bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Overview on Analysis of Free Metabolites for Detection of Exposure to Chemical Warfare Agents
Authors: Grigoriu Nicoleta , Epure Gabriel , Moşteanu Dănuţ
Published: July 2016

Chemical warfare agents (CWA’s) induce complex toxicological effects with major adverse consequences for those exposed. For many chemical agents there is a need for research and development of analytical toxicological methods for a rapid and certain confirmation of those exposures. The certain methods will help for establishing the laboratory diagnosis for applying the proper therapy; the treatment of only contaminated people, decreasing the stress level in the medical community in management of crisis situations, increasing the survival rate of the population exposed to the contamination, supervision of professional exposure, judicial analysis in case of suspicious terrorist activities.

The paper presents some analytical toxicological methods for detection, identification and confirmation of metabolites from urine samples, based on the metabolism/hydrolysis processes of CWA’s.
Identification of Behavioral Risk Factors During Pregnancy
Authors: Ruţa Florina , Tarcea Monica , Stere Victoria , Abram Zoltan , Avram Călin
Published: July 2016

Exposure to smoking during pregnancy is known to be one of the main modifiable risk factors, which threatens maternal and child health. Along with this factor, are not to be neglected also other risk factors belonging to lifestyle sphere, such as alcohol, sedentary, irregular daily meal serving plan, lack of knowledge.

Main objective is identification of behavioral risk factors during pregnancy in a group of recently given birth women, hospitalized in three maternities of Tirgu Mures County.
Political Evolution at NATO Level in Post Cold War Era
Authors: Tomescu Cătălin Tomiţă
Published: July 2016

The beginning of the post Cold era sounds like that: „The world has changed dramatically. The Alliance has made an essential contribution. The peoples of North America and the whole of Europe can now join in a community of shared values based on freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. As an agent of change, a source of stability and the indispensable guarantor of its members' security, our Alliance will continue to play a key role in building a new, lasting order of peace in Europe: a Europe of cooperation and prosperity”[1].
Managers and Organizational Citizenship Behavior
Authors: Man Mihaela
Published: July 2016

In this research on the one hand we analyzed the relationship that exists in terms of motivational persistence and the Big Five dimensions and, on the other hand, organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). The results show that the conscientiousness has been identified as being in a significant positive relationship with OCB. This result is consistent with the data provided by previous researchers. The results also indicate that three conscientiousness facets are in a positive relationship with OCB. These three conscientiousness facets are self-efficacy, cautiousness and orderliness. Agreeableness was not identified as being associated with OCB. At the level of the relationship between motivational persistence factors and OCB, we have identified a significant positive relationship with only one factor: current purpose pursuing. The OCB model has two variables that work best as predictors: high scores with regard to current purpose in terms of the pursuing-motivational persistence factor, and low scores in terms of the imagination-facet of openness to experience.
Financial Supporting Tools of Rural Tourism Development in Nitra Self-Governing Region
Authors: Jarábková Jana , Majstríková Ľubica , Kozolka Tomáš
Published: July 2016

Rural tourism is one of the opportunities, which can positively influence productivity and incomes in rural areas. European Union set the rural development as part of its priorities. This development has been conducted through several measures aimed at education, cooperation, municipality development, ecological agriculture, diversification of economic activities, etc. Rural tourism is a result of diversification of economic activities towards non-agricultural activities. The paper focuses on analysing financial tools of support used for rural tourism development. Development projects realized in the Nitra Self-governing Region (NSR) during programming period 2007 - 2013 (plus 2 years) are evaluated. These projects have been financed through different grant schemes created by the European Union (realised by Ministries, Local Action Groups, Agricultural Paying Agency) and also by the Nitra Self-governing Region. The paper also illustrates the localisation of approved projects and their purpose.
Three-component one-pot synthesis of dihydrochromeno[4,3-b]pyrazolo[4,3-e]pyridines
Authors: Sadat-Ebrahimi Seyed Esmail , Katebi Shirin , Pirali-Hamedani Morteza , Moghimi Setareh , Yahya-Meymandi Azadeh , Mahdavi Mohammad , Shafiee Abbas , Foroumadi Alireza
Published: July 2016

A series of dihydrochromeno[4,3-b]pyrazolo[4,3-e]pyridines has been synthesized using a simple and efficient one-pot, three-component procedure. The products were obtained in good yields in the presence of heterogeneous nanoporous acid catalyst (SBA-Pr-SO3H).
Developing explicit measures of stereotypes and anti-Roma prejudice in Slovakia: Conceptual and methodological challenges
Authors: Lášticová Barbara , Findor Andrej
Published: July 2016

The paper discusses the conceptual and methodological challenges of developing measures of stereotypes and prejudice for use in Slovakia. Developing these measures was the first step in a research project aimed at testing the effectiveness of direct and indirect contact interventions to reduce prejudice against stigmatized minorities, particularly the Roma. The first major problem in this kind of research relates to measuring the impact of interventions, as standardized instruments for measuring prejudice have yet to be developed in Slovak. The second problem concerns the risk that the interventions will fail to reduce anti-Roma prejudice, because of the strong stigmatization of the Roma minority in Slovakia. The paper also reviews existing measures of stereotypes and prejudice in social psychology and discusses their applicability for measuring anti-Roma prejudice in Slovakia. It is argued that measures of stereotypes and prejudice should be designed and used in a sensitive manner and that in the process of measuring various forms of social bias we should avoid reproducing its cognitive, emotional and behavioural manifestations.
Teachers as researchers? Assessing impact of pedagogical interventions on pupils’ attitudes1
Authors: Dráľ Peter , Findor Andrej
Published: July 2016

