bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing the Reach of Health Care Through Telemedicine
Authors: Bali Surya
Published: June 2017

Healthcare sector is now using telemedicine solutions to increase the reach of its services to population. Target areas are highly sparsely distributed devoid of basic amenities which makes the job of Governments difficult. Further people don't have enough disposable income to travel long distances and take preventive health care from urban areas. Problems are uniformly the same across the developing countries. The mindboggling developments in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) particularly the web based technologies have opened up exciting new possibilities for health care across the world. These developments have evoked significant policy response in developing countries where the quality of health care is poor, resources are scarce and demands have to be immediately met. Telemedicine is gradually coming up as a viable policy option for the Governments in developing countries. This chapter gives an account of the telemedicine initiatives taken in India, describes emerging regional cooperation and its contribution for Sustainable Development Goals.
Fuzzy Greedy Search
Authors: Sheibani Kaveh
Published: June 2017

This paper presents mathematics of the so-called fuzzy greedy evaluation concept which can be integrated into approaches for hard combinatorial optimization problems. The proposed method evaluates objects in a way that combines fuzzy reasoning with a greedy mechanism, thereby exploiting a fuzzy solution space using greedy methods. Given that the greedy algorithms are computationally inexpensive compared to other more sophisticated methods for combinatorial optimization; this shows practical significance of using the proposed approach. The effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed method are demonstrated on permutation flow-shop scheduling as one of the most widely studied hard combinatorial optimization problems in the area of operational research and management science.
Role of Corporate Governance in Shareholders Value Creation
Authors: Khan Muhammad Atif , Khan Muhammad Asif , Liaqat Idrees
Published: June 2017

The mechanism of governing corporate affairs in line with strategic goal of shareholders' value creation (SVC) has been pivotal debate among academic and institutional scholars over last few decades. Most of the studies in developing countries including Pakistan, have considered more conventional measures, like firm financial performance to examine the impact of corporate governance (CG). Theoretically, firm financial performance optimization has little role in maximizing SVC, that rarely streams to shareholders' exchequer. Therefore, the study is unique in its nature that identifies market capitalization, the most appropriate measure of value creation for shareholders over long run. The authors gathered panel and longitudinal data pertaining to PSX-100 listed firm over the period of 10 years ranging from 2006-15, which is analyzed using multivariate regression. Hausman and Likelihood tests guide the process of appropriate econometrics model selection. Empirical findings reveal that CG dimensions such as audit committee independence (ACI), managerial ownership (MO) and ownership concentration (OC) have positive impact on SVC, except board size (BS) and board independence (BI). The study offers valuable policy recommendations to make CG practices more effective, however, application of the model proposition at macro and micro level can be a substantial extension to literature incorporating some controlling dimensions.
The Satiation of Natural Curiosity
Authors: Schoeller Felix
Published: June 2017

At the core of this essay is the idea that cognition is best described as a highly developed homeostatic device aiming to maintain a dynamic equilibrium between internal representations and changes in environmental conditions. The author emphasizes the fundamental role played by aesthetics in facilitating an accurate description of the human mind and introduce basic elements of a theory accounting for the influence of art on the cognitive system. A general bibliography is provided for the reader unfamiliar with the notions and desirous to pursue the analysis further.
Association Between the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index
Authors: Pietrosimone Brian , Luc Brittney A. , Duncan Austin , Saliba Susan A. , Hart Joseph M. , Ingersoll Christopher D.
Published: June 2017

Context: 

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) evaluate how patients describe symptoms as well as level of physical function or quality of life. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) Index is one of the most common PROs used to assess disability in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), yet the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) is a single-question instrument that may improve the efficiency associated with the measurement of patient function.

Objective: 

To determine the associations between (1) SANEFunction and the physical dysfunction subsection of the WOMAC index (WOMACDysfunction) before rehabilitation and after a 4-week therapeutic exercise intervention as well as (2) the percentage change in SANEFunction and WOMACDysfunction in people with knee OA after 4 weeks of therapeutic exercise.

Design: 

Cross-sectional study.

Setting: 

Research laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants: 

Thirty-six participants (15 men, 21 women) with radiographic knee OA.

Intervention(s): 

Participants completed 12 sessions (over a 4-week period) of therapeutic exercise to strengthen the lower extremity.

Main Outcome Measure(s): 

The SANEFunction and WOMACDysfunction (WOMACDysfunction normalized to 100%) scores were collected before and after the 4-week intervention. Percentage change scores over the 4-week intervention were calculated for both measures.

Results: 

Participants with a higher SANEFunction score demonstrated a lower WOMACDysfunction score at baseline (rs = –0.44, P = .007) and at the 4-week time point (rs = –0.69, P < .001). There was a nonsignificant and weak association between the changes in the SANEFunction and WOMACDysfunction scores over the 4 weeks of therapeutic exercise (rs = –0.17, P < .43).

