bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of an Impedimetric Aptasensor for Label Free Detection of Patulin in Apple Juice
Authors: Khan Reem , Ben Aissa Sondes , Sherazi Tauqir A. , Catanante Gaelle , Hayat Akhtar , Marty Jean Louis
Published: March 2019

In the present work, an aptasensing platform was developed for the detection of a carcinogenic mycotoxin termed patulin (PAT) using a label-free approach. The detection was mainly based on a specific interaction of an aptamer immobilized on carbon-based electrode. A long linear spacer of carboxy-amine polyethylene glycol chain (PEG) was chemically grafted on screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) via diazonium salt in the aptasensor design. The NH2-modified aptamer was then attached covalently to carboxylic acid groups of previously immobilized bifunctional PEG to build a diblock macromolecule. The immobilized diblocked molecules resulted in the formation of long tunnels on a carbon interface, while the aptamer was assumed as the gate of these tunnels. Upon target analyte binding, the gates were assumed to be closed due to conformational changes in the structure of the aptamer, increasing the resistance to the charge transfer. This increase in resistance was measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the main analytical technique for the quantitative detection of PAT. Encouragingly, a good linear range between 1 and 25 ng was obtained. The limit of detection and limit of quantification was 2.8 ng L−1 and 4.0 ng L−1, respectively. Selectivity of the aptasensor was confirmed with mycotoxins commonly occurring in food. The developed apta-assay was also applied to a real sample, i.e., fresh apple juice spiked with PAT, and toxin recovery up to 99% was observed. The results obtained validated the suitability and selectivity of the developed apta-assay for the identification and quantification of PAT in real food samples.
Experimental Development of Coal-Like Material with Solid-Gas Coupling for Quantitative Simulation Tests of Coal and Gas Outburst Occurred in Soft Coal Seams
Authors: Wang Xingkai , Xie Wenbing , Su Zhili , Tang Qingteng
Published: March 2019

Solid-gas coupling coal-like materials are essential for simulating coal and gas outbursts and the long-term safety study of CO2 sequestration in coal. However, reported materials still differ substantially from natural coal in mechanical, deformation and gaseous properties; the latter two aspects are common not considered. There is a lack of a definite and quantitative preparation method of coal-like materials with high similarity for future reference. Here, 25 groups of raw material ratios were designed in the orthogonal experiment using uniaxial compression, shearing and adsorption/desorption tests. Experiment results indicated that the coal-like materials were highly similar to soft coals in properties mentioned above. And range analysis revealed the key influencing factors of each mechanical index. The gypsum/petrolatum ratio controls the density, compressive strength, elastic modulus, cohesion and deformation characteristic. The coarse/fine coal powder (1–2 and 0–0.5 mm) controls the internal friction angle and is the secondary controlling factor for compressive strength and elastic modulus. The effect of coal particle size on the sample strength was studied using scanning electron microscope (SEM). When the gypsum/petrolatum ratio increased, the deformation characteristics changed from ductile to brittle. The different failure modes in the samples were revealed. The coal powder content is a key in the gas adsorption/desorption properties and an empirical formula for estimating the adsorption capacity was established. Based on the range analysis of experimental results, a multiple linear regression model of the mechanical parameters and their key influencing factors was obtained. Finally, a composition closely resembling the natural coal was determined, which differs by only 0.47–7.41% in all parameters except porosity (11.76%). Possible improvements and extension to similar materials are discussed. The findings of this study can help for better understanding of coal and gas outburst mechanism and stability of CO2 sequestration in soft coal seams.
Using the Engagement Profile to Design an Engaging Robotic Teaching Assistant for Students
Authors: Cooney Martin , Leister Wolfgang
Published: March 2019