The paper suggests that there is a gap between the research on prejudice in Slovak schools and the pedagogical interventions used to reduce them, particularly in relation to the Roma minority. It highlights the existing curricular requirements for dealing with intergroup relations, stereotypes and prejudice, contrasting them with the organizational, methodological and practical constraints teachers face when trying to meet them. Drawing from experience of piloting alternative tools for measuring attitudes, designing interventions and assessing impact, the article describes one possible way of bridging the gap.
Financing Constraints and Firm Growth in Emerging Europe
Authors: Leitner Sandra M.
Published: July 2016

The paper aims to shed light on the effects of different types of financing constraints on firm sales and employment growth in Emerging Europe before and after the onset of the financial crisis. It analyzes the group of emerging NMS-10 economies (plus Turkey) and the group of economically and financially lagging Western Balkan countries. The paper demonstrates that financing constraints significantly obstruct firm growth, particularly in the Western Balkan countries, which calls for policy intervention to ensure swifter job-rich growth and catching-up with the rest of Europe. It also emphasizes that particular firm characteristics are essential for growth in Emerging Europe and demonstrates that exporting only and innovating are recipes for faster firm growth, while importing only and a high foreign ownership share seriously retard firm growth. Finally, it stresses the importance of the particular institutional environment for firms to thrive.
Solution of radiative transfer theory problems for ‘realistic’ models of random media using the Monte Carlo method
Authors: Ambos Andrey Yu. , Mikhailov Gennady A.
Published: July 2016

A methodology of efficient homogenization of a radiation model for a stochastic media is developed. In this connection, ‘realistic’ computational models of random fields are constructed, implementations of those fields are close to continuous ones, and the conditional one-dimensional distribution in the nonempty part of the medium is quite natural. It is shown that the corresponding homogenized probability of the passage of a quantum particle is actually determined by the correlation scale and the occupancy of the medium and also by the above conditional distribution.
An application of a data assimilation method based on the diffusion stochastic process theory using altimetry data in Atlantic
Authors: Belyaev Konstantin P. , Kuleshov Andrey A. , Tanajura Clemente A. S.
Published: July 2016

A data assimilation (DA) method based on the application of the diffusion stochastic process theory, particularly, of the Fokker-Planck equation, is considered. The method was introduced in the previous works; however, it is substantially modified and extended to the multivariate case in the current study. For the first time, the method is here applied to the assimilation of sea surface height anomalies (SSHA) into the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) over the Atlantic Ocean. The impact of assimilation of SSHA is investigated and compared with the assimilation by an Ensemble Optimal Interpolation method (EnOI). The time series of the analyses produced by both assimilation methods are evaluated against the results from a free model run without assimilation. This study shows that the proposed assimilation technique has some advantages in comparison with EnOI analysis. Particularly, it is shown that it provides slightly smaller error and is computationally efficient. The method may be applied to assimilate other data such as observed sea surface temperature and vertical profiles of temperature and salinity.
Numerical modelling of coupled neutral atmospheric general circulation and ionosphere D region
Authors: Kulyamin Dmitry V , Dymnikov Valentin P.
Published: July 2016

The paper presents a new neutral atmosphere and ionosphere D region coupled general circulation model (for altitudes of 0-90 km) with a high spatial resolution. Efficient numerical methods of its implementation are developed. The properties of differential formulation for a plasma-chemical model of ionosphere D region are studied, the existence of a global attractor in the non-negative half of the phase space is proved, an efficient semi-implicit numerical scheme possessing the charge conservation law is constructed to solve the system. The problem of radio waves propagation in the ionosphere D region has been considered for the coupled model, we validated the model on the base of radio signals monitoring data and developed a computational unit for calculation of the radio signal attenuation in the lower ionosphere. A satisfactory reproduction of the D region mean state is shown and the ability to develope this model for use in applied tasks is indicated.
Block steepest descent method based on nonoverlapping domain decomposition, I
Authors: Kuznetsov Yuri A.
Published: July 2016

In the present paper we propose a new iterative method for the numerical solution of system of linear algebraic equations with symmetric positive definite and positive semidefinite matrices arising from the approximation of diffusion equations by the mixed hybrid finite element method on triangular and tetrahedral meshes. The method is based on a combination of the block steepest descent idea and nonoverlapping domain decomposition algorithm. We give the formulation of the method and a simple convergence estimate in the case of regular shaped quasiuniform meshes.
Antinociceptive activity of Tibouchina pereirae, an endemic plant from the Brazilian semiarid region
Authors: Dias Êuder Reis , Dias Thays de Lima Matos Freire , Alexandre-Moreira Magna Suzana , Branco Alexsandro
Published: July 2016

