bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diez pasos clave en el desarrollo de un programa de mentoría universitaria para estudiantes de nuevo ingreso
Authors: Casado-Muñoz Raquel , Lezcano-Barbero Fernando , Colomer-Feliu Jordi
Published: May 2015

Recibido 28 de mayo de 2014 • Corregido 3 de marzo de 2015 • Aceptado 27 de abril de 2015La mentoría o tutoría entre pares es una modalidad de orientación educativa que está creciendo en las universidades de todo el mundo. Dirigida a la integración del estudiantado durante el primer año de estudios universitarios, se basa en el apoyo y guía que un sujeto estudiante veterano ofrece a un compañero o compañera de nuevo ingreso. En España el proceso es reciente, comenzó hace algo más de una década pero cada curso cuenta con más experiencias. Este artículo, derivado de investigación, pretende identificar una serie de pasos e ideas clave para implementar un programa mentor. La síntesis de propuestas se nutre de tres fuentes: a) la experiencia y evaluación de la satisfacción de el estudiantado mentor y mentorizado en el Programa mentor de la Universidad de Burgos (n=805), por medio de un cuestionario ad-hoc (escala tipo Likert); b) la revisión de la mentoría en 35 universidades españolas, analizando las características del programa en cada universidad; y c) el contraste y adaptación al contexto universitario de la mentoría formal según Perrone (2003). Los resultados pueden ser especialmente útiles para aquellas universidades que deseen comenzar con mentorías y como reflexión y contraste para aquellas que cuenten con mayor experiencia. Encontramos que se debe prestar especial atención al incremento y mejora de la participación en la mentoría de estudiantes de nuevo ingreso y al seguimiento y evaluación de todo el proceso.
Posibilidades para el uso del modelo de aceptación de la tecnología (TAM) y de la teoría de los marcos tecnológicos para evaluar la aceptación de nuevas tecnologías para el aseguramiento de la calidad en la educación superior chilena
Authors: González-Bravo Luis , Valdivia-Peralta Maruzzella
Published: May 2015

Recibido 27 de mayo de 2014 • Corregido 8 de enero de 2015 • Aceptado 27 de abril de 2015El presente ensayo revisa la importancia de evaluar el grado de aceptación de nuevas tecnologías en las instituciones de educación superior en Chile, como un insumo para la gestión del aseguramiento de la calidad. En particular, se analizan los modelos de aceptación de la tecnología y de marcos tecnológicos, enfatizando los beneficios que traería su utilización en dicho ámbito. Comprender y facilitar los procesos de aceptación de nuevas tecnologías en la IES, identificando los elementos que la obstaculizan, permite mejorar la implementación de mecanismos de aseguramiento de la calidad y volver más eficiente y eficaz el proceso formativo.
Movilidad de mujeres académicas en puestos de decisión: El caso de la Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica
Authors: Fernández-Carvajal Doris , Sequeira-Rovira Paula
Published: May 2015

Recibido 26 de junio de 2014 • Corregido 28 de enero de 2015 • Aceptado 27 de abril de 2015El presente artículo se desprende de un trabajo de investigación denominado “Diagnóstico institucional: Relaciones de equidad entre mujeres y hombres en la Universidad Nacional”, realizado desde el Instituto de Estudios de la Mujer en el año 2011. Este estudio se propuso como objetivo “Analizar, desde una perspectiva de género, la posición y las condiciones socio-laborales de las personas funcionarias académicas de la Universidad Nacional, con el propósito de determinar la existencia de brechas de inequidad de género que limiten el pleno desarrollo de mujeres y hombres”. Para la realización de dicho trabajo se recurrió a la revisión de listados de personas electas en puestos de decisión desde los años de 1976 hasta mediados del 2009. Esta información fue suministrada por el Tribunal Universitario Electoral (TEUNA). También se hicieron entrevistas a mujeres que, por primera vez, habían llegado a ocupar algún puesto de los de mayor rango dentro de la Universidad y que aún se encontraban laborando dentro de la Institución. Esos puestos son: rectoría, decanatura y dirección. Una vez transcritas las entrevistas, se procedió a la elaboración de las categorías de análisis. Dentro de los principales hallazgos se pueden mencionar, por un lado, el aumento paulatino de presencia de mujeres en los puestos antes indicados. Recién fundada la Universidad, la mayor parte de los cargos de decanatura eran ocupados por hombres, conforme se avanza en el tiempo, en la década que inicia en el año 2000, se logra observar paridad con un número igual de mujeres y hombres en ese estamento. En los puestos de dirección, en aquellas facultades con importantes concentraciones de hombres académicos como son las de Ciencias Sociales, Ciencias de la Tierra y el Mar y Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, es más escasa la presencia de mujeres en estos puestos. Finalmente, las mujeres hicieron una valoración positiva de su experiencia, pues les ayudó a crecer y a adquirir confianza y seguridad personal y profesional. De igual manera resaltaron una serie de logros y aportes para sus respectivas unidades académicas.
Desafíos de la educación para la paz hacia la construcción de una cultura de paz
Authors: Cerdas-Agüero Evelyn
Published: May 2015