Conclusions: 

The SANEFunction and WOMACDysfunction scores demonstrated moderate to weak associations before and after a 4-week exercise program, respectively, whereas the changes in SANEFunction and WOMACDysfunction scores were not associated. These PROs may be measuring different aspects of self-reported function and therefore should not be used interchangeably to determine a therapeutic response.
Predictors of burnout among HIV nurses in the Western Cape
Authors: Roomaney Rizwana , Steenkamp Jeanette , Kagee Ashraf
Published: June 2017

Background: Burnout has been implicated as one of the reasons for key healthcare personnel, such as nurses, leaving their profession, resulting in insufficient staff to attend to patients.Objective: We investigated the predictors of three dimensions of burnout, namely emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment, among nurses in South Africa attending to patients living with HIV.Method: Participants were recruited at a large tertiary hospital in the Western Cape region, with the help of the assistant director of nursing at the hospital. They completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Quantitative Workload Inventory, the Interpersonal Conflict at Work Scale, the Organisational Constraints Scale, the Death and Dying subscale of the Nursing Stress Scale, and the HIV and AIDS Stigma Instrument – Nurse.Results: We found elevated levels of burnout among the sample. Workload, job status and interpersonal conflict at work significantly explained more than one-third of the variance in emotional exhaustion (R² = 0.39, F(7, 102) = 9.28, p = 0.001). Interpersonal conflict, workload, organisational constraints and HIV stigma significantly explained depersonalisation (R² = 0.33, F(7, 102) = 7.22, p = 0.001). Job status and organisational constraints significantly predicted personal accomplishment (R² = 0.18, F(7, 102) = 3.12, p = 0.001).Conclusion: Factors such as workload, job status and interpersonal conflict in the work context, organisational constraints and stigma associated with HIV were found to be predictors of burnout in the sample of nurses. Our recommendations include developing and testing interventions aimed at reducing burnout among nurses, including reducing workload and creating conditions for less interpersonal conflict at work.
South African small and medium-sized enterprise owners’ intention to implement an environmental management system
Authors: Struwig Fredrika W. , Lillah Riyaadh
Published: June 2017

Background: Environmental problems present the most complex and important managerial challenges of the 21st century. Most businesses have responded to these environmental problems by adopting an environmental management system.
Aim: This article investigates South African small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners’ intentions to implement an environmental management system based on the theory of planned behaviour.

Setting: Although large businesses are clearly of interest with respect to their environmental management, especially given their prominence in many of the most environmentally impactful sectors, the relative neglect of the environmental management of SMEs is disconcerting, given their overall importance in most economies. In addition, very little research used the theory of planned behaviour to empirically test SME owners’ intentions, to implement an environmental management system.

Method: A quantitative survey was used to collect primary data from 326 SME owners by a structured questionnaire.

Results: Regression analysis results confirmed the influence of SME owners’ attitudes towards an environmental management system and pro-environmental norms on their intention to implement an environmental management system. Perceived behavioural control, however, did not significantly influence the SME owners’ intention to implement an environmental management system.

Conclusion: These findings provide valuable insights into the implementation of environmental management systems among South African SMEs. The theory of planned behaviour also seems to be an appropriate means to investigate the intentions of SMEs to implement an environmental management system.
Rationale of Using Dynamic Imaging for Characterization of Suspicious Lung Masses into Benign or Malignant on Contrast Enhanced Multi Detector Computed Tomography
Authors: Khanduri Sachin , Bhagat Saurav , Shokeen Parul , Kumar Girjesh , Khanduri Shobha , Singh Bhumika
Published: June 2017

Objectives:

To assess the utility of dynamic imaging namely, wash-in and wash-out characteristics through multidetector contrast-enhanced computed tomography in differentiating benign and malignant pulmonary masses.

Materials and Methods:

Seventy-three patients who were suspected to have malignant pulmonary mass on the basis of clinical symptoms and chest radiograph were included in the study. All the patients underwent multidetector computed tomography scanning, and three series of images were obtained for each patient-noncontrast, early enhanced, and 15 min delayed enhanced scans. Computed tomography (CT) findings were assessed in terms of washin, absolute, and relative percentage washout of contrast. Biopsy of the mass was done and sent for histopathological evaluation. Sensitivity, specificity, and area under curve for diagnosing malignancy in the lung masses were calculated by considering both the wash-in and wash-out characteristics at dynamic CT and plotting the receiver operating curve after the final diagnosis which was obtained by histopathological evaluation.

Results:

Threshold net enhancement (washin) value of >22.5 HU had sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of 88.5%, 57.1%, and 82%, respectively, in predicting malignancy. Threshold relative percentage washout of <16.235% had 98.1%, 85.7%, and 94% sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy, respectively, and threshold absolute percentage washout of <42.72% had 98.1%, 95.2%, and 95% sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy, respectively, in predicting malignancy.