The anti-nociceptive activity of an extract of Tibouchina pereirae Aubl (AETP) was investigated using two models of chemically induced pain, viz. the acetic acid-induced writhing and the formalin test, respectively, with dipyrone and indomethacin as reference drugs, respectively. In the acetic acid-induced writhing test, AETP application (100 mg/kg) caused a significant reduction of writhing produced by acetic acid. In the formalin test, AETP reduced the formalin effects significantly only in the late phase. These findings thus indicate the involvement of AETP only in peripheral antinociceptive mechanisms. In addition, AETP exhibited good antioxidant activity (EC50 approx. 15 μg/mL) in the DPPH free radical scavenging assay.
The Status and Significance of the Theory of Social and Cultural Pluralism
Authors: Monsonis James A.
Published: July 2016

This is a paper tracing the history of an ideology, in the classical Marxist sense of the term: a framework of thought which purports to make sense of reality but which in fact masks its real dynamics, and which is developed in the service of class interest (Marx, 1970). The ideology in question here has to do with the ways in which social scientists conceptualize and analyse the dynamics of those societies usually described as the Third World. In recent years, following the failure of functionalism and such developmentalist schemas as Rostow's stages of economic growth, there has begun to emerge an interest in thinking about Third World societies in terms of social and cultural pluralism. It is this framework of thought which is to be examined here.
Britain, the International Spectrum, and the Eastern Question, 1827-1841
Authors: Davison Roderic H.
Published: July 2016

We commemorated in 1988 the sesquicentennial of the Convention of Balta Limani, the ground-breaking Ottoman-British commercial agreement that set a pattern for Ottoman agreements with other powers in the years immediately following. The Convention sprang from British interests and from Ottoman needs during the 1830s in the Near East. My function is to sketch the general international background for the Convention, to look at the situation of the Ottoman Empire, at British foreign policy in the early nineteenth century, and in particular at the development of British policy in the Near East in the years from 1827 to 1841. A subtitle indicating the desirable breadth of view might read “From Navarino (1827) to Nezib (1839), and from Hercules’ Pillars to Hormuz and Herat.”
Feminism in Turkey
Authors: Erol Sibel
Published: July 2016

Feminism in Turkey has reached a new exciting dimension in the last decade with the emergence of autonomous and multifarious female voices. Duygu Asena, an editor and novelist, has much to do with paving the way for the emergence of these voices. With her controversial writings and independent lifestyle, she is an icon of Turkish feminism, the Gloria Steinem of Turkish culture. As a proponent of staunch individualism, she has not allied herself with any group or movement. But through her editorials in Kadinca (Womanly) and two controversial novels, Kadinin Adi Yok (Woman Has No Name) and its sequel Aslinda Aşk da Yok (In Reality, Love Does Not Exist Either) that insist on female equality and autonomy, she has greatly shaped public opinion that has made possible the mobilization of other feminists.
Recruitment of Polysynaptic Connections Underlies Functional Recovery of a Neural Circuit after Lesion
Authors: Sakurai Akira , Tamvacakis Arianna N. , Katz Paul S.
Published: July 2016

The recruitment of additional neurons to neural circuits often occurs in accordance with changing functional demands. Here we found that synaptic recruitment plays a key role in functional recovery after neural injury. Disconnection of a brain commissure in the nudibranch mollusc,Tritonia diomedea, impairs swimming behavior by eliminating particular synapses in the central pattern generator (CPG) underlying the rhythmic swim motor pattern. However, the CPG functionally recovers within a day after the lesion. The strength of a spared inhibitory synapse within the CPG from Cerebral Neuron 2 (C2) to Ventral Swim Interneuron B (VSI) determines the level of impairment caused by the lesion, which varies among individuals. In addition to this direct synaptic connection, there are polysynaptic connections from C2 and Dorsal Swim Interneurons to VSI that provide indirect excitatory drive but play only minor roles under normal conditions. After disconnecting the pedal commissure (Pedal Nerve 6), the recruitment of polysynaptic excitation became a major source of the excitatory drive to VSI. Moreover, the amount of polysynaptic recruitment, which changed over time, differed among individuals and correlated with the degree of recovery of the swim motor pattern. Thus, functional recovery was mediated by an increase in the magnitude of polysynaptic excitatory drive, compensating for the loss of direct excitation. Since the degree of susceptibility to injury corresponds to existing individual variation in the C2 to VSI synapse, the recovery relied upon the extent to which the network reorganized to incorporate additional synapses.
Focused cardiac ultrasound is feasible in the general practice setting and alters diagnosis and management of cardiac disease
Authors: Yates James , Royse Colin Forbes , Royse Carolyn , Royse Alistair George , Canty David Jeffrey
Published: July 2016

Background: Ultrasound-assisted examination of the cardiovascular system with focused cardiac ultrasound by the treating physician is non-invasive and changes diagnosis and management of patient’s with suspected cardiac disease. This has not been reported in a general practice setting.

Aim: To determine whether focused cardiac ultrasound performed on patients aged over 50 years changes the diagnosis and management of cardiac disease by a general practitioner.

Design and setting: A prospective observational study of 80 patients aged over 50years and who had not received echocardiography or chest CT within 12months presenting to a general practice.

Method: Clinical assessment and management of significant cardiac disorders in patients presenting to general practitioners were recorded before and after focused cardiac ultrasound. Echocardiography was performed by a medical student with sufficient training, which was verified by an expert. Differences in diagnosis and management between conventional and ultrasound-assisted assessment were recorded.

