bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
UNsatisfied? The Rocky Path to NATO Membership – Bosnia and Herzegovina: A New Approach in Understanding the Challenges
Authors: Preljević Hamza
Published: November 2017

NATO’s enlargement in the Western Balkans (WB) has been the focus of a number of debates for almost two decades. Opinions and positions regarding this question range from serious doubts, criticisms and opportunistic press releases to enthusiastic support for membership. This paper assesses Bosnian reforms and policy changes, as well as the country’s efforts to join NATO. Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has made significant steps in moving towards NATO’s military and political standards, but not sufficiently. Although BiH is viewed by some observers as a country approaching the point of joining the Membership Action Plan (MAP), this prospect remains uncertain. The findings of this research suggest that BiH is different from other WB countries and that it is not suitable for understanding the NATO integration challenges in the WB. In order to understand Bosnian ‘specifics’, it is necessary not only to view the challenges through the prism of technical and other domestic issues in BiH. A wider approach must be adopted. Through understanding the Bosnian specifics, the dilemmas related to the NATO membership of BiH become more obvious and clear. Bosnian specifics illustrate why BiH is not able to take significant steps towards long-term stabilization and NATO membership.
Development of the Croatian National Security Strategy in the Hybrid Threats Context
Authors: Smiljanic Drazen
Published: November 2017

The development of the new National Security Strategy (NSS) of the Republic of Croatia, begun in November 2016, takes place in a radically different security environment compared to the first (and current) Croatian NSS published in 2002. This paper aims to provide incentives for potential adaptations to the approach and methodology used in Croatia’s NSS development, particularly in relation to hybrid warfare. Assuming that the hybrid adversary tends heavily to exploit the vulnerabilities of the targeted state and society, the paper addresses some of Croatia’s widely recognized weaknesses that should be taken into consideration in a threat assessment. As a conclusion, the paper proposes some recommendations, including the concept of societal resilience, related to ways to counter hybrid threats.
An Economic Design of Rectifying Double Acceptance Sampling Plans via Maxima Nomination Sampling
Authors: Razmkhah Mansooreh , Sadeghpour Gildeh Bahram , Ahmadi Jafar
Published: November 2017

In industry when a lot of items is sent for inspection, double acceptance sampling plans (DASP) are considered as a way to decide on acceptance or rejection of the lot. If the lot contains items with high sensitivity, then the measuring of quality characteristics is destructive or costly. So we are looking for a method to decide that it has high performance. Using the ranked set sampling (RSS) method will make it stricter and more accurate whether or not to accept a lot. Moreover, it is affordable and will not burden extra costs on the buyer or the producer. In this paper, by using a special type of RSS, with the name of maxima nomination sampling (MNS), we design a DASP with regards to the total loss function. The results indicate that the total loss function, which is acquired by the MNS method, has lower values than the one using the simple random sampling (SRS) method.
The balance between alkali diffusion and alkali consuming reactions during impregnation of softwood. Impregnation for kraft pulping revisited
Authors: Brännvall Elisabet , Reimann Anders
Published: November 2017

The purpose of the impregnation stage is to ensure that cooking chemicals reach all parts of the chips. However, as alkali comes into contact with wood, reactions take place, which alter the paths available for ionic transport and dissolve wood components. The aim of the present study is to establish the most favorable impregnation conditions, which result in an even alkali concentration profile through the chip at a sufficiently high level without extensive yield losses due to peeling. Softwood chips were subjected to different impregnation conditions. The progress of impregnation was assessed by analyzing the concentration of hydroxide ions in the bound liquor inside wood chips and the release of acetic acid. The extent of undesired reactions was measured as the amount of carbohydrate degradation products formed and amount of wood dissolved. Increased temperature and time lead to more degradation of the carbohydrates during impregnation. At high temperature, the concentration of alkali in the bound liquor was lower due to higher alkali consumption in degradation reactions. The most favorable process is to perform impregnation at an elevated initial effective alkali (EA) for a short time. This resulted in an increased alkali concentration in the bound liquor within the chip without extensive carbohydrate degradation.
Selection of an Anticalin® against the membrane form of Hsp70 via bacterial surface display and its theranostic application in tumour models
Authors: Friedrich Lars , Kornberger Petra , Mendler Claudia T. , Multhoff Gabriele , Schwaiger Markus , Skerra Arne
Published: November 2017

We describe the selection of Anticalins against a common tumour surface antigen, human Hsp70, using functional display on live Escherichia coli cells as fusion with a truncated EspP autotransporter. While found intracellularly in normal cells, Hsp70 is frequently exposed in a membrane-bound state on the surface of tumour cells and, even more pronounced, in metastases or after radiochemotherapy. Employing a recombinant Hsp70 fragment comprising residues 383-548 as the target, Anticalins were selected from a naïve bacterial library. The Anticalin with the highest affinity (K
D=13 nm), as determined towards recombinant full-length Hsp70 by real-time surface plasmon resonance analysis, was improved to K
D=510 pm by doped random mutagenesis and another cycle of E. coli surface display, followed by rational combination of mutations. This Anticalin, which recognises a linear peptide epitope located in the interdomain linker of Hsp70, was demonstrated to specifically bind Hsp70 in its membrane-associated form in immunofluorescence microscopy and via flow cytometry using the FaDu cell line, which is positive for surface Hsp70. The radiolabelled and PASylated Anticalin revealed specific tumour accumulation in xenograft mice using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Furthermore, after enzymatic coupling to the protein toxin gelonin, the Anticalin showed potent cytotoxicity on FaDu cells in vitro.
Impact of protamine I on colon cancer proliferation, invasion, migration, diagnosis and prognosis
Authors: Chen Zhi , Shi Chunyu , Gao Shuohui , Song Defeng , Feng Ye
Published: November 2017