Conclusion:

Threshold net enhancement (washin), absolute and relative washout percentages can be used to predict malignancy with very high diagnostic yield, and possibly obviate the need of invasive procedures for diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma.
Asymptotic completeness for superradiant Klein–Gordon equations and applications to the De Sitter–Kerr metric
Authors: Georgescu Vladimir , Gérard Christian , Häfner Dietrich
Published: June 2017

We show asymptotic completeness for a class of superradiant Klein–Gordon equations. Our results are applied to the Klein–Gordon equation on the De Sitter–Kerr metric with small angular momentum of the black hole. For this equation we obtain asymptotic completeness for fixed angular momentum of the field.
Positivity in $T$-equivariant $K$-theory of flag varieties associated to Kac–Moody groups
Authors: Kumar Shrawan
Published: June 2017

Let

X = G/B

be the full flag variety associated to a symmetrizable Kac–Moody group

G

. Let

T

be the maximal torus of

G

. The

T

-equivariant

K

-theory of

X

has a certain natural basis defined as the dual of the structure sheaves of the finite-dimensional Schubert varieties. We show that under this basis, the structure constants are polynomials with nonnegative coefficients. This result in the finite case was obtained by Anderson–Griffeth–Miller (following a conjecture by Graham–Kumar).
Компактификации Калаби-Яу торических моделей Ландау-Гинзбурга гладких трехмерных многообразий Фано
Authors: Przyjalkowski Victor Vladimirovich
Published: June 2017

Показано, что гладкие трехмерные многообразия Фано имеют торические модели Ландау-Гинзбурга. Более точно, показано, что их модели Ландау-Гинзбурга, представленные как многочлены Лорана, допускают компактификации до семейств поверхностей типа K3, и описаны их слои над бесконечностью. Также приведена явная конструкция моделей Ландау-Гинзбурга для поверхностей дель Пеццо любых дивизоров на них.
Библиография: 40 названий.
Strategies to assess generic skills for different types of students
Authors: Baviera-Puig Amparo , Escriba-Perez Carmen , Buitrago-Vera Juan
Published: June 2017

The Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) has synthesized a profile to be acquired by all the students based on 13 generic skills. For its assessment, the UPV has also developed a rubric for every skill depending on the level of the course. In this research, we develop an educational innovation for validating the rubrics for 3 of the 13 generic skills specified by the UPV. The chosen skills are: “Ability to think practically and apply knowledge in practical situations”, “Innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship ability” and “Teamwork and leadership ability”. To do this, we develop the same methodology in two groups (Morning/English) of the same course (Marketing Research of the Degree of Business Administration and Management of the Faculty of Business Administration and Management at the UPV) with significantly different student profiles. The assessment results of the skills reveal that there are no significant differences between groups. In conclusion, we could say that the rubrics developed by the UPV are adequate to assess all types of students: Erasmus or non-erasmus, working or having worked in the last 2 years or without work experience, and regardless of their satisfaction with the course.
Personal development, resilience theory and transition to university for 1st year students
Authors: Pickard Luke , McKenna James , Brunton Julie A , Utley Andrea
Published: June 2017

Aim The study aimed to determine whether an outdoor orientation programme (OOP) could increase personal development, develop resilience and aid transition and adaptation in 1st year university students. OOPs are thought to aid transition through adventure experience. Based on student development theory, outdoor orientation programmes accelerate psychological growth (Vlamis et al., 2011). Method Semi structured interviews were conducted with 14 students who attended an outdoor orientation programme to investigate the experience of attending an OOP and transition to university. The data was analysed following Braun and Clarke (2006) Six phase approach to thematic analysis. Results Thematic areas discovered included ‘Personal development – Building more than a raft’. This theme described the way in which students developed self-worth and self-efficacy through the OOP experience. ‘The fine line between challenge and fear’ describes how delivery of an intervention such as an OOP needs to be carefully delivered to enhance the benefits and limit any possible detrimental experiences. Discussion These first year students developed in terms of self-worth and self-efficacy through overcoming challenge. This development was also linked to the students surprising themselves about their capacities for handling adversity. Keywords: Adaptation; transition; 1st year students; outdoor orientation program; resilience; personal development.
Reasons for the poor employability of the first degree in students’ perceptions
Authors: Sin Cristina , Tavares Orlanda
Published: June 2017