Results and conclusion: Echocardiography and interpretation were acceptable in all patients. Significant cardiac disease was detected in 16 (20%) patients, including aortic stenosis in 9 (11%) and cardiac failure in 7 (9%), which were missed by clinical examination in 10 (62.5%) of these patients. Changes in management occurred in 12 patients (15% overall and 75% of those found to have significant cardiac disease) including referral for diagnostic echocardiography in 8 (10%), commencement of heart failure treatment in 3 (4%) and referral to a cardiologist in 1 patient (1%).

Routine focused cardiac ultrasound is feasible and frequently alters the diagnosis and management of cardiac disease in patients aged over 50years presenting to a general practice.
Naẓariyāt fī Takāmul al-‘Ulūm: Dirāsah Naqdīyah wa Ta’sīsīyah fī Thaqāfat al-Minangkabau
Authors: Wirman Eka Putra
Published: July 2016

This article aims at identifying various concepts of science at Islamic Universities in Indonesia, especially after the conversion of a number of State Islamic Institute (IAIN) into the State Islamic University (UIN). After analyzing the existing concepts and its shortcomings, this study offers a new pespective that is derived from Minangkabau local wisdom as an alternative. The study uses text analysis methods against various science concepts adopted by various state Islamic universities, such as “Web Spiders”; “Tree of Science”, and “Integration of Science” Through a comparative study between various opinions and work around the Minangkabau tradition, it was concluded that the current concepts being applied are mostly based on the dichotomy of science, where a discipline only applies in a particular period, and does not apply at other times. This sort of dichotomy in turn leads to a vacuum and underdevelopment, even shutting down the growth and progress of certain sciences. Therefore, this study offers a new scientific paradigm called “Tali Tigo Sapilin” which is based on local wisdom of Minangkabau culture with its characteristics, such as balance, synergy and collaboration.DOI: 10.15408/sdi.v23i1.2105
The Text of Conservatism: The Role of Abbas’ Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jamā‘ah in Underpinning Acehnese Current Religious Violence
Authors: Dhuhri Saifuddin
Published: July 2016

Considerable studies have been undertaken on Islamic sects and radicalisation. There is, however, little work on textual analysis of traditionalist book, which is regarded as traditionalist collective identity.  This article is a critical analysis of the term Ahl al-Sunnah Wa al-Jama`ah, with special reference to Sirajuddin Abbas’ book. ; I`tiqad Ahl al-Sunnah Wa al-Jama`ah. His articulation of the concept Ahl al-Sunnah Wa al-Jama`ah plays great role in radicalising traditionalist ideology and providing traditionalist Islamic activists the justification to go against Wahhabism. His interpretation of the concept is, however, strongly rejected by Wahhabis, because of imposing hatred and intolerance against Wahhabism. By using Fairlough’s critical analysis, I studied critically the content of Abbas’s book. Some concepts related to the articulation of Ahl al-Sunnah Wa al-Jama`ah are chosen and analysed to find the role of the book in underlying traditionalist ideology. Then, Abbas’ interpretations of the selected concepts are verified through the method of interview to unearth ideological articulation of Abbas’.DOI: 10.15408/sdi.v23i1.2405
Islam, Ethnicity and Secession: Forms of Cultural Mobilization in Aceh Rebellions
Authors: Munhanif Ali
Published: July 2016

This article explains the appeal of two different remarkable forms of cultural mobilization within the Aceh secessionist movement. The first form is the emergence of the Darul Islam (DI) rebellion in the 1950s; and the second is the rise of the Free Aceh Movement (Gerakan Aceh Merdeka, GAM) during the 1980s and 1990s. Recent trends in Aceh’s political dynamics pose a striking puzzle as to how the institutional arrangements created by the government of Aceh have complicated the political dimensions of GAM. Some institutions have shaped new patterns of Aceh-Jakarta relations, but others represent a revitalization of the previous Aceh-Islamic state rebellion under DI/TII. What are the likely causes for the re-emergence of Islam coming to the center stage of Aceh politics? This article argues that the primary forces that have driven these variations in the two periods of rebellion were the interaction between the institutional design of the nation-state and the considerable opportunity for cultural mobilization at a particular institutional juncture. Secessionist ideologies such as those in Aceh are shaped and mediated by the institutional context in which they manifest.DOI: 10.15408/sdi.v23i1.2659
Al-Dawlah wa al-Da‘wah al-Islāmīyah fī ‘Ahd al-Niẓām al-Jadīd: Dirāsah fī Fikr Soeharto min Khilāl al-Khiṭābāt al-Ri’āsīyah fī al-Munāsabāt al-Islāmīyah bi Indonesia
Authors: Salam M. Isa H.A.
Published: July 2016