Recibido 19 de mayo de 2014 • Corregido 19 de febrero de 2015 • Aceptado 27 de abril de 2015El presente trabajo aborda el tema de la educación para la paz y los desafíos que esta enfrenta, como lo son las manifestaciones de la violencia, para construir una cultura de paz. El objetivo es generar una reflexión acerca de los desafíos a los que se enfrenta la educación para la paz dirigida a la construcción de una cultura de paz en América Latina. Se plantea la educación para la paz como un proceso pedagógico que posibilita espacios de aprendizaje para desaprender la violencia y vivenciar la paz en las relaciones humanas. El trabajo permite concluir que las diversas manifestaciones de la violencia: estructural, directa y cultural, que afectan a la niñez, a las mujeres y a la juventud de la región latinoamericana condicionan la realización de sus derechos humanos y la construcción de una cultura de paz. Por lo tanto, se hace necesario un proceso de transformación, inicialmente a nivel individual, para renovar la esperanza, reconocer la autonomía, construir para la vida, pensar en la ternura y ser personas solidarias.
Early Psychosocial Exposures, Hair Cortisol Levels, and Disease Risk
Authors: Karlén Jerker , Ludvigsson Johnny , Hedmark Max , Faresjö Åshild , Theodorsson Elvar , Faresjö Tomas
Published: May 2015

BACKGROUND:

Early psychosocial exposures are increasingly recognized as being crucial to health throughout life. A possible mechanism could be physiologic dysregulation due to stress. Cortisol in hair is a new biomarker assessing long-term hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity. The objective was to investigate whether early-life adverse psychosocial circumstances influence infant cortisol levels in hair and health outcomes in children prospectively until age 10.

METHODS:

A cohort study in the general community using a questionnaire covering 11 psychosocial items in the family during pregnancy and the cumulative incidence of diagnoses until age 10 years in 1876 children. Cortisol levels in hair were measured by using a radioimmunoassay in those with sufficient hair samples at age 1, yielding a subsample of n = 209.

RESULTS:

Children with added psychosocial exposures had higher infant cortisol levels in hair (B = 0.40, P < .0001, adjusted for gender and size for gestational age) in a cumulative manner and were significantly more often affected by 12 of the 14 most common childhood diseases, with a general pattern of increasing odds ratios.

CONCLUSIONS:

The findings support the model of physiologic dysregulation as a plausible mechanism by which the duration and number of early detrimental psychosocial exposures determine health outcomes. The model indicates that the multiplicity of adversities should be targeted in future interventions and could help to identify children who are at high risk of poor health. Furthermore, given the prolonged nature of exposure to a stressful social environment, the novel biomarker of cortisol in hair could be of major importance.
Annual Summary of Vital Statistics: 2012–2013
Authors: Osterman Michelle J.K. , Kochanek Kenneth D. , MacDorman Marian F. , Strobino Donna M. , Guyer Bernard
Published: May 2015

The number of births in the United States declined by 1% between 2012 and 2013, to a total of 3 932 181. The general fertility rate also declined 1% to 62.5 births per 1000 women, the lowest rate ever reported. The total fertility rate was down by 1% in 2013 (to 1857.5 births per 1000 women). The teenage birth rate fell to another historic low in 2013, 26.5 births per 1000 women. Birth rates also declined for women 20 to 29 years, but the rates rose for women 30 to 39 and were unchanged for women 40 to 44. The percentage of all births that were to unmarried women declined slightly to 40.6% in 2013, from 40.7% in 2012. In 2013, the cesarean delivery rate declined to 32.7% from 32.8% for 2012. The preterm birth rate declined for the seventh straight year in 2013 to 11.39%; the low birth weight (LBW) rate was essentially unchanged at 8.02%. The infant mortality rate was 5.96 infant deaths per 1000 live births in 2013, down 13% from 2005 (6.86). The age-adjusted death rate for 2013 was 7.3 deaths per 1000 population, unchanged from 2012. Crude death rates for children aged 1 to 19 years declined to 24.0 per 100 000 population in 2013, from 24.8 in 2012. Unintentional injuries and suicide were, respectively, the first and second leading causes of death in this age group. These 2 causes of death jointly accounted for 45.7% of all deaths to children and adolescents in 2013.
Treatment of Ankyloglossia and Breastfeeding Outcomes: A Systematic Review
Authors: Francis David O. , Krishnaswami Shanthi , McPheeters Melissa
Published: May 2015

OBJECTIVE:

Ankyloglossia is a congenital condition characterized by an abnormally short, thickened, or tight lingual frenulum that restricts tongue mobility. The objective of this study was to systematically review literature on surgical and nonsurgical treatments for infants with ankyloglossia.

METHODS:

Medline, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Embase were searched up to August 2014. Two reviewers independently assessed studies against predetermined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Two reviewers independently extracted data regarding participant and intervention characteristics and outcomes and assigned quality and strength-of-evidence ratings.

RESULTS:

Twenty-nine studies reported breastfeeding effectiveness outcomes (5 randomized controlled trials [RCTs], 1 retrospective cohort, and 23 case series). Four RCTs reported improvements in breastfeeding efficacy by using either maternally reported or observer ratings, whereas 2 RCTs found no improvement with observer ratings. Although mothers consistently reported improved effectiveness after frenotomy, outcome measures were heterogeneous and short-term. Based on current literature, the strength of the evidence (confidence in the estimate of effect) for this issue is low. We included comparative studies published in English. The evidence base is limited, consisting of small studies, short-term outcomes, and little information to characterize participants adequately. No studies addressed nonsurgical interventions, longer-term breastfeeding or growth outcomes, or surgical intervention compared with other approaches to improve breastfeeding, such as lactation consultation.