The reduction of the first degree in Portugal, driven by the Bologna reforms, has resulted in a perceived loss of its value in the society and the labour market. The implementation of the reforms coincided with the severe economic crisis and the job scarcity currently affecting the labour market. This paper aims to investigate student perceptions of the reasons why they consider the first degree insufficient. Is it because students really feel unprepared for the labour market as a result of the shorter first degree or is it because of the widespread perception in the society that the first degree is insufficient? In other words, is the poor employability of the first degree perceived as being determined by individual inability or by an external scepticism about its value? Findings suggest that, for students, the first degree is not enough mostly because of their individual inability to respond to labour market needs and less because of public scepticism about the degree’s worth. Therefore, students apparently see themselves as the key agents, emphasising their own responsibility for employability and the individual factors behind the employability concept, although the latter are somewhat balanced by external factors under the weight of the economic crisis.
Learning spaces around the university: Factors that affect the preferences for a space
Authors: Lee Jason Wen Yau
Published: June 2017

A building space can play multiple roles within an education institution. New spaces are being designed and created with the hopes of fostering innovation, collaboration and creative. The idea of developing such spaces can only be realized if there are sufficient resources but the fact is that many institutions simply will not have the resources to create such a change.  Given that most universities have existing resources that were developed over the years, we propose a preliminary framework that can be used to evaluate existing learning spaces
The ICT and gamification: tools for improving motivation and learning at universities
Authors: Lara J. Javier Serrano , Magraner Félix Fajardo
Published: June 2017

The teacher-student technology gap and the lack of attention in the design of attractive and motivating learning methodologies often result in student´s demotivation and poor academic performance. To this end, from the research field, a series of methodologies and tools have been developed, such as gamification, as well as the introduction of ICT in lessons. By  implementingSocrative, a classroom app to engage students, we tried to measure the evolution of students’ knowledge after the use of ICT and more interactive lessons. In addition, we tried to relate the level of motivation to students’ seating plan in the classroom (in rows). We also tried to analyse students' preferences and their feedback of the new techniques and methodologies used during the classes. The main result of the research is that the use of ICT and gamification in the classroom improved students’ motivation and learning, especially those who were less motivated. The direct relation between the students' seats in the classroom and their motivation was verified. At the same time, the learning differences between all the students in the classroom were reduced, achieving a balance between the learning and the motivation of the students. Keywords: Smartphone; incentive; learning; university students; Socrative.
Trends in student behavior in online courses
Authors: Conijn Rianne , Van Zaanen Menno
Published: June 2017

Learning management systems provide an easy and effective means of access to educational material. Students’ access to course material is logged and the amount of interaction is assumed to be a measure of student engagement within the course. In previous research, frequencies of student activities have typically been used, but this disregards any temporal information. Here, we analyze the amount of student activity over time during courses. Based on activity data over 11 online courses, we cluster students who show similar behavior over time. This shows three different groups: a large group of students who are mostly not active, another group of students who are very active throughout the course, and a group of students who start out being active, but their activity diminishes throughout the course. These groups of students also show different performance. Overall, more active students yield better results. In addition to these general trends, we identified courses in which alternative trends can be found, such as a group of students who become more active during the course. This shows that student behavior is more complex than can be identified from an individual course and more research into patterns of learning activities in multiple courses is essential.
Developing problem solving competences through the resolution of contextualized problems with an Advanced Computing Environment
Authors: Marchisio Marina , Barana Alice , Fioravera Michele
Published: June 2017

The paper shows how problem solving competences can be developed by solving contextualized problems using an Advanced Computing Environment (ACE). An ACE is a computer system which enables its user to perform numeric and symbolic computations, graphical representations in two and three dimensions, insert embedded components and create interactive worksheet, all in the same user-friendly environment. An ACE allows students to approach a problematic situation in the way that most suits their thinking, to use different types of representations according to the chosen strategy and to display the whole reasoning together with verbal explanation in the same page: in other words, they can fulfill all the processes that problem solving involves. This paper analyzes a problem solving activity with an ACE proposed by the XXX of the ZZZ, and clarifies, also through examples, how the use of the ACE makes it possible to solve real and relevant problems, facilitates the comprehension of the situation and of the Mathematics laying behind and enhance critical thinking.
Critical analysis and digital literacy in learning social psychology
Authors: González-Conde Joan , Codina Nuria , Valenzuela Rafael , Pestana Jose Vicente
Published: June 2017

This paper presents a teaching experience in social psychology learning, aimed at students’ acquisition of critical analysis and digital literacy competences at the University of Barcelona. The methodology consisted of asking each student to  answer to a socially relevant question, by means of (a) identifying key underlying psychosocial processes and (b) searching for adequate keywords in scientific databases such as PsycNet and Sociological Abstracts, in order to (c) select and critically compare two relevant articles that could answer this question. The acquisition of these competences was assessed with a rubric and related questions in the final exam. Results indicated both the effectiveness of this approach to teach competences in digital literacy and critical analysis through motivating questions, and the translation of these competences in other situations. This approach also showed to be more effective in teaching these ompetences than only giving lectures. This methodology is promising, as it provides an answer to how to give future professionals competences in answering effectively and rigorously to socially relevant problems in the Information Society.
Assessing resilience at University
Authors: CIOLFI ALBERTO , Sabella Morena
Published: June 2017