This article examines the speeches by Soeharto, the second Indonesian President (1966-1998), in regard with Islamic da‘wah (preaching) in Indonesia. On various occasions of Islamic festivals such as in celebrating Mawlid al-Nabī, Isrā’ Mi‘rāj, and Nuzūl al-Qur’ān, Soeharto elucidates his main concern of the nature of da‘wah. Amid his strict opposition to political Islam, his attention to da‘wah is worth discussing. For Soeharto, religion serves as a true life-guidance that functions as the spiritual, ethical and moral basis of the statehood in Indonesia. Soeharto believes that a good da‘wah will bring a better Muslim community in Indonesia. He, therefore, warns that Muslim leaders and da‘is should not perform da‘wah by provoking conflict not only between Islam and the state, but also between Muslim community with other existing religious communities, and he often remind them that da‘wah in Indonesia should not contradict with the state ideology (Pancasila).DOI: 10.15408/sdi.v23i1.3168
Tears and Cheers in Jombang: Some Notes on the 33rd Nahdlatul Ulama Congress
Authors: Darmadi Dadi
Published: July 2016

In the midst of the scorching heat and dry weather in Jombang, in the month of August 2015, the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) finally chose K.H. Dr. Said Aqil Siradj as the Chairman of NU. The NU’s 33rd Congress (Muktamar), held in Jombang, East Java, re-elected him for his second term in office in this historical Congress, which was loaded with heat, competition, and compromise.This time the Congress theme was “Upholding Islam Nusantara for Indonesia and World Civilization.” Islam Nusantara, literally meaning “Islam of the archipelago,” may connote different things for different people. It may mean Islam that is rooted in local values, or the kind of Islam that has been promoted by scholars, traders and missionaries with peace, not war. Or, it could suggest a form of Islam that resulted from these various elements. But speaking to an audience weeks before the Congress, Said Aqil Siradj concluded that, as the largest Muslim mass organization in Indonesia, NU felt obliged to remind everyone about the importance of integrating the prinsip kebangsaan (national principles) in conducting worship (beribadah) and implementing religious beliefs (kepercayaan beragama). The theme was strengthened not only in the lively public discussions, book launches and book exhibitions across Jombang, but also in the way NU scholars framed their debates and arguments in the Bahsul Masail forums. The latter is a primary and prestigious forum among NU scholars to discuss important socio-religious issues and produce NU’s formal and strategic decisions.DOI: 10.15408/sdi.v23i1.3317
Impact of a Web-Portal Intervention on Community ADHD Care and Outcomes
Authors: Epstein Jeffery N. , Kelleher Kelly J. , Baum Rebecca , Brinkman William B. , Peugh James , Gardner William , Lichtenstein Phil , Langberg Joshua M.
Published: July 2016

BACKGROUND:

The quality of care for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) delivered in community-based pediatric settings is often poor. Interventions have been developed to improve community-based ADHD care but have not demonstrated that better care results in improved patient outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine whether an ADHD quality improvement (QI) intervention for community-based pediatric practices improves patient outcomes.

METHODS:

A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in which 50 community-based pediatric primary care practices (213 providers) were randomized either to receive a technology-assisted QI intervention or to a control condition. The intervention consisted of 4 training sessions, office flow modification, guided QI, and an ADHD Internet portal to assist with treatment monitoring. ADHD treatment processes and parent- and teacher-rated ADHD symptoms over the first year of treatment were collected for 577 patients.

RESULTS:

Intent-to-treat analyses examining outcomes of all children assessed for ADHD were not significant (b = –1.97, P = .08). However, among the 373 children prescribed ADHD medication, there was a significant intervention effect (b = –2.42, P = .04) indicating greater reductions in parent ratings of ADHD symptoms after treatment among patients treated by intervention physicians compared with patients treated at control practices. There were no group differences on teacher ratings of ADHD symptoms. ADHD treatment care around medication was significantly better at intervention practices compared with control practices.

CONCLUSIONS:

A technology-assisted QI intervention improved some ADHD care quality and resulted in additional reductions in parent-rated ADHD symptoms among patients prescribed ADHD medications.
Biofeedback as Prophylaxis for Pediatric Migraine: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Stubberud Anker , Varkey Emma , McCrory Douglas C. , Pedersen Sindre Andre , Linde Mattias
Published: July 2016

CONTEXT:

Migraine is a common problem in children and adolescents, but few satisfactory prophylactic treatments exist.

OBJECTIVE:

Our goal was to investigate the pooled evidence for the effectiveness of using biofeedback to reduce childhood migraine.

DATA SOURCES:

A systematic search was conducted across the databases Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, CINAHL, and PsychINFO.

STUDY SELECTION:

Prospective, randomized controlled trials of biofeedback for migraine among children and adolescents were located in the search.

DATA EXTRACTION:

Data on reduction of mean attack frequency and a series of secondary outcomes, including adverse events, were extracted. Risk of bias was also assessed.

RESULTS:

Forest plots were created by using a fixed effects model, and mean differences were reported. Five studies with a total of 137 participants met the inclusion criteria. Biofeedback reduced migraine frequency (mean difference, –1.97 [95% confidence interval (CI), –2.72 to –1.21]; P < .00001), attack duration (mean difference, –3.94 [95% CI, –5.57 to –2.31]; P < .00001), and headache intensity (mean difference, –1.77 [95% CI, –2.42 to –1.11]; P < .00001) compared with a waiting-list control. Biofeedback demonstrated no adjuvant effect when combined with other behavioral treatment; neither did it have significant advantages over active treatment. Only 40% of bias judgments were deemed as “low” risk.

LIMITATIONS:

Methodologic issues hampered the meta-analyses. Only a few studies were possible to include, and they suffered from incomplete reporting of data and risk of bias.