We report on an exploratory study conducted at a graduate school in Sweden with a humanoid robot, Baxter. First, we describe a list of potentially useful capabilities for a robot teaching assistant derived from brainstorming and interviews with faculty members, teachers, and students. These capabilities consist of reading educational materials out loud, greeting, alerting, allowing remote operation, providing clarifications, and moving to carry out physical tasks. Secondly, we present feedback on how the robot’s capabilities, demonstrated in part with the Wizard of Oz approach, were perceived, and iteratively adapted over the course of several lectures, using the Engagement Profile tool. Thirdly, we discuss observations regarding the capabilities and the development process. Our findings suggest that using a social robot as a teaching assistant is promising using the chosen capabilities and Engagement Profile tool. We find that enhancing the robot’s autonomous capabilities and further investigating the role of embodiment are some important topics to be considered in future work.
Application of Convolutional Neural Networks for Automated Ulcer Detection in Wireless Capsule Endoscopy Images
Authors: Alaskar Haya , Hussain Abir , Al-Aseem Nourah , Liatsis Panos , Al-Jumeily Dhiya
Published: March 2019

Detection of abnormalities in wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) images is a challenging task. Typically, these images suffer from low contrast, complex background, variations in lesion shape and color, which affect the accuracy of their segmentation and subsequent classification. This research proposes an automated system for detection and classification of ulcers in WCE images, based on state-of-the-art deep learning networks. Deep learning techniques, and in particular, convolutional neural networks (CNNs), have recently become popular in the analysis and recognition of medical images. The medical image datasets used in this study were obtained from WCE video frames. In this work, two milestone CNN architectures, namely the AlexNet and the GoogLeNet are extensively evaluated in object classification into ulcer or non-ulcer. Furthermore, we examine and analyze the images identified as containing ulcer objects to evaluate the efficiency of the utilized CNNs. Extensive experiments show that CNNs deliver superior performance, surpassing traditional machine learning methods by large margins, which supports their effectiveness as automated diagnosis tools.
Mapping the Dielectric Properties of Unknown Targets by Using a Network of Microwave Sensors: A Proof-of-Concept
Authors: Estatico Claudio , Fedeli Alessandro , Gragnani Gian Luigi , Pastorino Matteo , Randazzo Andrea
Published: March 2019

The subject of this paper is the possible use of a network of microwave sensors to achieve a map of the electromagnetic properties of unknown targets. The basic idea is to use a set of microwave sensors to illuminate a region of interest and to measure the resulting axial component of the electric field. Measurements are then processed by means of a technique based on inverse-scattering, which provides an estimate map of the dielectric values of the area under examination, allowing to discriminate among possible targets. In order to initially evaluate the feasibility of the proposed approach, numerical results in a simulated environment are preliminarily considered and discussed. Furthermore, an initial test on experimental data in a simplified configuration is also presented.
An Enhanced File Transfer Mechanism Using an Additional Blocking Communication Channel and Thread for IoT Environments
Authors: Moon Yangchan , Lim Mingyu
Published: March 2019

In this paper, we propose an enhanced file transfer mechanism for a communication framework (CM) for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Our previous file transfer method uses a basic non-blocking communication channel and thread for the CM (non-blocking method), but this method has a cost of adding additional bytes to each original file block. Therefore, it is not suitable for the transfer of large-sized files. Other existing file transfer methods use a separate channel to transfer large-sized files. However, the creation of a separate channel increases the total transmission delay as the transfer frequency increases. The proposed method uses a dedicated blocking communication channel in a separate thread (blocking method). The blocking method uses a separate channel and thread which are dedicated to transferring file blocks. As it creates the separate channel in advance before the file transfer task, the proposed method does not have an additional channel creation cost at the moment of the file transfer. Through file transfer experiments, the blocking method showed a shorter file transfer time than the non-blocking method, and the transmission delay was increased as the file size grew. By supporting both non-blocking and blocking methods, an application can flexibly select the desirable method according to its requirement. If the application requires the transfer of small-sized files infrequently, it can use the non-blocking method. If the application needs to transfer small-sized or large-sized files frequently, a good alternative is to use the blocking method.
Internet of Vehicles and Cost-Effective Traffic Signal Control
Authors: Ahn Sanghyun , Choi Jonghwa
Published: March 2019