CONCLUSIONS:

A small body of evidence suggests that frenotomy may be associated with mother-reported improvements in breastfeeding, and potentially in nipple pain, but with small, short-term studies with inconsistent methodology, strength of the evidence is low to insufficient.
Trends in changes of elite sportswomen’ technique, specializing in 20 km race walk, considering rising of their sports results
Authors: Sovenko S.P. , Lytvynchuk T.V. , Budkevich G.B.
Published: May 2015

Purpose: on the base of bio-mechanical characteristics’ analysis determination of trends in technique’s changes of elite sportswomen, specializing in 20 kilometers’ race walk, with rising of their sport results. Material: the research covered 13 elite sportswomen, specializing in 20 kilometers’ race walk (396 measurements). Results: bio-mechanical characteristics of the best 20 kilometers’ race walk sportswomen at Ukrainian championships 2014-2015 have been elucidated. Comparative analysis of elite sportswomen, having different sport results, has been conducted. Conclusions: improvement of sportsmanship to world level (from 1:38:37 to 1:31:35) takes place at the account of increasing of step length to 1.10 m (S = 0,01); shortening of phase of single support X average = 0.26 sec.; S = 0.01) owing to reduction of shock absorption time to 0.08 sec.
Simulation of junior pupils’ training of ball throsing to vertivcal target
Authors: Chernenko S.O.
Published: May 2015

Purpose: determination of motor skills’ peculiarities of junior pupils. Material: the research covered 172 pupils. Results: effectiveness of training of 1-4 forms’ pupils to “ball throw to verticat target” is positively influenced by increasing of starts quantity up to 12, quantity of repetitions in one start - up to 3 with rest interval of 60 sec. For 1st form pupils quantity of repetitions in one start was accentuated; for 2nd form pupils - reduction of rest interval up to 60 sec.; for 3rd form - quantity of starts and quantity of repetitions in one start were accentuated and for 4th form pupils - interaction of quantity of starts and repetitions in one start. Conclusions: experiment permitted to study multi-factor structure of physical training process of 1st-4th forms pupils, to specify optimal correlations of quantity of starts, quantity of repetitions in one start and rest interval in training to “ball throw to target” at physical culture lessons.
First record of Ceratium furcoides (Dinophyta), an invasive species, in a temporary high-altitude lake in the Iron Quadrangle (MG, Southeast Brazil)
Authors: Moreira RA. , Rocha O. , Santos RM. , Laudares-Silva R. , Dias ES. , Eskinazi-Sant’Anna EM.
Published: May 2015

Dinoflagellates of the genus Ceratium are generally marine organisms, but rare occurrences in freshwater have been observed in Brazil. In this paper we are recording for the first time the presence of Ceratium furcoides, an invasive species, in a shallow, natural intermittent pool formed at a high-altitude at the southern end of the Iron Quadrangle, an iron-mining district of Minas Gerais State (Southeast Brazil). Samples were collected in October and November of 2010 (rainy period). The population density of this organism observed in Lagoa Seca (“Dry Pool”) was very low, at most 4 ind L–1. Mountain lakes are extremely vulnerable to atmospheric deposition of organisms, making them valuable witnesses both of the many forms of impact arising from human activities and of the extended global connections that facilitate the dispersion and introduction of new species over great distances. Studies on the population dynamics of C. furcoides in natural tropical systems are still rare and very recent to the brazilian scenario and hence the monitoring of its dynamics and the potential impact on aquatic communities of its becoming established are essential to an understanding of the process of bioinvasion by this species.
A hencidai Mondró-halom, a löszgyep-vegetáció őrzője
Authors: Deák Balázs , Török Péter , Tóthmérész Béla , Valkó Orsolya
Published: May 2015

Intenzív művelésű mezőgazdasági területeken a természetes gyepvegetációnak gyakran csupán töredékei maradtak meg, rendszerint olyan helyeken, amelyek a mezőgazdasági művelésre alkalmatlannak bizonyultak. Alföldi körülmények között ilyen területek a kunhalmok, amelyek amellett, hogy kiemelkedő kulturális és tájképi értékekkel bírnak, számos ritka növény- és állatfajnak nyújtanak menedéket. Cikkünkben a hencidai Mondró-halom flóráját mutatjuk be. A halmot borító fajgazdag löszgyepben összesen 74 edényes növényfajt találtunk. A halmon számos, a Bihari-síkon ritka növényfaj fordul elő, mint például az Inula germanica, Ranunculus illyricus és a Rosa gallica. A halom különböző kitettségű meredek lejtőin kialakult változatos mikro-élőhelyek hozzájárulnak a halom fajgazdagságának kialakításához és fenntartásához. Ennek is köszönhető, hogy a halmon az erdősztyeppi elemek mellett a legtöbb a Kárpát-medencében előforduló sztyeppei flóraelem-típus (kontinentális, pontusz–szubmediterrán, pontuszi, pontusz–pannon és turáni) megtalálható.
Kiegészítések a Soproni-hegység mohaflórájához II.
Authors: Szűcs Péter , Schmidt Dávid , Csiszár Ágnes
Published: May 2015