Promoting quality results also requires the ability to measure outcomes and to identify what context variables can affect the student’s success. The aim of this work is to analyze the distances in terms of the results obtained to a test on generalist skills among students with different family background (advantaged vs disadvantaged) and with brilliant performance, verifying whether these differences are significant. The analysis suggest that for resilient, the social background does not predict the student’s performance, thus we suppose that the skills achieved during the University studies could contribute to the reduction of the distance among students with different social background.
Student Auditing of University Social Responsibility - Reform through Reflective, Experiential Learning?
Authors: Menezes Isabel , Coelho Márcia , Rodrigues Fernanda , Evans Peter , Martin Brian
Published: June 2017

The emphasis on the social responsibility of higher education institutions emerged more systematically in the Post-Bologna European context. This paper presents an overview of a case study on a certificate in university social responsibility auditing, based on three European universities: Edimburgh, Kaunas and Porto. The goal is to develop an auditor training for students based on experiential learning, that is coherent and replicable in diverse contexts and that involves the various stakeholders. The project is based on a set of benchmarks of university social responsibility developed in the context of a European project, namely:  Research, Teaching, Support for Learning and Public Engagement; Governance; Environmental and Societal Sustainability; and Fair Practices. We will report on the initial data generated by the ESSA Project, in respect of student recruitment, baseline attitudes and the impact of participation in the training and the first audit.
Academic Managers` Perspective on Research Management in Higher Education Institutions across Romania
Authors: Iftimescu Simona , Marin Elena , Ion Georgeta , Stingu Mihaela , Proteasa Carmen
Published: June 2017

This paper seeks to bring into discussion the main traits and their effects on the research management process within Romanian universities from the managers’ perspective. Fourteen academic managers took part in a semi-structured in-depth interview aimed at presenting and analysing the research management process in higher education institutions. The focus was on academic managers` perspective regarding the current university model, the research culture within universities and the internal strategies used to promote and stimulate research production. Results show the university should be considered an important pillar for economic growth and thus, it must invest in developing more research activities of higher quality, helping to transform knowledge into a profitable investment. Therefore, the university needs to support the development of internal strategies that will help researchers work individually or in teams in order to implement research projects, ensuring that potential inaccuracies, such as lack of institutional support or bureaucracy, are reduced.
Promoção de saúde e programa de saúde na escola: reflexões a partir dos professores de educação física escolar
Authors: Lima Arthur Henrique Gomes de , Lobo Hetty Nunes
Published: June 2017