The Internet of Vehicles (IoV) is attracting many researchers with the emergence of autonomous or smart vehicles. Vehicles on the road are becoming smart objects equipped with lots of sensors and powerful computing and communication capabilities. In the IoV environment, the efficiency of road transportation can be enhanced with the help of cost-effective traffic signal control. Traffic signal controllers control traffic lights based on the number of vehicles waiting for the green light (in short, vehicle queue length). So far, the utilization of video cameras or sensors has been extensively studied as the intelligent means of the vehicle queue length estimation. However, it has the deficiencies like high computing overhead, high installation and maintenance cost, high susceptibility to the surrounding environment, etc. Therefore, in this paper, we propose the vehicular communication-based approach for intelligent traffic signal control in a cost-effective way with low computing overhead and high resilience to environmental obstacles. In the vehicular communication-based approach, traffic signals are efficiently controlled at no extra cost by using the pre-equipped vehicular communication capabilities of IoV. Vehicular communications allow vehicles to send messages to traffic signal controllers (i.e., vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications) so that they can estimate vehicle queue length based on the collected messages. In our previous work, we have proposed a mechanism that can accomplish the efficiency of vehicular communications without losing the accuracy of traffic signal control. This mechanism gives transmission preference to the vehicles farther away from the traffic signal controller, so that the other vehicles closer to the stop line give up transmissions. In this paper, we propose a new mechanism enhancing the previous mechanism by selecting the vehicles performing V2I communications based on the concept of road sectorization. In the mechanism, only the vehicles within specific areas, called sectors, perform V2I communications to reduce the message transmission overhead. For the performance comparison of our mechanisms, we carry out simulations by using the Veins vehicular network simulation framework and measure the message transmission overhead and the accuracy of the estimated vehicle queue length. Simulation results verify that our vehicular communication-based approach significantly reduces the message transmission overhead without losing the accuracy of the vehicle queue length estimation.
Peculiarities of Prosecution and Indictment of the President of the Slovak Republic: Is Current Legal Regulation Really Sufficient?
Authors: Šramel Bystrík , Horváth Peter , Machyniak Ján
Published: March 2019

In a democratic state following the principle of rule of law, every person (including state authorities) must bear a legal liability for an unlawful act committed. However, recent socio-political events in Slovakia have brought to the forefront a number of legal questions regarding the liability of the head of the state for his unlawful acts. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to examine the current legal regulation of presidential liability, which belongs to one of the controversial issues of the Slovak legal order. At the same time, it is an issue which is not a frequented subject of legal science (jurisprudence) research. Therefore, its examination and critical evaluation is necessary. However, the aim of the paper is not only to point out to the current legal regulation of this relatively unexplored legal institution, but also to show its seamy sides and to present a comprehensible and reasonable legal opinion relating to key characteristics of legal liability of the President of the Slovak Republic. The authors are of the opinion that the legal regulation of the liability of the President of the Slovak Republic is extremely brief. In addition, it contains a number of ambiguities and questions which, in the future, can cause a lot of complications in the eventual prosecution of the president. For this reason, it is more than desirable to resolve at least some of the issues referred to in the paper before the dispute arises. In every democratic state it is essential that the terms of application of legal institutions or legal provisions are understandable, clear, and certain. In the case of the institution of liability of the Slovak President, this requirement is certainly not fulfilled.
A Hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Model for Evaluating Companies’ Green Credit Rating
Authors: Yang Chia-Chen , Ou Shang-Ling , Hsu Li-Chang
Published: March 2019