Jelen közlemény a szerzők 2009–2014 között, a Soproni-hegység hazai oldalán végzett bryoflorisztikai vizsgálatainak eredményeit adja közre. A szerzők a tájegységre összesen 22 új taxont azonosítottak: Diplophyllum albicans, Scapania lingulata, Scapania scandica, Bryoerythrophyllum recurvirostrum, Ctenidium molluscum, Didymodon vinealis, Ditrichum cylindricum, Ditrichum pusillum, Fissidens dubius, Fissidens exilis, Homalothecium sericeum, Leucobryum juniperoideum, Neckera crispa, Orthotrichum lyellii, Orthotrichum obtusifolium, Orthotrichum pallens, Orthotrichum patens, Orthotrichum stramineum, Orthotrichum striatum, Rhodobryum ontariense, Thamnobryum alopecurum, Tortella tortuosa, Tortula virescens. A Diplophyllum albicans és a Mnium thomsonii hazai viszonylatban aktuálisan csak a Soproni-hegységből ismert.
Internet as Data Source in the Istat Survey on ICT in Enterprises
Authors: Barcaroli Guilio , Nurra Alessandra , Salamone Sergio , Scannapieco Monica , Scarnò Marco , Summa Donato
Published: May 2015

The Istat sampling survey on ICT in enterprises aims at producing information onthe use of ICT and in particular on the use of Internet by Italian enterprises for various purposes (e-commerce, e-recruitment, advertisement, e-tendering, e-procurement, egovernment). To such a scope, data are collected by means of the traditional instrument of the questionnaire. Istat began to explore the possibility to use web scraping techniques, associated, in the estimation phase, to text and data mining algorithms, with the aim to replace traditional instruments of data collection and estimation, or to combine them in an integrated approach. The 8,600 websites, indicated by the 19,000 enterprises responding to ICT survey of year 2013, have been scraped and the acquired texts have been processed in order to try to reproduce the same information collected via questionnaire. Preliminary results are encouraging, showing in some cases a satisfactory predictive capability of fittedmodels (mainly those obtained by using the Naive Bayes algorithm). Also the method known as Content Analysis has been applied, and its results compared to those obtained with classical learners. In order to improve the overall performance, an advanced system for scraping and mining is being adopted, based on the open source Apache suite Nutch-Solr-Lucene. On the basis of the nal results of this test, an integrated system harnessing both survey data and data collected from Internet to produce the required estimates will be implemented, based on systematic scraping of the near 100,000 websites related to the whole population of Italian enterprises with 10 persons employed and more, operating in industry and services. This new approach, based on Internet as Data source (IaD), is characterized by advantages and drawbacks that need to be carefully analysed.
The ESCB Quality Framework for European Statistics
Authors: Schubert Aurel , Ahsbahs Catherine
Published: May 2015

The aim of the paper is to provide a general presentation of the ESCB statistics quality framework. The first part of the paper is dedicated to the “Public commitment on European statistics by the ESCB”[1]and presents some of the similarities and differences of the public commitment relative to the main existing frameworks (e.g. the United Nations Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics and the IMF Data Quality Assessment Framework). It also provides some information on the process followed by the ESCB to converge with the European Statistics Code of Practice. In the second part, the paper presents the main quality assurance procedures put in place by the ESCB and applied to the whole statistical production chain (including the supporting IT infrastructure).[1]     See http://www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/html/pcstats.en.html
Measurement of Gas Diffusivity in Heavy Oils and Bitumens by Use of Pressure-Decay Test and Establishment of Minimum Time Criteria for Experiments
Authors: Ratnakar Ram R. , Dindoruk Birol
Published: May 2015

Molecular diffusion plays a very important role in various reservoir processes, especially in the oil-recovery processes where convective forces are not dominant or when direct frontal contact and mixing are not possible. For example, in heavy-oil and bitumen recovery, injected light hydrocarbons can diffuse into the oil beyond the potential fronts and/or convective zones and promote the effectiveness of the displacement process, reducing in-situ viscosities and in turn enhancing the oil recovery.

Similarly, diffusive mixing can also be a dominant mechanism in the gas-redissolution process, even in lighter-hydrocarbon systems. For example, it controls how much gas will be dissolved in oil and how long it will take to dissolve, in the absence of mechanical/convective mixing, as in the case of reservoir repressurization. The extent of dissolution of a gas into oil is governed by its solubility, but the rate is controlled by both molecular diffusivity and solubility. Thus, accurate determination of these parameters is essential to design and understand displacement processes.

Despite the significance of diffusion in various aspects of oil recovery, there are very few experimental studies available in the literature addressing the diffusion of gas in heavy oils. Experimental work is most commonly based on the pressure-decay concept. However, the parameter inversion in these tests relies on an error-function solution that neglects the transient processes at the gas/oil interface and assumes constant-saturation concentration. This assumption is not appropriate when decay in pressure is large because pressure in the gas cap changes continuously as gas is dissolved in the oil, and hence the gas solubility varies with time. One of the major issues related to this experimental process is that it takes a long time (order of several days to several months) to achieve steady-state (converged) solution to determine diffusivity.