CONCLUSIONS:

Biofeedback seems to be an effective intervention for pediatric migraine, but in light of the limitations, further investigation is needed to increase our confidence in the estimate.
Towards a history of jazz in Greece in the interwar era
Authors: Anagnostou Panagiota
Published: July 2016

The article examines the production, diffusion and reception of jazz in Greece in the interwar era. By examining various press articles, radio programmes and theatre booklets, it reveals unknown aspects of its history and brings into light forgotten sources of the past. It analyses issues of categorization, namely ‘modern’ and ‘popular’ music, the role of Greek theatrical composers, different musical circulations from France and Germany, as well as triangulation effects passing through Italy and Turkey. A certain attention is attributed to the term jazz and its meaning in interwar Greece and some interpretation of its relative oblivion is attempted.
Consolidated undrained capacity of shallow foundations subjected to self-weight and horizontal in-service loading
Authors: Vulpe C. , Newman J. J.
Published: July 2016

The effect of subsea infrastructure self-weight and pipeline in-service horizontal loading on the consolidated undrained capacity of deep-water shallow foundations was investigated by means of fully coupled three-dimensional finite-element analyses. The results show that the undrained uniaxial and combined capacity increase under horizontal preloading and over realistic in-field loading time regimes. The gain in undrained capacity is quantified through simple equations incorporating a critical state soil mechanics framework and is defined as a function of magnitude and duration of vertical and horizontal preload, foundation embedment ratio and soil–skirt interface roughness.
Journal of Energy in Southern Africa (JESA) Vol. 27 Issue 2 (complete)
Authors: Dr Mok Roberts Editor:
Published: July 2016

Complete issue of the Journal of Energy in Southern Africa (JESA) Vol. 27 Issue 2.
Artificial Neural Network Approach to Predict Biodiesel Production in Supercritical tert-Butyl Methyl Ether
Authors: Farobie Obie , Hasanah Nur
Published: July 2016

In this study, for the first time artificial neural network was used to predict biodiesel yield in supercritical tert-butyl methyl ether (MTBE). The experimental data of biodiesel yield conducted by varying four input factors (i.e. temperature, pressure, oil-to-MTBE molar ratio, and reaction time) were used to elucidate artificial neural network model in order to predict biodiesel yield. The main goal of this study was to assess how accurately this artificial neural network model to predict biodiesel yield conducted under supercritical MTBE condition. The result shows that artificial neural network is a powerful tool for modeling and predicting biodiesel yield conducted under supercritical MTBE condition that was proven by a high value of coefficient of determination (R) of 0.9969, 0.9899, and 0.9658 for training, validation, and testing, respectively. Using this approach, the highest biodiesel yield was determined of 0.93 mol/mol (corresponding to the actual biodiesel yield of 0.94 mol/mol) that was achieved at 400 °C, under the reactor pressure of 10 MPa, oil-to-MTBE molar ratio of 1:40 within 15 min of reaction time.
Las Volcanalia: un dios debe ser aplacado
Authors: Ramos Crespo Juan María
Published: July 2016

Las Volcanalia: un dios debe ser aplacado
La voz y la didáctica de la lengua oral
Authors: Alonso-Cortés Fradejas María Dolores
Published: July 2016

La voz y la didáctica de la lengua oral
Macbeth de William Shakespeare en "Corazón tan blanco" de Javier Marías
Authors: Molpeceres Arnáiz Sara
Published: July 2016

Macbeth de William Shakespeare en "Corazón tan blanco" de Javier Marías
Multicultural Education Practices in Malaysian Preschools with Multiethnic or Monoethnic Environment
Authors: Mohd Yusof Najeemah , Christina Abdullah Anna , Ahmad Norlida
Published: July 2016

In today’s increasingly diverse world, ethnicity has a dramatic impact on a growing child. The ‘melting pot’ concept has given children whether from majority or minority ethnic groups have contact with groups other than their own and must learn to live with ethnic diversity. Ethnic diversity affects social interaction among students of different ethnic groups. Social interaction among students of different ethnic groups has been a major focus of study in Malaysia in recent years. Schools in Malaysia have students from a variety of ethnic, linguistic, religious and cultural backgrounds. When students of a variety of backgrounds are put under one roof, there is a strong tendency to differentiate and polarize. One of the main causes for students to differentiate and polarize is due to the monoethnic environment. Preschools must begin a focused and concerted effort to provide for today’s children the skills, attitudes, and knowledge they will need to be successful in the pluralistic and interdependent world in which these children will live and work as adults. Among these competencies are the ability to be multilingual and the ability to be cross-culturally competent. A multicultural classroom, then, is one that features positive teacher expectations for all children, a learning environment that supports positive interracial contact, and a curriculum that is multicultural in content and varied in pedagogy. This article will discuss Multicultural Education Practices by teachers in Malaysian Preschools with a multiethnic or monoethnic environment. A study was conducted in 200 preschools in North Malaysia. The nature of multicultural education in this study is classified according to an instrument which is related to the children’s’ lives. The teachers were given a set of questionnaires and findings were analyzed quantitatively.
The Level of Mastering Forces in Equilibrium Topics by Thinking Skills
Authors: Alias Siti Nursaila , Ibrahim Faridah
Published: July 2016