Along with economic development and social progress, environmental issues are increasingly becoming the subject of public concern. Through green credit, banks intentionally direct money into resource-conserving technology development and environmental protection industries, thus, encouraging enterprises to focus on green products. Therefore, establishing a reasonable green credit evaluation mechanism for banks is an important issue. Based on this, this study combines grey relational analysis (GRA), the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory technique (DEMATEL), analytic network process (ANP) and the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) to develop a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model for quantifying data and, thereby, to establish a green credit rating mechanism. In order to verify the model, this study combines credit risk and economic, environmental and social performance evaluation criteria as green credit evaluation criteria. There are 55 high-tech listed companies in Taiwan in 2014 taken as the evaluation objects and conducted for a performance ranking. The empirical results can serve as a reference for financial authorities promoting green finance policies and for investors making investment decisions.
Re-evaluating Small Long-period Confirmed Planets from Kepler
Authors: Burke Christopher J. , Mullally F. , Thompson Susan E. , Coughlin Jeffrey L. , Rowe Jason F.
Published: March 2019

We re-examine the statistical confirmation of small long-period Kepler planet candidates in light of recent improvements in our understanding of the occurrence of systematic false alarms in this regime. Using the final Data Release 25 (DR25) Kepler planet candidate catalog statistics, we find that the previously confirmed single-planet system Kepler-452b no longer achieves a 99% confidence in the planetary hypothesis and is not considered statistically validated in agreement with the finding of Mullally et al. For multiple planet systems, we find that the planet prior enhancement for belonging to a multiple-planet system is suppressed relative to previous Kepler catalogs, and we also find that the multiple-planet system member, Kepler-186f, no longer achieves a 99% confidence level in the planetary hypothesis. Because of the numerous confounding factors in the data analysis process that leads to the detection and characterization of a signal, it is difficult to determine whether any one planetary candidate achieves a strict criterion for confirmation relative to systematic false alarms. For instance, when taking into account a simplified model of processing variations, the additional single-planet systems Kepler-443b, Kepler-441b, Kepler-1633b, Kepler-1178b, and Kepler-1653b have a non-negligible probability of falling below 99% confidence in the planetary hypothesis. The systematic false alarm hypothesis must be taken into account when employing statistical validation techniques in order to confirm planet candidates that approach the detection threshold of a survey. We encourage those performing transit searches of K2, TESS, and other similar data sets to quantify their systematic false alarm rates. Alternatively, independent photometric detection of the transit signal or radial velocity measurements can eliminate the false alarm hypothesis.
The Asteroseismic Target List for Solar-like Oscillators Observed in 2 minute Cadence with the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite
Authors: Schofield Mathew , Chaplin William J. , Huber Daniel , Campante Tiago L. , Davies Guy R. , Miglio Andrea , Ball Warrick H. , Appourchaux Thierry , Basu Sarbani , Bedding Timothy R. , Christensen-Dalsgaard Jørgen , Creevey Orlagh , García Rafael A. , Handberg Rasmus , Kawaler Steven D. , Kjeldsen Hans , Latham David W. , Lund Mikkel N. , Metcalfe Travis S. , Ricker George R. , Serenelli Aldo , Aguirre Victor Silva , Stello Dennis , Vanderspek Roland
Published: March 2019

We present the target list of solar-type stars to be observed in short-cadence (2 minute) for asteroseismology by the NASA Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) during its 2 year nominal survey mission. The solar-like Asteroseismic Target List (ATL) is comprised of bright, cool main-sequence and subgiant stars and forms part of the larger target list of the TESS Asteroseismic Science Consortium. The ATL uses the Gaia Data Release 2 and the Extended Hipparcos Compilation (XHIP) to derive fundamental stellar properties, to calculate detection probabilities, and to produce a rank-ordered target list. We provide a detailed description of how the ATL was produced and calculate expected yields for solar-like oscillators based on the nominal photometric performance by TESS. We also provide a publicly available source code that can be used to reproduce the ATL, thereby enabling comparisons of asteroseismic results from TESS with predictions from synthetic stellar populations.
Contextual Predictions for the Parker Solar Probe. I. Critical Surfaces and Regions
Authors: Chhiber Rohit , Usmanov Arcadi V. , Matthaeus William H. , Goldstein Melvyn L.
Published: March 2019