In this work, we have

Experimentally investigated the diffusion of methane in heavy oils as well as light oils by use of a pressure-decay test Captured properly the variation in gas concentration in oil at the gas/oil interface with time by expressing gas solubility in terms of Henry's constant in the mathematical model Developed the exact solution of the 1D pressure-decay (transient-diffusion) model with pressure-dependent gas/oil-interface concentration and shown that after a long time, pressure decays exponentially in time with an exponent that depends on diffusivity as well as solubility Presented the inversion technique to determine the diffusivity and other parameters from late-transient-pressure data, and shown the convergence in their estimates (Most importantly) developed a cutoff criterion permitting us to stop the experiments while still being able to extract the converged diffusivity values (this is important in situations when the experiment is stopped prematurely for technical or other reasons)
Theories and Applications of Pulsed-Jet Drilling With Mechanical Specific Energy
Authors: Minghui Wei , Gensheng Li , Huaizhong Shi , Shuaishuai Shi , Zhaokun Li , Yi Zhang
Published: May 2015

Mechanical specific energy (MSE) is the amount of energy required to destroy a unit volume of rock. The main work of this study is to bring the hydraulic energy of a pulsed jet into an MSE model and further analyze the mechanism of improving the rate of penetration (ROP) for pulsed-jet drilling on the basis of the model. Laboratory experiments are used to obtain the relationship of bit hydraulic horsepower between pulsed jet and continuous jet, and then the MSE model of pulsed-jet drilling is established. According to the MSE theory, the major mechanisms of improving ROP in pulsed-jet drilling are changing the breaking strength of rock and improvement of downhole-cuttings-cleaning efficiency. Field tests and data presented in this study showed that this model could be used to evaluate drilling efficiency and identify abnormal conditions for pulsed-jet drilling. All tests were operated with similar parameters and on the same drilled formation. The field results illuminate that pulsed-jet drilling has higher drilling efficiency compared with conventional drilling. Moreover, the specific patterns for abnormal conditions can be detected in real time in the process of pulsed-jet drilling. This model is less ambiguous as well as robust. Therefore, it could provide theoretical support for the wide application of pulsed-jet drilling.
Evaluation of Reference Genes for RT‐qPCR Normalization in Cowpea under Drought Stress during Biological Nitrogen Fixation
Authors: Da Silva Helder Anderson P. , Nardeli Sarah Muniz , Alves‐Ferreira Marcio , Simões‐Araújo Jean Luiz
Published: May 2015

Reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) has emerged as an important technique for gene‐expression analysis. However, for accurate and reliable results, the data normalization using appropriated reference genes is critical, and a systematic validation of reference genes in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp), a high stress‐tolerant leguminous, has not been performed. To provide suitable reference genes in this strategic leguminous species under drought stress, we evaluated the expression stability of eight candidate genes using geNorm and NormFinder algorithms. The analyses were performed in nodules and leaves separately (organ‐specific analysis) or grouping the two organs (global analysis). Our results showed VuPp2A and VuUbq28 as the best reference genes—by both algorithms—for global analysis. For organ‐specific analyses, geNorm identified VuPp2A/VuYls8 as the most stable genes for nodules and NormFinder identified VuPolyP/VuPp2A as the most stable ones for leaves. Moreover, VuUbq28 was always identified among the top three genes. The proposed reference genes were validated by two stress‐responsive genes (VusHsp17.7 and VuNced1). In conclusion, VuPp2A was the best reference gene in all analyses, followed by VuUbq28, VuYls8, and VuPolyP as the most stable genes for RT‐qPCR data normalization in cowpea under drought stress. These genes could be a good starting point for reference‐gene validation in other leguminous species under stress and BNF conditions.
The impact of birth weight and gestational age on the management of juvenile essential hypertension
Authors: Hogas Mihai , Serban Dragomir , Serban Lacramioara , Hogas Simona , Ciobica Alin , Timofte Daniel , Moraru Evelina
Published: May 2015

Essential hypertension in children is a very important biological aspect in
child pathology, caused by the synergic action of multiple risk factors, with
an increasing prevalence. Since there is not much knowledge about juvenile
essential hypertension in childhood, in this paper we will clarify the
existing data about this pathology and its management, mainly by referring to
the correlations during different stages. We found significant correlations
between hypertension and the individual values of birth weight and
gestational age, which suggest that there is an important relationship
between birth weight and gestational age, as important biological markers vs.
the different stages of essential hypertension.
Contemporary trends in global foreign direct investment flows
Authors: Stojadinovic-Jovanovic Sandra
Published: May 2015

It is not necessary to explain the importance of foreign direct investment,
particularly in less developed countries, bearing in mind the numerous
theoretical and empirical papers that confirm their importance and effects
that the inflow of these investments in the country can make. The movement of
these investments on the global level is characterized by significant
changes, especially in recent years, in their volume, geographically
distribution as well as in the conditions in which they take place -
conditions of instability and crisis interruptions, growing regional and
interregional integration and altered foreign direct investment policies.
Trends in their movements are mirrored in individual countries, stressing on
the need for their continuous monitoring and detailed analysis. Therefore the
paper will identified the key trends that characterize the contemporary
global flows of foreign direct investments.
Impact of global economic crisis on Serbia’s economic development
Authors: Petrovic Pero , Vesic Dobrica
Published: May 2015