The aim of this research is to determine the level of mastering Forces in Equilibrium topics according to thinking skill for Form Four Physics students. 189 Form Four Physics students from secondary school at Kuala Kangsar district in Perak involved in this research. All students are 16 years old. Questionnaire method has been conducted in order to perform this research. Descriptive statistics namely mean and standard deviation has been used in this research. The findings showed the level of mastering Forces in Equilibrium topics according to thinking skills was unsatisfactory.
Prediction of Tourism Demand in Iran by Using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Supporting Vector Machine (SVR)
Authors: Sadatiseyedmahalleh Seyedehelham , Heidari Bateni Nasim , Heidari Bateni Nazanin
Published: July 2016

This research examines and proves this effectiveness connected with artificial neural networks (ANNs) as an alternative approach to the use of Support Vector Machine (SVR) in the tourism research. This method can be used for the tourism industry to define the turism’s demands in Iran. The outcome reveals the use of ANNs in tourism research might result in better quotations when it comes to prediction bias and accuracy. Even more applications of ANNs in the context of tourism demand evaluation is needed to establish and validate the effects.
Diretrizes para autores
Authors: Diersmann Admin Débora
Published: July 2016

Diretrizes para autores
VALORES RELATIVOS AO TRABALHO EM GESTORES DO PODER LEGISLATIVO MUNICIPAL – NATAL, RN
Authors: Oliveira Otânia Maria de , El-Aouar Walid Abbas , Vasconcelos César Ricardo Maia de , Gurgel Fernanda
Published: July 2016

Neste estudo investigaram-se as prioridades axiológicas relativas ao trabalho do corpo gerencial do Poder Legislativo Municipal de Natal, RN, Brasil, assim como se associaram esses resultados aos perfis sociodemográficos desses decisores. Do ponto de vista dos procedimentos técnicos, trata-se de uma pesquisa de campo; quanto aos seus objetivos, é considerada descritiva; e quanto à forma de abordagem do problema, é classificada como quantitativa. A pesquisa foi censitária, cujo escopo pesquisado foi o corpo gerencial composto por 82 servidores com cargos comissionados de direção, gerência e assessoramento superior. Ademais, foi aplicado o instrumento estruturado denominado Escala Revisada de Valores Relativos ao Trabalho (EVT-R), e, quanto ao tratamento dos dados, foram empregadas as técnicas estatísticas Análise de Variância (ANOVA), Hipóteses e Teste de Tukey. Os dados revelaram que o corpo gerencial possui um perfil jovem, a maioria homens, casados, graduados e com pouco tempo de serviço no Órgão. Analisada a EVT-R, os valores mais importantes foram: “Universalismo e Benevolência” e “Conformidade”. E o menos importante foi “Poder”. Comparada a EVT-R com o perfil sociodemográfico, observou-se evidência de diferença estatística entre os perfis “Estimulação” e “Realização”.

Palavras-chave: Cultura organizacional. Valores relativos ao trabalho. Valores organizacionais. Poder Legislativo Municipal. Gestão pública.
O IMPACTO DOS SERVIÇOS AO CLIENTE NO MARKETING DE RELACIONAMENTO ENTRE MINIMERCADOS E SEUS FORNECEDORES
Authors: Meurer Aline Mara , Antoni Verner Luis , Cruz Cassina Malis Lima
Published: July 2016

Em um ambiente de acirrada competição, a construção de relacionamentos sustentáveis entre os participantes de um canal comercial assume maior importância, tornando o desenvolvimento de parcerias estratégicas e cooperação mútua fundamental para as empresas aumentarem sua competitividade no mercado. Considerando esse contexto, com o estudo desenvolvido objetivou-se examinar as relações existentes entre os serviços ao cliente e o marketing de relacionamento nas transações entre minimercados e seus principais fornecedores. A mensuração do marketing de relacionamento foi feita por meio da escala proposta por Wilson e Vlosky (1997), e o nível de serviços ao cliente foi verificado pelos indicadores de serviços, gerados em uma etapa exploratória com gestores de minimercados. Utilizando-se Regressão Múltipla foi possível identificar que os serviços ao cliente apresentam influência no relacionamento do canal estudado. Os resultados também demonstram que o relacionamento entre minimercados e seus fornecedores é frágil, exceto na dimensão comprometimento.

Palavras-chave: Marketing de relacionamento. Serviços ao cliente. Canal de marketing. Minimercados.
Panie i panowie na start! O modzie na bieganie i sporcie czasu wolnego w doświadczeniach kobiet i mężczyzn
Authors: Stempień Jakub Ryszard
Published: July 2016