Saúde é o completo bem-estar físico, mental e social, não podendo ser puramente considerada a ausência de doença. É fundamental que as escolas se preparem para promover a saúde de seus alunos, pois, estes passam grande parte de seu tempo nesse ambiente. Analisar os professores de educação física escolar que trabalham a promoção de saúde em suas aulas, e saber se os professores possuem conhecimento a respeito do Programa de Saúde na Escola (PSE). Foi realizada a entrevista contendo 5 perguntas a respeito do programa de saúde na escola (PSE) e promoção de saúde nas aulas de educação física. O principal achado do presente estudo foi que dois professores ainda trabalham de forma preventiva e apenas um professor que possui conhecimento da promoção da saúde na visão ampliada. Conclui-se que a superação dos desafios apontados pelos setores saúde e educação passa pelo reconhecimento de que as contradições conceituais apontadas.
Evaluation of traffic exhaust contributions to ambient carbonaceous submicron particulate matter in an urban roadside environment in Hong Kong
Authors: Lee Berto P. , Louie Peter K. K. , Luk Connie , Chan Chak K.
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Road traffic has significant impacts on local air quality particularly in densely urbanized and populated areas where vehicle emissions are a major local source of ambient particulate matter. Characterization studies on road traffic emissions in Hong Kong are sparse due to the complexity of the urban built environment and the encountered transient engine loads which make emission factor and dispersion modeling approaches difficult to implement. This study provides an estimation of the contribution of vehicles powered by different fuels (gasoline, diesel, LPG) to carbonaceous aerosol based on ambient aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) and elemental carbon (EC) measurements and real traffic data in an urban inner city environment with the aim to gauge the importance of different vehicle types to particulate matter burdens in a typical urban street canyon. On an average per-vehicle basis, contributions of diesel and gasoline vehicles to carbonaceous PM1 were similar, contrary to previous studies which attributed higher particulate matter emissions to diesel vehicles. This clear reduction is likely due to recent control strategies targeted at commercial vehicles and buses. LPG vehicles were found to be a negligible source of elemental carbon and only small contributor to organic particulate mass despite their high abundance in the traffic mix. Gasoline vehicle exhaust contained similar amounts of elemental carbon and organic species, while diesel vehicle exhaust was dominated by elemental carbon.
Experimental techniques for the calibration of lidar depolarization
channels in EARLINET
Authors: Belegante Livio , Bravo-Aranda Juan Antonio , Freudenthaler Volker , Nicolae Doina , Nemuc Anca , Alados-Arboledas Lucas , Amodeo Aldo , Pappalardo Gelsomina , D'Amico Giuseppe , Engelmann Ronny , Baars Holger , Wandinger Ulla , Papayannis Alex , Kokkalis Panos , Pereira Sérgio N.
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Particle depolarization ratio retrieved from lidar measurements are commonly used for aerosol typing studies, microphysical inversion, or mass concentration retrievals. The particle depolarization ratio is one of the primary parameters that can differentiate several major aerosol components, but only if the measurements are accurate enough. The uncertainties related to the retrieval of particle depolarization ratios are the main factor in determining the accuracy of the derived parameters in such studies. This paper presents different depolarization calibration procedures used to improve the quality of the depolarization data. The results illustrate a significant improvement of the depolarization lidar products for all the selected lidar stations that had implemented depolarization calibration procedures. The calibrated volume and particle depolarization profiles at 532 nm show values that fall within a range of values that are generally accepted in the literature.
Extant shore-platform stromatolite (SPS) assemblage
Authors: Smith Alan , Cooper Andrew , Misra Saumitra , Bharuth Vishal , Guastella Lisa , Botes Riaan
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Extant peritidal, micritic stromatolites and tufa are growing discontinuously along the southeast African Indian Ocean rocky peritidal zone. Microbialites are ubiquitous on this coast but only calcify when carbonate rich groundwater is present; if horizontal surfaces (shore platforms) are present stromatolites develop, if vertical surfaces are present tufa forms. Tufa and stromatolites are end members of a spectrum dictated by coastal topography. Extant shore-platform stromatolites (SPS) occur in very high wave energy settings, often around headlands, boulder beaches and/or beach ridges, storm swash-terraces and coastal dunes. Stromatolite growth is seen on soft coastlines but the preservation potential is very low/ zero. SPS are produced by mineral precipitation, not trapping and binding. SPS are developing in a mildly transgressive siliciclastic setting. Laminar and colloform stromatolite morphologies could be preserved in the geological record as micritic lenses on a palaeo-shore platform surface. SPS share many features with Precambrian stromatolites. Terraces associated with oceanic or lacustrine flooding surfaces should not be ignored when searching for potential stromatolite deposits on Mars.
El “Kant con Sade” de Jacques Lacan: renuncia al deseo y sadismo en el imperativo categórico kantiano
Authors: Conde Soto Francisco
Published: June 2017

El objetivo de este estudio es valorar la yuxtaposición del imperativo categórico de Kant con la máxima de Sade que plantea en varios textos el psicoanalista francés Jacques Lacan. En opinión de Lacan Kant y Sade son dos caras de una misma moneda en lo que se refiere a su posición con respecto al deseo y al goce. Sus tesis son: 1. Que la máxima sadiana de que el libertino tiene derecho a vejar al prójimo tal y como le venga en gana cumple en lo esencial los requisitos del imperativo categórico de Kant. 2. Que tanto la propuesta de Sade como la moral kantiana son muestras de un mismo sadismo: dirigido a los otros sujetos el primero y dirigido hacia sí mismo bajo la forma de deber moral el segundo. Partiendo de La ética del psicoanálisis (1959-60) y mayormente del texto “Kant con Sade” (1966) se expone la crítica de Lacan al imperativo categórico de Kant, asumido como paradigma de lo que significa ser moral.
MÉTODO EDUCACIONAL INFANTIL NA PREVENÇÃO E COMBATE À DENGUE, ZIKA VÍRUS E CHIKUNGUNYA
Authors: Soares Flávia Mesquita , Gonçalves Ana Beatriz Clemente , Alvim Rafael de Oliveira , Mourão Júnior Carlos Alberto , Oliveira Camila Maciel
Published: June 2017

Desde o século 19 o continente americano é palco de epidemias de dengue e, ainda nos dias de hoje os óbitos e impactos negativos nos setores de saúde, social e financeiro decorrentes do grande número de pessoas afetadas, incidem sobre diversos países do mundo. A situação complica-se ainda mais em 2016 quando a tríade de enfermidades transmitidas pelos mosquitos Aedes aegypti e Ae. albopictus começa a apresentar surtos: Dengue, Febre Chikungunya e Zika. É evidente a necessidade de se traçar programas que incentivem o combate aos vetores de forma eficaz. Toda a população deve ser convocada a participar de ações diárias de eliminação de focos de água parada, sendo essa a forma mais eficiente, até o momento, de controlar a reprodução do vetor. A fim de recrutar crianças no combate ao Aedes o Projeto Coraçõezinhos de Baependi realizou uma ação educativa em escolas das redes públicas e privadas, em zona urbana e rural, na cidade de Baependi – Minas Gerais em março de 2016. As atividades foram direcionadas aos escolares do pré primário à quinta série do ensino fundamental. O público infantil, além de poder contribuir ativamente no processo, pode exercer papel fundamental na propagação de informações, especialmente em ambiente familiar.
MOSTRA DE CIÊNCIA: UM EVENTO DE EXTENSÃO DA UFPR
Authors: Gomes Maria Aparecida Biason , Micaroni Liliana , Mello Regina Maria Queiroz de , Guimarães José Luís
Published: June 2017