The global economic crisis strongly affects economic slowdown in the world
due to the effects of reduced demand in developed economies. The fall in
demand in the European market had a negative impact on Serbia?s foreign trade
and economic growth. The reduction in export demand, reduction of industrial
production, the company in default, wage cuts and rising unemployment are the
main features of the crisis that has engulfed Serbia. Serbia needs structural
reforms at all levels in order to increase the competitiveness of the
economy, which is now at a low level. In the last decade Serbia?s economic
development based on the integration in European and global markets and
foreign direct investment. An additional impact of crisis in Serbia was a
significant shortage of foreign capital. The decline and fall of the
investment trust in the banking system, manifested by withdrawal of foreign
funds from the financial system and reduce foreign exchange liquidity. The
recovery of Serbian economy can be expected by introduction of new reforms,
economic measures. In addition to reducing the fiscal deficit and savings, it
is expected a creation of favorable business environment for investment and
business. Political and economic stability is the basis for attracting
foreign direct investment.
Quantitative immunohistochemical method for detection of wheat protein in model sausage
Authors: Řezáčová Lukášková Zuzana , Pospiech Matěj , Tremlová Bohuslava , Renčová Eva , Petrášová Michaela
Published: May 2015

Since gluten can induce coeliac symptoms in hypersensitive consumers with coeliac disease, it is necessary to label foodstuffs containing it. In order to label foodstuffs, it is essential to find reliable methods to accurately determine the amount of wheat protein in food. The objective of this study was to compare the quantitative detection of wheat protein in model sausages by ELISA and immunohistochemical methods. Immunohistochemistry was combined with stereology to achieve quantitative results. High correlation between addition of wheat protein and compared methods was confirmed. For ELISA method the determined values were r = 0.98, P < 0.01; for stereologythe determined values were r = 0.94, P < 0.01. Although ELISA is an accredited method, it was not reliable, unlike immunohistochemical methods (stereology SD = 3.1).
Influence of Discontinuous Precipitation on the Creep Behavior of a β-Solidified γ-TiAl Based Alloy
Authors: Kastenhuber M. , Gaitzenauer A. , Hawranek G. , Krajnc B. , Clemens H. , Mayer S.
Published: May 2015

Owing to their excellent high temperature properties, intermetallic γ-TiAl based alloys are potentially suitable materials for applications in the aviation and automotive industry. In order to adjust a fine lamellar microstructure with optimum properties, the forging process is followed by a multi-stage heat treatment. During the final annealing process, a discontinuous precipitation reaction, a so-called cellular reaction, may occur which decomposes the fine lamellae in the α2/γ colonies. A stable microstructure is a crucial factor in the development of highly creep resistant alloys. In the scope of this work, various heat treatments were performed in order to adjust microstructures with a varying proportion of discontinuous precipitation. Furthermore, creep tests were performed at 800 °C and 150 MPa. Scanning electron microscopy in the back-scattered electron mode was used to characterize the microstructure's morphology. The respective phase fractions were determined by X-ray diffractometry. It could be shown that the creep resistance decreases with an increasing amount of discontinuous precipitation.
Medical licensing examination (uigwa) and the world of the physician officers (uigwan) in Korea’s Joseon Dynasty
Authors: Lee Nam Hee
Published: May 2015

Physicians for ordinary people in Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) do not need to pass national medical licensing examination. They had done their job after enough period of apprenticeship. Only physician officers were licensed as technical civil servants. These physician officers were middle class, located socially between the nobility and the commoner. They had to pass a national licensing examination to be considered for high-ranking physician officers, that is, those at the rank above the 6th level out of a total of 9 ranks, where the first rank was highest. Royal physicians also had to pass this examination before accepting responsibility for the King’s healthcare. This article aims to describe the world of Physician officers during the Joseon Dynasty. Physician officers enjoyed considerable social status because they dealt with matters of life and death. Owing to the professional nature of their fields and a strong sense of group identity they came to compose a distinct social class. The physician officers’ world was marked by strong group allegiances based on shared professional knowledge; the use of marriage to gain and maintain social status; and the establishment of hereditary technical posts within the medical profession that were handed down from one generation to the next. The medical licensing examination persisted until 1894 when the civil service examination agency, of which it was part, was abolished. Until that time, the testing agency, the number of candidates who were accepted, two-step test procedures, and the method of test item selection were maintained and enforced. These aspects of the test could be considered characteristic of the medical licensing examination.
Genomic Regions for Embryo Size and Early Vigour in Multiple Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Populations
Authors: Moore Chris , Rebetzke Greg
Published: May 2015