This paper investigates protamine I (PRM1) expression and its effects on proliferation, invasion and migration of colon cancer cells as well as its function in clinical diagnosis and prognosis. Gene chips were used to screen differentially expressed genes. PRM1 expression was detected by Western blotting and quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry were utilized to compare the expression of PRM1 from multiple differentiation levels of colon cancer tissues. Cell viability, cell apoptosis and cell cycle were tested using the MTT assay and flow cytometry. Cell invasion and migration capability were tested using the Transwell assay and wound healing. In vivo effects of PRM1 on colon cancer were explored using a xenograft model. PRM1 expression in serum was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression level of PRM1 was significantly higher in colon cancer tissues and the staining degree of PRM1 in poorly-differentiated was stronger. pcDNA3.1-PRM1 decreased cell apoptosis while it increased the proliferation, cell invasion and migration. The si-PRM1 group displayed an opposite tendency. The serum PRM1 level was significantly higher and could serve as a diagnostic biomarker for colon cancer.
Food and cultural omnivorism: a reflexive discussion on otherness, interculturality and cosmopolitanism
Authors: Pellerano Joana A. , Riegel Viviane
Published: November 2017

This paper is part of the research project “Cosmopolitismos juvenis no Brasil” (Youth Cosmopolitanisms in Brazil), partner of the international research project “Cultures Juveniles à l’ ère de la globalization”. Our aim for this paper is to understand the connection between food and cosmopolitan experiences, discussing two main perspectives of omnivorism studies - (1) that cultural omnivorism cause long-term indifference for cultural diversity; and (2) that this omnivorism indicates only intercultural curiosity translated into specific distinctive capital in fields of power - and the possibility of these visions of cultural omnivorism turn into a reflexive view of the Other. We applied empirical and bibliographic research, including qualitative research with Brazilians aged between 18 and 24 years who are living in the city of São Paulo, and theoretical reflections related to the fields of food and cultural studies, covering omnivorism, otherness and cosmopolitanism. In the case of the first perspective, there is no possibility of connection to otherness, hence, to cosmopolitanism. The analysis of the second perspective shows that it is possible to find threats of distinction connected to cultural and food omnivorism. Therefore, it is still necessary to develop further studies to understand the reflexive dimension of cosmopolitanism within cultural and food consumption.
Dynamics of typical Baire-1 functions on the interval
Authors: Steele T. H.
Published: November 2017

Let

I
=

[
0
,
1
]

{I=[0,1]}

, and let

b
⁢

B
1

{bB_{1}}

be the set of Baire-1 self-maps
of I. For

f
∈

b
⁢

B
1

{f\in bB_{1}}

, let

Λ
⁢

(
f
)

=

⋃

x
∈
I

ω
⁢

(
x
,
f
)

{\Lambda(f)=\bigcup_{x\in I}\omega(x,f)}

be
the set of ω-limit points of f. We prove the following:

(i)

There exists a residual subset S of

b
⁢

B
1

{bB_{1}}

such that for any

f
∈
S

{f\in S}

and

x
∈
I

{x\in I}

the ω-limit set

ω
⁢

(
x
,
f
)

{\omega(x,f)}

is contained in the
set of points at which f is continuous, and

ω
⁢

(
x
,
f
)

{\omega(x,f)}

is an

∞

{\infty}

-adic adding machine.

(ii)

There exists a residual subset S of

b
⁢

B
1

{bB_{1}}

such that for any

f
∈
S

{f\in S}

and for any

ε
>
0

{\varepsilon>0}

there exists a natural number M such that

f
m

⁢

(
I
)

⊂

B
ε

⁢

(

Λ
⁢

(
f
)

)

{f^{m}(I)\subset B_{\varepsilon}(\Lambda(f))}

whenever

m
>
M

{m>M}

. Moreover,

f
:

Λ
⁢

(
f
)

→

Λ
⁢

(
f
)

{f:\Lambda(f)\rightarrow\Lambda(f)}

is a bijection.
HMM with emission process resulting from a special combination of independent Markovian emissions
Authors: Nasroallah Abdelaziz , Elkimakh Karima
Published: November 2017

One of the most used variants of hidden Markov models (HMMs) is the standard case where the time is discrete and the state spaces (hidden and observed spaces) are finite.
In this framework, we are interested in HMMs whose emission process results from a combination of independent Markov chains. Principally, we assume that the emission process evolves as follows:
given a hidden state realization k at time t, an emission is a realization of a Markov chain

Y
t
k

{Y_{t}^{k}}

at time t, and for two different hidden states k and

k
′

{k^{\prime}}

,

Y
t
k

{Y_{t}^{k}}

and

Y
t

k
′

{Y_{t}^{k^{\prime}}}

are assumed independent.
Given the hidden process, the considered emission process selects its realizations from independent and homogeneous Markov chains evolving simultaneously.
In this paper, we propose to study the three known basic problems of such an HMM variant, by deriving corresponding formulas and algorithms.
This allows us to enrich the set of application scenarios of HMMs.
Numerical examples are presented to show the applicability of our proposed approach by deriving statistical estimations.
Exploring the Gap Between Male and Female Employment in the South African Workforce
Authors: Sinden Elaine
Published: November 2017

