on Defining Critical Raw Materials within the Raw Materials Supply Group has proposed a list of critical elements which have the greatest economic importance and meet the requirements of sustainable development in Europe. The goal of this study was to examine steelmaking- and blast-furnace slags from metallurgical processes to determine concentrations of elements of the greatest criticality for Poland, e.g. Nb, Ta and REE, and to discuss the viability of their recovery. Slag analyses indicate enrichment of REE relative to UCC, NASC and average chondrite compositions in blast-furnace slags and Nb and Ta in steelmaking slags. To make recovery of these critical elements reasonable and profitable, it is recommended that they be recovered together with other useful raw materials.
Crystalline phase evolution in nanostructured copper sulfide thin films prepared by spray pyrolysis method: the effect of annealing
Authors: Nazari Roshanak Rafiei , Taloobaghi Hoda Enayati , Eshghi Hosein
Published: November 2017

In this study, physical properties of copper sulfide thin films deposited on glass substrates by spray pyrolysis method at different temperatures (260 °C, 285 °C and 310 °C) were investigated. The influence of annealing time on the physical properties of grown layers was also studied. According to FESEM images, the sizes of the compact copper sulfide grains were varied from about 100 nm to 60 nm. Hall effect and resistivity measurements confirmed that all samples had p-type conductivity. The XRD patterns showed that, together with the dominant digenite phase (Cu1.8S) in all samples, the copper-rich phases also appeared as a result of increasing substrate temperature. The optical UV-Vis spectra analysis showed that due to increasing the substrate temperature, the band gap of the layers was reduced from about 2.4 eV to 2.0 eV. We found that as a result of annealing at 400 °C for 1.5 h in Ar atmosphere, the sample which was initially grown at 310 °C with the highest copper content, totally transformed into the polycrystalline monoclinic chalcocite phase (Cu2S) with 3D nanoporous architecture.
Holm Tetens on Panentheism: The Concept of Panentheism, Sin, and Special Divine Action
Authors: Göcke Benedikt Paul , Jaskolla Ludwig
Published: November 2017

We briefly clarify Tetens’s concept of God and argue that there are some problems regarding both the precise formulation of his panentheism as well as its implications for sin and special divine action.