Greater early vigour has potential for increasing biomass and grain yields of wheat crops in Mediterranean-type environments. Embryo size is an important determinant of early vigour in barley and likely to contribute to greater vigour in wheat. Little is known of the underlying genetic control for embryo size, or its genetic association with early vigour in wheat. Over 150 doubled-haploid lines in each of three unrelated wheat populations varying for embryo size and early vigour were phenotyped across multiple controlled environments. The Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) mapping was then undertaken to understand genetic control and chromosomal location of these characteristics. Genotypic variance was large and repeatable for embryo and leaf size (width and length) but not specific leaf area or coleoptile tiller size. Genetic correlations for embryo size with leaf width and area were moderate to strong in size while repeatabilities for embryo size and early vigour were high on a line-mean basis. Multiple genomic regions were identified of commonly small genetic effect for each trait with many of these regions being common across populations. Further, collocation of regions for many traits inferred a common genetic basis for many of these traits. Chromosomes 1B, 5B, 7A and 7D, and the Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b-containing chromosomes 4B and 4D contained QTL for embryo size and leaf width. These studies indicate that while early vigour is a genetically complex trait, the selection of larger embryo progeny can be readily achieved in a wheat breeding program targeting development of high vigour lines.
RNA Binding Proteins that Control Human Papillomavirus Gene Expression
Authors: Kajitani Naoko , Schwartz Stefan
Published: May 2015

The human papillomavirus (HPV) life cycle is strictly linked to the differentiation program of the infected mucosal epithelial cell. In the basal and lower levels of the epithelium, early genes coding for pro-mitotic proteins and viral replication factors are expressed, while terminal cell differentiation is required for activation of late gene expression and production of viral particles at the very top of the epithelium. Such productive infections are normally cleared within 18–24 months. In rare cases, the HPV infection is stuck in the early stage of the infection. Such infections may give rise to cervical lesions that can progress to cancer, primarily cancer of the uterine cervix. Since cancer progression is strictly linked to HPV gene expression, it is of interest to understand how HPV gene expression is regulated. Cis-acting HPV RNA elements and cellular RNA-binding proteins control HPV mRNA splicing and polyadenylation. These interactions are believed to play a particularly important role in the switch from early to late gene expression, thereby contributing to the pathogenesis of HPV. Indeed, it has been shown that the levels of various RNA binding proteins change in response to differentiation and in response to HPV induced cervical lesions and cancer. Here we have compiled published data on RNA binding proteins involved in the regulation of HPV gene expression.
Conceptual Inadequacy of the Shore and Johnson Axioms for Wide Classes of Complex Systems
Authors: Tsallis Constantino
Published: May 2015

It is by now well known that the Boltzmann-Gibbs-von Neumann-Shannon logarithmic entropic functional (\(S_{BG}\)) is inadequate for wide classes of strongly correlated systems: see for instance the 2001 Brukner and Zeilinger's {\it Conceptual inadequacy of the Shannon information in quantum measurements}, among many other systems exhibiting various forms of complexity. On the other hand, the Shannon and Khinchin axioms uniquely mandate the BG form \(S_{BG}=-k\sum_i p_i \ln p_i\); the Shore and Johnson axioms follow the same path. Many natural, artificial and social systems have been satisfactorily approached with nonadditive entropies such as the \(S_q=k \frac{1-\sum_i p_i^q}{q-1}\) one (\(q \in {\cal R}; \,S_1=S_{BG}\)), basis of nonextensive statistical mechanics. Consistently, the Shannon 1948 and Khinchine 1953 uniqueness theorems have already been generalized in the literature, by Santos 1997 and Abe 2000 respectively, in order to uniquely mandate \(S_q\). We argue here that the same remains to be done with the Shore and Johnson 1980 axioms. We arrive to this conclusion by analyzing specific classes of strongly correlated complex systems that await such generalization.
Using a Cellular Automata-Markov Model to Reconstruct Spatial Land-Use Patterns in Zhenlai County, Northeast China
Authors: Yang Yuanyuan , Zhang Shuwen , Yang Jiuchun , Xing Xiaoshi , Wang Dongyan
Published: May 2015

Decadal to centennial land use and land cover change has been consistently singled out as a key element and an important driver of global environmental change, playing an essential role in balancing energy use. Understanding long-term human-environment interactions requires historical reconstruction of past land use and land cover changes. Most of the existing historical reconstructions have insufficient spatial and thematic detail and do not consider various land change types. In this context, this paper explored the possibility of using a cellular automata-Markov model in 90 m × 90 m spatial resolution to reconstruct historical land use in the 1930s in Zhenlai County, China. Then the three-map comparison methodology was employed to assess the predictive accuracy of the transition modeling. The model could produce backward projections by analyzing land use changes in recent decades, assuming that the present land use pattern is dynamically dependent on the historical one. The reconstruction results indicated that in the 1930s most of the study area was occupied by grasslands, followed by wetlands and arable land, while other land categories occupied relatively small areas. Analysis of the three-map comparison illustrated that the major differences among the three maps have less to do with the simulation model and more to do with the inconsistencies among the land categories during the study period. Different information provided by topographic maps and remote sensing images must be recognized.
Variations in Label Information and Nicotine Levels in Electronic Cigarette Refill Liquids in South Korea: Regulation Challenges
Authors: Kim Sungroul , Goniewicz Maciej , Yu Sol , Kim Bokyeong , Gupta Ribhav
Published: May 2015