Women in South Africa have for decades, experienced discrimination in the workplace because certain positions such as top and senior management posts were predominately given to men. If women were employed, they were mostly offered positions at the lower levels of the organisation, or specific jobs such as secretaries or administrative jobs. To address such discrimination, to ensure gender equality is promoted and women are offered equal employment opportunities, the South African government has since 1994 adopted different anti- discriminatory laws to expedite equal employment to improve the position of women in the workplace. To explore the extent to which the position of women in the workplace has changed - if at all - since the dawn of democracy, this paper provides an analysis of women’s employment standing in 2014 in the South African workforce. The goal of this study is to identify employment gender gaps both in terms of employment numbers, as well as employment in different sectors. To explore this objective, the study first provides an overview of some of the anti - discriminatory laws that were put in place by the South African government to promote equal opportunities for all South Africans, especially women. Second, the study develops a conceptual framework based on an analysis of the literature on gender equality and its link to equal employment for women. Finally, the study provides an overview of the South African labour force as at 2014, showing the gap between male and female employment. The findings confirm that despite South Africa’s progressive legislative and policy measures, women remain underrepresented in the workplace, meaning that progress in redressing unfair discrimination has been slow and/or uneven. The findings also reveal that men continue to dominate the workforce, especially in top and senior management positions.
Indonesian Law Development on Housing Collateral
Authors: Hartanto J Andy
Published: November 2017

The collateral law is a provision and rule of law governing the legal relationship between the receiver and the receivable of credit by charging a guarantee. Then in about the loading of Flats with Rescue Rights. Therefore, based on the provisions of Article 27 on mortgage law, the Flats are no longer possible guaranteed by Mortgage and Fiduciary, since the object of collateral with Mortgage and Fiduciary in flats act has become the object of collateral which is burdened with mortgage right by mortgage law. The Right to Land in the Flats can not be burdened with the mortgage right, because it is a collective land, it is only possible to be guaranteed with the Mortgage right only by the Developer at the time of building the flats, but when it was established the flats, it is no longer possible Burdened with a mortgage, which may be just the Property of the Housing Unit because it is the possession of a person who is the things that stand on the ground together.
Mobile Commerce Switching Intentions in Thai Consumers
Authors: Sombultawee Kedwadee
Published: November 2017

This research applies an extended Unified Theory of Adoption and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model to consumer intentions to switch from other retail channels to mobile commerce in Thailand. Mobile commerce is a rapidly growing segment of the consumer market, but remains in an early stage of adoption in many markets. A survey of Thai consumers (n = 458) was conducted online and analyzed using a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. Findings showed that the extended UTAUT model, which included online social support and convenience, significantly explained the consumer decision to engage in mobile commerce. However, direct incentives (discounts and referral codes) were not significant. The implication of these findings is that mobile commerce providers need to focus on building social support for the technology itself, rather than relying on marketing tools like discounts or referral codes if they want to shift sales away from other retail channels.
Analysis of ECOWAS Institutional Framework for Conflict Management
Authors: Odobo Samuel Osagie , Andekin Amos Musa , Udegbunam Kingsley
Published: November 2017

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has evolved conflict management and security framework through which it responds to the myriads of socio-political crisis in the sub-region. This paper assesses the ECOWAS mechanisms for conflict management vis-à-vis the challenges facing the region. It begins by looking at the nature of conflict in West Africa; and then the evolution of ECOWAS conflict management framework. Using content analysis, the paper argues that ECOWAS has evolved a comprehensive conflict management and security framework and has made significant achievements in conflict management in the West African sub-region. It however, recommends peacebuilding efforts that address poverty, human rights abuses and election fraud as well as more synergy and political will to handle religious extremism in the sub-region
Academic Cheating in School: A Process of Dissonance Between Knowledge and Conduct
Authors: Pramadi Andrian , Pali Marthen , Hanurawan Fattah , Atmoko Adi
Published: November 2017

Academic cheating behavior in schools have been discussed and reported. Students display academic cheating behavior during tests, quizzes, or tasks. The dynamics of academic cheating behavior is complex and not easily explained with just one factor. The external factors such as peer influence, teacher’s teaching methods, parental pressure, and academic climate are factors that interact with each other to bring out student academic cheating behavior. The grades or numbers from the tests, quizzes, or tasks are used to represent the students’ academic performance in school. On junior high school, cheating is already common, generally conducted during tests or quizzes in the form of copying the answers of other students and cooperating on the test. This research is a preliminary quantitative study in the attempt to describe academic cheating behavior on 139 grade XII junior high school students. Sample collection was conducted with “multistage random stratified sampling” or graded/leveled random collection method, which is a sample collection method with population units grouped into homogeneous groups. Research results showed that there were no correlation between students’ knowledge of plagiarizing behavior with the behavior appearance (r = -.0.096, p = 0.260) and between knowledge of cheating behavior with the behavior appearance (r = -0.08, p = 0.925). However, there was a difference on the appearance of plagiarizing behavior reviewed from the knowledge of plagiarism (F = 2.303, p = 0.038) while there was no difference on cheating behavior reviewed from the knowledge of cheating (F = 1.18, p = 0.355). This showed that the frequency of students conducting cheating or plagiarizing behavior was not merely based on their level of knowledge.
Crystal structure of dimethanol-bis{3-(((2-oxidonaphthalen-1-yl)methylene)amino)-2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-olato-κ3
O,N:O′}dizinc(II), C42H30Zn2N2O10
Authors: Su Qiong , Wang Yan-Bin
Published: November 2017