The solar corona and young solar wind may be characterized by critical surfaces—the sonic, Alfvén, and first plasma-β unity surfaces—that demarcate regions where the solar wind flow undergoes certain crucial transformations. Global numerical simulations and remote sensing observations offer a natural mode for the study of these surfaces at large scales, thus providing valuable context for the high-resolution in situ measurements expected from the recently launched Parker Solar Probe (PSP). The present study utilizes global three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of the solar wind to characterize the critical surfaces and investigate the flow in propinquitous regions. Effects of solar activity are incorporated by varying source magnetic dipole tilts and employing magnetogram-based boundary conditions. An MHD turbulence model is self-consistently coupled to the bulk-flow equations, enabling investigation of turbulence properties of the flow in the vicinity of critical regions. The simulation results are compared with a variety of remote sensing observations. A simulated PSP trajectory is used to provide contextual predictions for the spacecraft in terms of the computed critical surfaces. Broad agreement is seen in the interpretation of the present results in comparison with existing remote sensing results, both from heliospheric imaging and from radio scintillation studies. The trajectory analyses show that the period of time that PSP is likely to spend inside the β = 1, sonic, and Alfvén surfaces depends sensitively on the degree of solar activity and the tilt of the solar dipole and location of the heliospheric current sheet.
The first Paratropididae (Araneae, Mygalomorphae) from Colombia: new genus, species and records
Authors: Perafán Carlos , Galvis William , Pérez-Miles Fernando
Published: March 2019

The family of mygalomorph spiders Paratropididae Simon, 1889 is here reported for the first time for Colombia, where it is represented by three genera (Anisaspis, Paratropis, Stormtropisgen. n.) and eight species. One genus, Stormtropis, and six species constitute new taxa that are here diagnosed, described and illustrated. The geographical distribution of Paratropispapilligera FO Pickard-Cambridge, 1896 and Paratropiselicioi Dupérré, 2015 are also redescribed and expanded on the basis of new material examined. The diagnosis of the subfamily Paratropidinae, Paratropis Simon, 1889 and Anisaspis Simon, 1892 are emended including the variations of the new species. Likewise, a geographic distribution map for the entire family and a taxonomic key for the males of Paratropidinae are included. Other biogeographic, morphological, and taxonomic aspects are discussed.
Turkish Version, Validity and Reliability Study of Cold Intolerance Symptom Severity Questionnaire
Authors: TÖRE NURTEN GİZEM , GÜMÜŞSOY MESKEN , OSKAY DERAN
Published: March 2019

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine validity and reliability of the Turkish version of Cold Intolerance Symptom Severity (CISS-T) Questionnaire.
Material and Methods: The translation and back translation steps of the study were based on the Beaton guidelines. Sixty-eight patients between 18 to 65 years old with cold intolerance after amputation, replantation, multiple crush syndrome and peripheral nerve injury were included in the study. Patients completed the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire, the SF-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire and the single questions assessing the cold sensitivity and cold intolerance once and the final version of the CISS-T twice with 7 days interval.
Results: The internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.844) and test-retest reliability (r = 0.938) of CISS-T were assessed and both were found to be very good. Also, correlations between scores of CISS-T; DASH-T, SF36-T and the single questions were analyzed by the Spearman’s correlation coefficient. The CISS-T showed an excellent correlation with the single questions (rho 0.8 and 0.877), good and negative correlation with the SF-36 pain sub-parameter (rho=-0.617) and a moderate correlation with the DASH-T (rho=0.592).
Conclusion: As a result, CISS-T is valid and reliable instrument to assess severity of cold intolerance.
Key words: Cold Intolerance, Hand Injury, Turkish Version, Validity-Reliability
The effect of medial longitudinal arch height and medial longitudinal arch-support insoles on postural balance in perimenopausal women
Authors: KARATAŞ LEVENT , VURALLI DOĞA , GÜNENDİ ZAFER
Published: March 2019