Artykuł dotyczy socjologicznego fenomenu mody na bieganie i dominującego udziału mężczyzn w tej modzie. Maskulinizacja mody na bieganie jest widoczna zwłaszcza w przypadku otwartych dla amatorów zawodów biegowych (np. na dystansie maratońskim) – zdecydowaną większość uczestników stanowią właśnie mężczyźni. Tłumaczyć to można różnicami w kulturowo określanych wzorach tego, co męskie i kobiece. Katalog cech stereotypowo męskich obejmuje bowiem m.in. takie charakterystyki, jak: dzielność, wytrzymałość czy siła. Odpowiadać im będzie nie tylko formuła takich sportów jak boks, zapasy czy podnoszenie ciężarów (tradycyjnie uznawanych za „męskie”), lecz także formuła biegu długodystansowego. Udział w takich zmaganiach może dla mężczyzn stanowić cenne potwierdzenie ich własnej męskości. W artykule wykorzystywane są wyniki własnych badań ankietowych, przeprowadzonych wśród uczestników DOZ Maratonu Łódzkiego z PZU w latach 2014–2015 (próba 2014: N = 1078; próba 2015: N = 1086). Dokumentują one, że na ogół dla kobiet bieganie stanowi jedynie relatywnie prosty sposób zadbania o własną sylwetkę i zdrowie, zaś dla mężczyzn jest tożsamościowo ważnym polem afirmacji męskości. Dlatego też mężczyźni częściej od kobiet uczestniczą w zawodach, przeznaczają większe kwoty na zakup niezbędnego sprzętu, a także częściej wstępują do klubów biegacza.
Reforma nadzoru sektora bankowego Unii Europejskiej – unia bankowa
Authors: Zielińska Klaudia
Published: July 2016

Celem artykułu jest analiza ewolucji koncepcji unii bankowej od momentu jej powstania do czasu przedstawienia ostatecznej formy jej wprowadzenia w życie, tj. do sierpnia 2014 r. W poszczególnych punktach omówione zostały trzy filary unii bankowej, a także poruszono kwestię Polski i jej stanowiska wobec nowego systemu nadzoru.
A Study on the Relationship between Academic Delay of Gratification and Dispositional Optimism in Higher Secondary School Students
Authors: Chakraborty Rajib , HabeebaSulthana Shaik , Askari Noor
Published: July 2016

The present study is an attempt to examine the relationship between academic delay of gratification and dispositional orientation variables. Sample for the study includes 60urban students (30 boys and 30 girls) of class XI of a junior college in S.R. Nagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, India. The data for measuring delay of gratification is collected using Academic Delay of Gratification Scale (ADOGS) for college students prepared by HeferBembenutty (1997). Dispositional optimism of the students is measured by collecting data using theRevised Life Orientation Test Scale (LOT-R) for college students prepared by Scheier, Carver and Bridges (1994). For data analysis, Pearson's Product-Moment Correlation coefficient and Point-biserial correlation coefficients are calculated using SPSS ver.20. The significance of the test is calculated for the level of significance ? at 0.01. The findings of the study reveal positive andmoderatelystrong relationship between academic delay of gratificationand dispositional optimism. Boys are found to possess significantly less academic delay of gratification when compared to girls.No role of gender is found on the variable dispositional optimism.
Sociodemographic Disparities in Proximity of Schools to Tobacco Outlets and Fast-Food Restaurants
Authors: D’Angelo Heather , Ammerman Alice , Gordon-Larsen Penny , Linnan Laura , Lytle Leslie , Ribisl Kurt M.
Published: July 2016

Objectives. To examine the association of school sociodemographic characteristics with tobacco outlet and fast-food restaurant availability near schools in a national study.

Methods. Business lists and data from the National Center for Education Statistics were used to calculate the numbers of tobacco outlets and fast-food restaurants within 800 meters of public schools in 97 US counties.

Results. More than 50% of schools with a majority of Hispanic students had both a fast-food restaurant and tobacco outlet nearby, compared with 21% of schools with a majority of White students. In adjusted models, each 10% increase in the number of low-income and Hispanic students enrolled in a school led to a 3% to 5% increase in the odds of the school having both a fast-food restaurant and a tobacco outlet nearby.

Conclusions. Low-income and Hispanic students are disproportionately exposed to both tobacco outlets and fast-food restaurants near their schools. Easy access to tobacco products and fast food may influence youth smoking initiation and contribute to poor dietary intake.
Contribution of the Nurses’ Health Studies to Uncovering Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes: Diet, Lifestyle, Biomarkers, and Genetics
Authors: Ley Sylvia H. , Ardisson Korat Andres V. , Sun Qi , Tobias Deirdre K. , Zhang Cuilin , Qi Lu , Willett Walter C. , Manson JoAnn E. , Hu Frank B.
Published: July 2016

Objectives. To review the contribution of the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) and the NHS II to addressing hypotheses regarding risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

Methods. We carried out a narrative review of 1976 to 2016 NHS and NHS II publications.

Results. The NHS and NHS II have uncovered important roles in type 2 diabetes for individual nutrients, foods, dietary patterns, and physical activity independent of excess body weight. Up to 90% of type 2 diabetes cases are potentially preventable if individuals follow a healthy diet and lifestyle. The NHS investigations have also identified novel biomarkers for diabetes, including adipokines, inflammatory cytokines, nutrition metabolites, and environmental pollutants, offering new insights into the pathophysiology of the disease. Global collaborative efforts have uncovered many common genetic variants associated with type 2 diabetes and improved our understanding of gene–environment interactions. Continued efforts to identify epigenetic, metagenomic, and metabolomic risk factors for type 2 diabetes have the potential to reveal new pathways and improve prediction and prevention.

Conclusions. Over the past several decades, the NHS and NHS II have made major contributions to public health recommendations and strategies designed to reduce the global burden of diabetes.