C42H30Zn2N2O10, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 8.5451(9) Å, b = 11.6897(12) Å, c = 18.4893(19) Å, β = 100.733(3)°, Z = 2, V = 1814.6(3) Å3, R
gt(F) = 0.0404, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1029, T = 296(2) K.
Crystal structure of tetrakis(methanol-κO)bis{3-((4-methoxy-2-oxidobenzylidene)amino)-2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-olato-κ3
O,N,O′}bicobalt(II), C38H38Co2N2O14
Authors: Jia Hao-Ran , Li Jing , Sun Yin-Xia
Published: November 2017

C38H38Co2N2O14, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 9.7459(5) Å, b = 7.9026(7) Å, c = 24.0622(15) Å, β = 100.260(5)°, Z = 2, V = 1823.6(2) Å3, R
gt(F) = 0.0576, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1201, T = 293(2) K.
The crystal structure of 1,2-bis(3-(pyridin-3-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)ethane, C16H12N6O2
Authors: Liu Fei , Fang Huang , Zhang Fang , Chen Qifan
Published: November 2017

C16H12N6O2, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 4.791(5) Å, b = 28.156(5) Å, c = 5.747(5) Å, β = 109.941(5)°, V = 728.8(10) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.0407, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0998, T = 293(2) K.
Hoya Eyegenius®: New Method for Measuring and Correcting Fixation Disparity
Authors: Schroth Volkhard , Prenat Olga , Vlasak Natalia , Crelier Roger
Published: November 2017

Many things interfere with good binocular vision in nowadays modern digital environment: long periods spent looking at screens and switching between different digital devices at short distances. Vision-related or asthenopic complaints such as headaches, tired and burning eyes or blurred vision can be experienced by many people. Prescribing prismatic correction for fixation disparity can help to reduce these symptoms. A new, highly innovative method for measuring and correcting fixation disparity has been developed - HOYA EyeGenius®. The HOYA EyeGenius® method includes the unique examination procedures, pre-tests and fixation disparity measurements at far and near distances. The pre-tests allow to include patients with asthenopic complaints only with normal binocular vision and exclude cases with abnormal binocular vision. The main innovation of EyeGenius is based on direct conversion of the fixation disparity value into a prism amount. Therefore, the trial prismatic lenses are not used during the test. The use of digital devices makes this method interactive and minimizes the influence of the examiner.
Polyamines, folic acid supplementation and cancerogenesis
Authors: Bjelakovic Gordana , Stojanovic Ivana , Stoimenov Tatjana Jevtovic , Pavlovic Dusica , Kocic Gordana , Bjelakovic Goran B. , Sokolovic Dusan , Basic Jelena
Published: November 2017

Clinical practice and experimental studies have shown the necessity of sufficient quantities of folic acid intake for normal embryogenesis and fetal development in the prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs) and neurological malformations. So, women of childbearing age must be sure to have an adequate folate intake periconceptionally, prior to and during pregnancy. Folic acid fortification of all enriched cereal grain product flour has been implemented in many countries. Thus, hundreds of thousands of people have been exposed to an increased intake of folic acid. Folate plays an essential role in the biosynthesis of methionine. Methionine is the principal aminopropyl donor required for polyamine biosynthesis, which is up-regulated in actively growing cells, including cancer cells. Folates are important in RNA and DNA synthesis, DNA stability and integrity. Clinical and epidemiological evidence links folate deficiency to DNA damage and cancer. On the other hand, long-term folate oversupplementation leads to adverse toxic effects, resulting in the appearance of malignancy. Considering the relationship of polyamines and rapidly proliferating tissues (especially cancers), there is a need for better investigation of the relationship between the ingestion of high amounts of folic acid in food supplementation and polyamine metabolism, related to malignant processes in the human body.
Private or Public Law Enforcement? The Case of Digital Anti-Piracy Policies with Illegal Non-Monitored Behaviors
Authors: Darmon Eric , Le Texier Thomas
Published: November 2017

Should rights be publicly or privately enforced in the case of digital piracy? The emergence of large-scale anti-piracy laws and the existence of illegal non-monitored channels raise important issues for the design of anti-piracy policies. We study the impact of these demand-side policies in two enforcement settings (namely, public and private enforcement settings) with an outside adoption option for users of an illegal non-monitored channel. Our results show that public enforcement generates higher monitoring and lower price levels, and also higher legal welfare than private enforcement. However, we identify potential conflicts of interest between the legal seller and the social planner when the efficiency of the illegal non-monitored channel is low. Introducing supply-side policies, i.e. policies targeted to suppliers of illegal content, we find that they may have unexpected impacts and can damage legal welfare. We also identify situations in which the two policies are substitutes or complements.
The ternary phases Cu1.5−x
Li1+x
Sb and Cu4+x
Li1−x
Sb2, and their structural relations
Authors: Beutl Alexander , Effenberger Herta Silvia , Flandorfer Hans
Published: November 2017