Background: In South Korea, the consumption of liquid nicotine used in electronic cigarettes has dramatically increased from 4310 L in 2012 to 7220 L in 2013. This study aimed to examine the level of heterogeneity of contents of the labels and discrepancy of the nicotine content between that indicated on the label and the actual values for electronic cigarette liquid refill products in South Korea. Methods: We purchased 32 electronic cigarette liquid refill products (17 Korean domestic, 15 imported ones) and one pure nicotine product at six different electronic cigarette retail stores in Seoul between May and June 2014. The actual nicotine concentrations of each product were measured by a blinded analyst at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA. Results: Three out of 15 imported liquid refill products provided manufacturing dates, while expiration dates were available on eight products. The range of nicotine concentration was from “not detected” to 17.5 mg/mL. Labeling discrepancies of the concentrations ranged from −32.2% to 3.3% among electronic cigarette liquid refill products. The highest concentration (150.3 ± 7.9 mg/mL) was found in a sample labeled as “pure nicotine”. Conclusions: There is no standardization of labelling among electronic cigarette liquids sampled from retail stores and the labels did not accurately reflect the content. One product labeled “pure nicotine” raises concerns, since it may be poisonous to consumers, especially to children. This study revealed the urgent need for the development of product regulations in South Korea.
Ultrasound Tissue Characterization of Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Plaque
Authors: Picano Eugenio , Paterni Marco
Published: May 2015

A thrombotic occlusion of the vessel fed by ruptured coronary atherosclerotic plaque may result in unstable angina, myocardial infarction or death, whereas embolization from a plaque in carotid arteries may result in transient ischemic attack or stroke. The atherosclerotic plaque prone to such clinical events is termed high-risk or vulnerable plaque, and its identification in humans before it becomes symptomatic has been elusive to date. Ultrasonic tissue characterization of the atherosclerotic plaque is possible with different techniques—such as vascular, transesophageal, and intravascular ultrasound—on a variety of arterial segments, including carotid, aorta, and coronary districts. The image analysis can be based on visual, video-densitometric or radiofrequency methods and identifies three distinct textural patterns: hypo-echoic (corresponding to lipid- and hemorrhage-rich plaque), iso- or moderately hyper-echoic (fibrotic or fibro-fatty plaque), and markedly hyperechoic with shadowing (calcific plaque). Hypoechoic or dishomogeneous plaques, with spotty microcalcification and large plaque burden, with plaque neovascularization and surface irregularities by contrast-enhanced ultrasound, are more prone to clinical complications than hyperechoic, extensively calcified, homogeneous plaques with limited plaque burden, smooth luminal plaque surface and absence of neovascularization. Plaque ultrasound morphology is important, along with plaque geometry, in determining the atherosclerotic prognostic burden in the individual patient. New quantitative methods beyond backscatter (to include speed of sound, attenuation, strain, temperature, and high order statistics) are under development to evaluate vascular tissues. Although not yet ready for widespread clinical use, tissue characterization is listed by the American Society of Echocardiography roadmap to 2020 as one of the most promising fields of application in cardiovascular ultrasound imaging, offering unique opportunities for the early detection and treatment of atherosclerotic disease.
The Heart Protection Effect of Alcalase Potato Protein Hydrolysate Is through IGF1R-PI3K-Akt Compensatory Reactivation in Aging Rats on High Fat Diets
Authors: Hu Wei-Syun , Ting Wei-Jen , Chiang Wen-Dee , Pai Peiying , Yeh Yu-Lan , Chang Chung-Ho , Lin Wan-Teng , Huang Chih-Yang
Published: May 2015

The prevalence of obesity is high in older adults. Alcalase potato protein hydrolysate (APPH), a nutraceutical food, might have greater benefits and be more economical than hypolipidemic drugs. In this study, serum lipid profiles and heart protective effects were evaluated in high fat diet (HFD) induced hyperlipidemia in aging rats treated with APPH (15, 45 and 75 mg/kg/day) and probucol (500 mg/kg/day). APPH treatments reduced serum triacylglycerol (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels to the normal levels expressed in the control group. Additionally, the IGF1R-PI3K-Akt survival pathway was reactivated, and Fas-FADD (Fas-associated death domain) induced apoptosis was inhibited by APPH treatments (15 and 45 mg/kg/day) in HFD aging rat hearts. APPH (75 mg/kg/day) rather than probucol (500 mg/kg/day) treatment could reduce serum lipids without affecting HDL expression. The heart protective effect of APPH in aging rats with hyperlipidemia was through lowering serum lipids and enhancing the activation of the compensatory IGF1R-PI3K-Akt survival pathway.
Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 1,4-Disubstituted-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline Compounds as New Tubulin Polymerization Inhibitors
Authors: Zhang Ling , Song Yunlong , Huang Jingjing , Liu Jia , Zhu Wenwen , Zhou Youjun , Lv Jiaguo , Zheng Canhui , Zhu Ju
Published: May 2015

A series of 1,4-disubstituted-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline derivatives designed as tubulin polymerization inhibitors were synthesized. Their cytotoxic activities against the CEM leukemia cell line were evaluated. Most of them displayed moderate cytotoxic activities, and compounds 21 and 32 showed good activities with IC50 of 4.10 and 0.64 μM, respectively. The most potent compound 32 was further confirmed to be able to inhibit tubulin polymerization, and its hypothetical binding mode with tubulin was obtained by molecular docking.