Feira ou Mostra de Ciências é uma oportunidade para o desenvolvimento da cultura científica. O evento de extensão da Universidade Federal do Paraná “Mostra de Ciência” é uma divulgação das atividades de extensão realizadas na UFPR envolvendo o Setor de Ciências Exatas e o Setor de Educação Profissional e Tecnológica (SEPT). Neste trabalho relatamos as atividades relacionadas com a área de química: experimentos em química e jogos educativos que ocorreram na primeira e segunda edição deste evento. Os experimentos em química foram expostos por estudantes do ensino médio, que participaram do projeto de extensão “Pensando e Fazendo Ciência” do Departamento de Química da UFPR. Os jogos educativos em química foram executados por estudantes do ensino médio do SEPT/UFPR. A preparação e execução desse evento contou com a participação ativa dos estudantes de ensino médio, dos bolsistas de extensão e dos professores. Foram aplicados questionários impessoais aos visitantes e aos estudantes expositores em que se observa uma avaliação positiva em duas edições do evento.  Portanto, a Mostra de Ciência foi um evento de extensão que promoveu o desenvolvimento da cultura científica entre estudantes do ensino médio, despertando o seu interesse pela ciência e possibilitou aos bolsistas uma experiência na área de ensino de química, além de desenvolver habilidades em laboratório e em pesquisa. Ainda, a participação em jogos educativos em química propiciou aos visitantes (estudantes de ensino médio) o desenvolvimento do pensamento científico e reforço de conceitos básicos em química.
Analysis of Spain´s competitiveness in the European tomato market: An application of the Constant Market Share method
Authors: Capobianco-Uriarte Mercedes , Aparicio Juan , De Pablo-Valenciano Jaime
Published: June 2017

This paper presents a quantitative analysis of the competitiveness of Spanish tomato export compared with its major competitors in the European Union market countries (EU28). The methodological framework is implemented through Constant Market Share to analyze variations in exports, allowing the portion attributable to competitiveness and segregation into general or specific competitiveness to be quantified. This analysis was carried out with the 2005-2009 and 2010-2014 periods to see if there had been a recovery from the global financial and economic crisis of 2007 in the Spanish tomato trade. Before the global economic and financial crisis, Spain had a positive structural effect of exports which contributed significantly to the growth of tomato sales to the EU, but had a negative change in the volume of exports to the EU28, mainly due to the negative effect of the competitiveness component. According to the segregation effect of competitiveness, a marked general negative competitive effect was evident, that cannot be offset by the positive effect of specific competitiveness. Since 2010, Spain has experienced a positive change in the volume of its tomato exports to the EU28, the competitiveness component also being positive, due to positive investment of the component of general competitiveness and whose greatest contribution was the positive effect of specific competitiveness. Within the group of competitors, Spain is the only country supplying tomatoes to the EU28 that has experienced a positive change in volume when comparing business performance of 2010-2014 vs 2005-2009.
Assess the Application Level of Hotels Located in Aqaba City to the ENAT Standards from the Staff’s Point of View
Authors: Bazazo Ibrahim , Nasseef Mohammed Abdullah , Al-Nsour Omar , Altheeb Sara , Alez Hameed Abu
Published: June 2017

The aim of this research is to explore the degree to which Aqaba city hotels apply ENAT (European Network for Accessible Tourism) standards towards disabled tourists. These include physical accessibility/outside areas, physical accessibility/internal access routes, toilet and bathroom, staff and additional services, and equipment for accessible venues. A total of 142 questionnaire containing 32 items was used to collect information from employees work in three, four, and five star hotels. Results of the current study revealed that the researched hotels apply ENAT standards to a great extent except for equipment for accessible venues. This study shall provide important feedback to hoteliers’ decision-makers who are significant factors that can enhance the disability's services and put the hotel industry in Aqaba city at a competitive edge.
Designing Job Descriptions for Toxicology Nurses
Authors: Gharib Sanaa Abd Elmonem , Fekry Nehad Ezz-Eldin Abdullah
Published: June 2017