In the course of investigations on the phase relations in the Cu–Li–Sb system, two yet unknown ternary phases, namely Cu1.5−x
Li1+x
Sb and Cu4+x
Li1−x
Sb2 were synthesized and characterized by powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments. Both title compounds show hexagonal symmetry (a=4.3593(10)/4.2512(9), c=14.445(5)/22.336(7) Å, space groups P63
mc and P6̅m2). Strong structural relations are evident among each other and to the compound Cu2−x
Li1−x
Sb (a=4.3415(8), c=7.448(2) Å, space group P63/mmc). The symmetry change of the different structures goes along with a multiplication of c whereas the lattice parameter a is roughly maintained. The Sb atoms are more or less ordered. Cu and Li atoms are extensively disordered, vacancies are common. The substructure formed by the Sb atoms is densely packed, the stacking sequence of the compounds Cu1.5−x
Li1+x
Sb, Cu4+x
Li1−x
Sb2 and Cu2−x
Li1−x
Sb is ABAC, ABCACB, and AB, respectively.
8. Kapitel, Der Arbeitstag – Systematisches zu einem historisch verstandenen Kapitel
Authors: Bensch Hans-Georg
Published: November 2017

Das Kapitel „Der Arbeitstag“ hat augenscheinlich einen völlig anderen Charakter als die vorherigen Kapitel in
Geldtheorie ohne Fetischcharakter: zur problematischen Rezeption des ersten Kapitalbandes bei Uno Kōzō und der Uno-Schule
Authors: Lange Elena Louisa
Published: November 2017

Der Titel des Beitrags scheint nicht nur, sondern ist zweideutig. Zum einen wird hier mit dem japanischen Ökonomen Uno Kōzō (1897–1977) und der Uno-Schule in Anlehnung an Marx eine
Marx in the Anthropocene: Value, Metabolic Rift, and the Non-Cartesian Dualism
Authors: Saito Kohei
Published: November 2017

Characteristic to the Anthropocene is global ecological crisis that humans have created without knowing any effective solution. Beyond the division of humanities, social sciences and natural sciences, there thus emerged a series of serious attempts to figure out an adequate theoretical framework for comprehending the formation, development and future of the Anthropocene. Ecological Marxists also actively participate in this discussion to problematize the relationship between the Anthropocene and capitalism, which results in a new debate. While second-stage ecosocialists such as John Bellamy Foster and Paul Burkett are trying to connect the general issues of the Anthropocene to the concept of the ‘metabolic rift’, Jason W. Moore not only replaces the concept of the Anthropocene with the ‘Capitalocene’ and rejects the metabolic rift approach as falling into the ‘Cartesian division’, which cannot aptly theorize the nature of today’s crisis. Critically analyzing Moore’s ‘monist’ understanding of the history of capitalist development, this paper examines why Marx used apparently ‘dualist’ terminologies in his analysis. Moore claims that his post-Cartesian approach is the correct interpretation of Marx’s political economy, but a closer examination of Marx’s method reveals his non-Cartesian dualism, which functions as a basis for a radical critique of today’s ecological crisis. Furthermore, this paper argues that Marx’s theory of metabolism must be understood in relation to his intensive research on natural sciences and non-Western societies to envision possibilities of the revolutionary subjectivity.
Synthesis and structural characterization of Li3K3Eu7(BO3)9
Authors: Bräuchle Sebastian , Seibald Markus , Huppertz Hubert
Published: November 2017

Li3K3Eu7(BO3)9 was prepared by high-temperature solid state synthesis at 900°C in a platinum crucible from lithium carbonate, potassium carbonate, boric acid, and europium(III) oxide. The title compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pca21 (no. 29) (Z=4). The structure was refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data: a=21.126(2), b=6.502(2), c=17.619(2) Å, V=2420.1(2) Å3, R1=0.0183 and wR2=0.0412 for all data. The crystal structure of Li3K3Eu7(BO3)9 is isotypic to Li3K3Y7(BO3)9 featuring isolated BO3 units and LiO6 octahedra forming [Li3B4O21] units in the ac plane, which are linked by additional BO3 units. The K+ and Eu3+ cations are arranged in the cavities of the structure.
Ideje reformne pedagogije u djelovanju Miljenka Vidovića u Bosni i Hercegovini
Authors: Šušnjara Snježana
Published: November 2017

Uspješan prosvjetni radnik mora, uz profesionalnu (stručnu), posjedovati i socijalnu kompetenciju (emocionalne i socijalne vještine). Cilj istraživanja je utvrđivanje razlika u socijalnim vještinama i kompetencijama prosvjetnih radnika Srednjobosanskog i Zeničko-dobojskog kantona u odnosu na: dob, radni staž, stupanj obrazovanja te vrstu zanimanja prosvjetnog radnika. Ispitana su 272 sudionika različitih prosvjetnih profila iz privatnih ili javnih odgojno-obrazovnih ustanova, primjenom Upitnika odgojiteljskih kompetencija te Inventara socijalnih vještina. Utvrđeno je postojanje statistički značajnih razlika u skupu socijalnih vještina i kompetenciji, prema sociodemografskim obilježjima: stupnju obrazovanja sudionika, dobi, radnom iskustvu i vrsti zanimanja. Sudionici dobne grupe u rasponu 31 - 40 godina imaju najveću emocionalnu kontrolu. U emocionalnoj i socijalnoj kontroli prednjače sudionici s visokom stručnom spremom. Radno najneiskusniji sudionici superiorni su u vještinama emocionalne kontrole i socijalne izražajnosti. Direktori su superiorni u odnosu na ostale profile zanimanja u socijalnoj izražajnosti i socijalnoj kontroli. Stoga programe treninga socijalnih vještina treba prilagoditi socio-demografskom profilu prosvjetnog radnika.
Genealogija koncepta cjeloživotnog učenja
Authors: Lukenda Anita
Published: November 2017

Svrha ovoga rada je pružiti razjašnjenje značenja koncepta cjeloživotnog učenja prateći njegov nastanak i razvoj. Polazi se od suvremenog značenja cjeloživotnog učenja a zatim se govori o tome kada, kako i zašto je taj pojam nastao pri čemu se pravi razlika između pojma cjeloživotnog učenja kao ideje i pojma cjeloživotnog učenja kao obrazovno-političkog konstrukta. Navodi se određenje koncepta cjeloživotnog učenja UNESCO-a, OECD-a, Vijeća Europe i Europske Unije koje je autorica iznašla korištenjem metode analize sadržaja na uzorku od ukupno osam ključnih dokumenata navedenih organizacija u okviru dviju razvojnih faza. Pružaju se i definicije pojmova srodnih pojmu cjeloživotnog učenja kako bi se ukazalo na razlike u njihovom i značenju cjeloživotnog učenja. Navode se i razmatraju različite orijentacije, odnosno stajališta o konceptu cjeloživotnog učenja. Na kraju se govori o razlozima zbog kojih je stariji koncept cjeloživotnog obrazovanja zamijenjen novijim konceptom cjeloživotnog učenja.
Decorin, a growth hormone-regulated protein in humans
Authors: Bahl Neha , Stone Glenn , McLean Mark , Ho Ken K Y , Birzniece Vita
Published: November 2017

Context

Growth hormone (GH) stimulates connective tissue and muscle growth, an effect that is potentiated by testosterone. Decorin, a myokine and a connective tissue protein, stimulates connective tissue accretion and muscle hypertrophy. Whether GH and testosterone regulate decorin in humans is not known.

Objective

To determine whether decorin is stimulated by GH and testosterone.

Design

Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.

Participants and Intervention

96 recreationally trained athletes (63 men, 33 women) received 8 weeks of treatment followed by a 6-week washout period. Men received placebo, GH (2 mg/day), testosterone (250 mg/week) or combination. Women received either placebo or GH (2 mg/day).

Main outcome measure

Serum decorin concentration.

Results

GH treatment significantly increased mean serum decorin concentration by 12.7 ± 4.2%; P < 0.01. There was a gender difference in the decorin response to GH, with greater increase in men than in women (∆ 16.5 ± 5.3%; P < 0.05 compared to ∆ 9.4 ± 6.5%; P = 0.16). Testosterone did not significantly change serum decorin. Combined GH and testosterone treatment increased mean decorin concentration by 19.5 ± 3.7% (P < 0.05), a change not significantly different from GH alone.

Conclusion

GH significantly increases circulating decorin, an effect greater in men than in women. Decorin is not affected by testosterone. We conclude that GH positively regulates decorin in humans in a gender-dimorphic manner.
Improving Clinical Teachers’ Access To Faculty Development Education
Authors: Koppula Sudha , Babenko Oksana
Published: November 2017

This article was migrated. The article was not marked as recommended. This is a personal view from a Family Medicine faculty development director on how she became interested in medical education, specifically faculty development, and became a leader in this field. The article describes how she determined that there were issues with accessing professional development events among the department faculty, and her attempt to improve access using innovative strategies and creative faculty development programming. Collaboration with a medical education research colleague to evaluate the resulting faculty development programme is described as key to determining if access to faculty development education is improved, and if the education provided is valuable to the department faculty members.
O Programa Bolsa Família e as condicionalidades de saúde: desafios da coordenação intergovernamental e intersetorial
Authors: Moraes Verena Duarte de , Machado Cristiani Vieira
Published: November 2017