This study aimed at designing job descriptions (JDs) for toxicology nurses at NECTR - Cairo University Hospitals. The Center composed of ICUs (24beds) and ER (4beds).Throughout the “developing of JDs" the methodological design was used. The Sample composed of all Nursing Staff at NECTR (N=30). The Nursing Activity Checklist and Job Analysis Questionnaire tools were developed, with 12 dimensions and 123 items and had an excellent reliability and validity. The Nurses’ roles were described and identified for the highest and lowest tasks, to examine the frequency, importance, and difficulty of each task. Thus each category had various duties and tasks. Based on the Jury/ experts' opinions, the investigator developed validated JDs for Toxicology Nurses (DON, Deputy DON, Charge Nurse and Staff Nurse). The educational sessions were successful in increasing the nurse's knowledge about the newly designed JDs. This study concluded that it is necessary to implement the designed JDs and develop educational programs to improve the nurses' disabilities at NECTR. r, encounters several factors and problems derived from the level of participation up to the readiness of local election committee.
Chinese Folk Photographic Creations of Western Photographers
Authors: Zhou Ting
Published: June 2017

Folk cultures contribute to the important composition of the traditional culture in China, a multiracial ancient civilization enjoying a profound history. Folk photography opens a window for the world to enable people in other countries to understand China as well as its traditional culture. Western photographers have created a large amount of folk photographs during over a century of corresponding development. These works mean not only great significances to the documentation and heritage of Chinese folk cultures but also enormous contributions to the communication of Chinese folk cultures towards the global community. The paper reviewed the Chinese folk photographic creations of western photographers from mid-19th century to early 21st century, and discussed the connotations and meanings of these works.
BRICS jako rzeczywistość wykreowana?
Authors: Potulski Jakub
Published: June 2017

The acronym BRIC was originally coined by Goldman Sachs analytics to highlight the exceptional role of important emerging economies and included Brazil, Russia, India and China. It was pointed out that high growth rates, economic potential and demographic development were going to put BRIC further in a lead position and it was argued that their increase relevance should change international relations. In this article author argues that individually, the BRICS countries have become relevant actors in the international arena but cooperation between BRICS countries are limited in their depth, scope and acceptance, which reflect the group’s lack of cohesion, resources, priorities, economics model, foreign policy interest, and, consequently, their incapacity to shape their own international agenda. Authors argue that talking about BRICS as “a new geopolitical power” is a manifestation of lack of criticism.
Wymiar Północny a obwód kaliningradzki Federacji Rosyjskiej – obszary współpracy
Authors: Wojcieszak Łukasz
Published: June 2017

The aim of the article is to present how important is the Northern Dimension of the EU for development of the Kaliningrad Oblast. The author shows the significance of the Northern Dimension, its influence on the region as well as specific areas of cooperation. Further the article deals with particular projects in the area of transport and logistics, environment, public health and social welfare, as well as in the field of culture. The Northern Dimension of the EU allows multidimensional cooperation with Russia on the regional level with Kalinigrad Oblast as main beneficiary. This cooperation is possible despite difficult relations between Russia and its neighbors. The initiatives important for the Oblast have been supported, development of the infrastructure or fight against social pathologies in particular. The implementation of specific initiatives within the Northern Dimension has not improved, however, the relationship between Russia and the countries participating in this project.
Dysfunkcyjność państw afrykańskich jako czynnik sprzyjający współczesnym migracjom
Authors: Stańczyk-Minkiewicz Margot
Published: June 2017

The following article is dedicated to disfunctional states of the African continent and their connection with migration process. The disfunctional state is a state, which is unable to guarantee itself and its citizens security and basic development conditions. It has no possibility to defend existential values and thus ensure stability and existence. Currently, most of the disfunctional states of the world are located on the African continent. The author explores both problems, challenges and threats of contemporary migrations, as well as main factors which determine the decision of the migrant to leave his own state and escape into an unknown region.
Lineage commitment of embryonic cells involves MEK1-dependent clearance of pluripotency regulator Ventx2
Authors: Scerbo Pierluigi , Marchal Leslie , Kodjabachian Laurent
Published: June 2017

During early embryogenesis, cells must exit pluripotency and commit to multiple lineages in all germ-layers. How this transition is operated in vivo is poorly understood. Here, we report that MEK1 and the Nanog-related transcription factor Ventx2 coordinate this transition. MEK1 was required to make Xenopus pluripotent cells competent to respond to all cell fate inducers tested. Importantly, MEK1 activity was necessary to clear the pluripotency protein Ventx2 at the onset of gastrulation. Thus, concomitant MEK1 and Ventx2 knockdown restored the competence of embryonic cells to differentiate. Strikingly, MEK1 appeared to control the asymmetric inheritance of Ventx2 protein following cell division. Consistently, when Ventx2 lacked a functional PEST-destruction motif, it was stabilized, displayed symmetric distribution during cell division and could efficiently maintain pluripotency gene expression over time. We suggest that asymmetric clearance of pluripotency regulators may represent an important mechanism to ensure the progressive assembly of primitive embryonic tissues.