RESUMO A existência de condicionalidades de saúde em programas de transferência de renda é controversa e exige coordenação entre áreas sociais. O objetivo do estudo foi discutir as condicionalidades de saúde do Programa Bolsa Família, considerando as diretrizes nacionais, as relações intergovernamentais e intersetoriais. Envolveu revisão bibliográfica, análise documental, análise de dados secundários e realização de 20 entrevistas. Observaram-se fragilidades nas relações entre esferas de governo e setores na gestão do programa. Não houve evidências de que a existência e o acompanhamento das condicionalidades da saúde per se contribuam para o direito à saúde e interrupção do ciclo de pobreza.
Silvicultural performance of forest species introduced in integrated livestock forest system in Lavras, MG, Brazil
Authors: Nieri Erick Martins , Macedo Renato Luiz Grisi , Venturin Nelson , Venturin Regis Pereira , Pinto Júnior José Alvim , Melo Lucas Amaral de
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate the silvicultural performance of four forest species introduced in a setting for integrated livestock forest (ILF) in a pasture in Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The species included were the Australian red cedar (seminal and clonal), African mahogany, teak, and guanandi. A split plot scheme with a randomized complete block design comprising four replicates and 48 plants per plot, was used in the following arrangement: (3(3x2) +7x2) m. The evaluation times (12, 18, 31, 36, and 43 months after planting) corresponded to the subplots. Performances of all four species were evaluated on the basis of their survival rate, height (H) and diameter at breast height (DBH). Based on the performance of the species with regard to these parameters, the clonal Australian red cedar showed a greater growth in DBH and height in the ILF setting as compared to the other species, which indicates it to be a suitable species for the region of Lavras, MG as long as its survival control occurs in the implantation phase.
Corneal endothelial cell density and morphology in rabbits’ eyes using contact specular microscopy
Authors: Brambatti Gustavo , Albuquerque Luciane de , Vargas Eduarda Valim Borges de , Neumann Carolina Fonseca , Pigatto João Antonio Tadeu
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT: The goal of this study was to describe the normal values of corneal endothelial cell density and hexagonality in healthy rabbits’ eyes using contact specular microscopy. Both eyes of 18 rabbits, males and females, of different ages were evaluated. The eyes were divided into three groups of 12 each according to the age range of the animals: G1 (6 months old), G2 (12 months old), and G3 (48 months old). Parameters studied included mean endothelial cell density and hexagonality. For Group I, the mean cell density was 2307 cells per mm2. For GII, the mean cell density was 1895 cells per mm2. For G III, the mean cell density was 1818 cells per mm2. Cell density decreased significantly with aging (P<0.001) among the three groups. Pleomorphism in the rabbits of GI was 74.33±10.08. In the rabbits of GII it was 71.83±11.38. In the rabbits of GIII it was 64.02±28.80. Significant differences (P<0.001) were evident between GI and GIII and GII and GIII but not between Groups I and II. The results showed a decrease in number of cells and hexagonality with aging. Corneal endothelium of rabbits suffers changes due to advancing age both in terms of cell density and morphology.
Attitudes of South Brazilian sheep farmers to animal welfare and sentience
Authors: Tamioso Priscilla Regina , Guimarães Paulo Ricardo Bittencourt , Molento Carla Forte Maiolino
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT: We investigated self-reported attitudes of 148 South Brazilian sheep farmers to animal welfare and sentience. Many farmers (73.0%) knew animal welfare superficially. Farmers that worked for longer in the sheep industry and that raised sheep for commercial purposes mentioned more commonly that they had knowledge about animal welfare (P<0.05). Terms related to freedom from hunger, thirst and malnutrition were the most used to define animal welfare, cited 24.9% of the times. The majority claimed that their animals experience good levels of welfare (93.2%), especially farmers that kept bigger flocks (P<0.05). However, many respondents believed that sheep welfare could be improved on their farms (71.6%), mainly farmers with less experience in the sheep industry (P<0.01). High scores of sentience were attributed to sheep by farmers with frequent contact with their animals (P<0.05). According to the farmers, castration causes the highest levels of suffering to sheep (32.4%) and shearing, the lowest (50.0%). South Brazilian farmer knowledge about animal welfare, attitudes to sentience and recognition of suffering need improvement.
CONEXÕES ENTRE PESQUISA E ASSISTÊNCIA: DESAFIOS EMERGENTES PARA A CIÊNCIA, A INOVAÇÃO E A TECNOLOGIA NA ENFERMAGEM
Authors: Silva Ítalo Rodolfo , Leite Joséte Luzia , Trevizan Maria Auxiliadora , Silva Thiago Privado da , José Sabrina Ayd Pereira
Published: November 2017

RESUMO Objetivo: compreender os significados que permeiam as conexões entre a produção/resultados de pesquisa e o processo de trabalho da enfermagem no âmbito assistencial. Método: pesquisa do tipo explicativa, de abordagem qualitativa, que teve como referenciais teórico e metodológico, respectivamente, a Teoria da Complexidade e a Teoria Fundamentada nos Dados. Os dados foram coletados com 25 sujeitos, distribuídos em três grupos amostrais: dez enfermeiros assistenciais, vinculados a um hospital universitário; seis enfermeiros pesquisadores e nove estudantes de graduação em enfermagem. A entrevista semiestruturada foi utilizada como técnica de coleta de dados. A pesquisa foi validada por dez juízes de diferentes regiões do Brasil. Resultados: apresenta-se a categoria: Enfrentando desafios emergentes da enfermagem na era da ciência, inovação e tecnologia, alicerçada pelas subcategorias: Pontos de partida para uma enfermagem contextualizada: da produção científica ao consumo de resultados de pesquisa; e Conexões fragilizadas entre produção científica e prática assistencial da enfermagem. Conclusão: os sistemas de significados que influenciam as conexões entre pesquisa científica e prática assistencial da enfermagem são estruturados e fortalecidos por fenômenos plurais, dentre os quais estão as inflexões negativas do processo de comunicação, presença e pertencimento dos pares, entre quem produz pesquisa e quem poderá consumi-la.
Alkalinized sewage sludge application improves fertility of acid soils
Authors: Barbosa Julierme Zimmer , Poggere Giovana Clarice , Dalpisol Maristela , Serrat Beatriz Monte , Bittencourt Simone , Motta Antonio Carlos Vargas
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT Although it is known that alkalinized sewage sludge raises the pH of acid soils, there is limited knowledge regarding its effects on other soil fertility indicators, such as P and K availability and soil organic C content. Thus, the goal of this study was to evaluate how the application of alkalinized sewage sludge affects the fertility of acid soil. Twenty sewage treatment plants were selected throughout Paraná State (Brazil), and samples of alkalinized sewage sludge and samples of the most representative agricultural soil of the region were collected (covering soils with medium, clayey or very clayey texture). Each soil was incubated for 60 days with doses of sewage sludge (0, 10, 20, 40, and 80 Mg ha-1) from its region and equivalent doses of limestone. The alkalinized sewage sludge was superior to limestone in the correction of soil acidity (pH, Al3+, and H + Al3+) and P and Ca2+ availability. The sludge also increased Mg2+ availability in all soils, K+ in seven soils and organic C in three soils. The very clayey soils (higher buffering capacity) supported higher sludge doses than did clayey and medium texture soils. The alkalinized sewage sludge application in acid soils proved to be an interesting alternative to recycling this type of waste, because it improved soil fertility and could reduce costs associated with soil management and crop fertilization.
Spatial distribution of the litter carbon stock in the Cerrado biome in Minas Gerais state, Brazil
Authors: Morais Vinícus Augusto , Mello José Marcio de , Mello Carlos Rogério de , Silva Carlos Alberto , Scolforo José Roberto Soares
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT Litter corresponds to the layer of decomposing dead organic matter present on the soil surface. This layer is very important for nutrient cycling and contributes with organic matter accumulation in the soil, besides the carbon stock. The objective herein was to quantify the carbon biomass, both content and stock, and map the litter C-stock in the Cerrado biome, which is formed by Savanna Grassland (SG), Cerrado Stricto Sensu (CE) and Forest Savanna (FS), in Minas Gerais state, southeastern Brazil. The data were collected in 26 fragments in Minas Gerais state, totaling 210 sampling locations. A variographic study was conducted and, for mapping, the ordinary kriging method was used for delimitation of homogeneous zones. It was possible to detect high variability in the carbon biomass, carbon content and C-stock in the Cerrado biome litter in Minas Gerais state. The carbon content presented lower variability, ranging from 40 to 44%, so that it is not responsible for explaining the variability of the litter C-stock. Savanna Grassland and Savanna Forest present, respectively, the lowest and highest C-stocks. C-stock presented a considerable spatial structure dependence, allowing to use the geostatistical procedures for mapping it in the Cerrado biome of the Minas Gerais state. The C-stock kriging map showed good accuracy, allowing to verify that the lowest C-stocks in the litter are found from the center to the northern of the Minas Gerais since the highest air temperatures are also verified in this direction.
Evapotranspiration and crop coefficients of Moringa oleifera under semi-arid conditions in Pernambuco
Authors: Santos Célia S. dos , Montenegro Abelardo A. de A. , Santos Márcio A. L. dos , Pedrosa Elvira M. R.
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT Efficient water use in agriculture is fundamental, especially in semi-arid regions where water scarcity is intense. The aim of this study was to estimate water requirements and crop coefficients in the different phenological stages of Moringa oleifera. The experiment was carried out from February to April 2015 at the Experimental Unit for Reuse and Hydrological Management, located in Mutuca, PE (7º 15’ 18’’ S, 35º 52’’ 40’’ W, 550 m). A lysimeter was used to estimate crop evapotranspiration. Reference evapotranspiration (ETo) was estimated by indirect methods. In the lysimeter, soil salinity and leaf water potential of the crop were monitored. The direct and indirect methods presented an excellent performance compared with the standard grass-lysimeter, especially Hargreaves-Samani, which presented a remarkable result for the study area. Crop coefficients (Kc) ranged from 0.73 to 1.73 in the different phenological stages. Moringa crop evapotranspiration (ETc) exhibited temporal variations, with a cumulative rate of 139.8 mm, for a cumulative reference evapotranspiration of 130.97 mm. Moringa plants showed slight water restriction, at the times of lower solar radiation.
Drying kinetics and physical and chemical characterization of white-fleshed ‘pitaya’ peels
Authors: Santos Francislaine S. dos , Figueirêdo Rossana M. F. de , Queiroz Alexandre J. de M. , Santos Dyego da C.
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to obtain the drying kinetic curves of white-fleshed ‘pitaya’ peels and characterize the obtained powder regarding physical and chemical parameters. Different mathematical models were fitted to the experimental data of drying kinetics, considering the coefficient of determination (R2), mean square deviation (MSD) and residual distribution as fit criteria. The peels had an initial moisture content of 93.38% (w.b.) and final moisture contents of 5.39% at temperature of 50 °C, 5.27% at 60 °C and 4.40% at 70 °C. After drying, the peels were disintegrated to obtain the powders and characterized for moisture content, reducing sugars, total titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, betacyanins, betaxanthins, water activity and color, in order to evaluate the influence of temperature on the quality of powders. The Page model was the one that best fitted to the experimental data, presenting coefficient of determination higher than 0.998, mean square deviation lower than 0.02 and random distribution of residuals. Increment in drying air temperature promoted increase of pH, ascorbic acid, luminosity and yellowness, and reduction of moisture content, reducing sugars, acidity, betacyanins, betaxanthins, water activity and redness. Considering the retention of betalains, the drying temperature of 50 °C is the most suitable for the production and use of ‘pitaya’ peel powder.
Sampling strategies to estimate suspended sediment concentration for turbidimeter calibration
Authors: Dalbianco Leandro , Ramon Rafael , Barros Claudia A. P. de , Minella Jean P. G. , Merten Gustavo H. , Didoné Elizeu J.
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT The influx of sediments carried by rivers can be measured continuously using a turbidimeter through the indirect relationship between turbidity and suspended sediment concentration (SSC). However, this process is dependent on obtaining water samples with suspended sediments to calibrate the turbidimeter. Sampling can be carried out through different methods, resulting in errors and uncertainties in estimating the SSC. Four different possibilities for the composition of the calibration curve were tested in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the turbidimeter calibration for different sampling strategies. The study was conducted in 2012 and 2013 in two catchments in southern Brazil that had a strong sediment yield impact. The results indicate that sampling during rainfall events generate a significant and representative SSC for the turbidimeter calibration. The use of an integrating sampler for synthetic samples provides an effective calibration, but overestimates SSC compared to calibration from rainfall event sampling. The samples collected at fixed intervals - weekly and daily - generated an insufficient amount of data and are not representative of real sediment concentrations of the catchments.