Background and aim: In the perimenopausal period, changes in balance and postural control have been reported. We aimed to invastigate the effect of medial longitudinal arch height and medial arch-support insoles on postural sway and balance in middle aged women in perimenopausal period.
Materials and Methods: 29 women with normal arches and 29 women with low arches were included in the study. Foot arch of the participants was determined by "arch height index". The static balance index (SBI) measured by Kinesthetic Ability Trainer 3000 and Functional Reach Test were used to evaluate postural balance. Measurements were obtained from all participants with and without medial arch-support insoles.
Results: The SBI-total scores without the insoles were found to be significantly higher in the lower arch group than the normal arch group. SBI-total, SBI-anteroposterior, and SBI-mediolateral scores significantly improved in the low arch group in the presence of insoles, whereas the usage of insoles resulted in no difference in the normal arch group. In the presence of insoles, the reach distances to left and right sides increased in both groups, while the forward functional reach distances decreased.
Conclusion: Medial longitudinal arch height and medial arch-support insoles affect the balance parameters in perimenopausal women.
Is leptin receptor expression triggered in case of embryo transfer to endometrium co-culture?
Authors: KAPLANOĞLU İSKENDER , KAPLANOĞLU GÜLNÜR TAKE , ÇINAR ÖZGÜR , GÖKTAŞ GÜLESER , DİLBAZ SERDAR , SEYMEN CEMİLE MERVE
Published: March 2019

Background/aim: A synchronized dialogue between maternal and embryonic tissues is required for a successful implantation. Low uterine receptivity is responsible for two-thirds of implantation failures and leptin is effective in physiology of reproduction by binding to specific receptors. In this study, we investigate leptin receptor expression in cases of embryo transfer to endometrial co - culture.
Material and methods: Biopsy materials were taken from 20 females with indication for co - culture application and were cultured in appropriate medium, after the epithelial cells were isolated. The grown cells were cultured in chamber slides as the first group. For the second group, day 3 embryo was added to chamber slides and the development was observed. 1 - 2 days later, the embryo was transferred and other cells (after the transfer process) were used to form the second group. After fixation, immunohistochemical staining with anti-leptin primary antibody was done.
Results: Regarding the co-culture without the embryo transfer, moderate leptin receptor immunoreactivity was seen in perinuclear region and in cell membrane. And regarding co-culture with the embryo transfer, moderate leptin receptor immunreactivity was seen in cytoplasm and strong leptin receptor immunoreactivity was seen in cell membrane. Conclusion: Embryo transfer to the endometrium co-culture triggers leptin receptor expression.
Obesity perception survey among youth in Turkey: instrument development and test-retest reliability
Authors: JAYAWARDENE WASANTHA , PINAR SALİH , TORABI MOHAMMAD , XUN PENGCHENG , ÖZER MUSTAFA KAMİL
Published: March 2019

Background/aim: We aimed to develop an instrument that can assess young people?s perceptions and opinions regarding causes and consequences of obesity and the role of individuals, families, communities, and government in addressing obesity.
Materials/methods: A 36-question (101-item) survey was developed by adopting, translating, and revising multiple-choice or Likert-scale questions from existing surveys to assure construct cross-cultural validity. A two-factor mixed effects model estimated intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) to measure test-retest reliability of questions administered (two weeks apart) to a convenient sample of Istanbul high-school and university students, ages 15-25 (N=122).
Results: ICC mean for university and high-school was 0.70 and 0.63, respectively. University students were more consistent in relating the problem to society and public policy preferences. High-school students were more consistent in relating the problem and solution to themselves and their immediate environments. Using 0.5 cutoff for ICC?s lower 95% confidence limit, followed by re-evaluation of question-flow, a 19-question (36-item) survey was retained for adolescents; 26-question (52-item) survey for young adults.
Conclusion: While survey items have moderate-to-excellent reliability for high-school and university students, it can be administered longitudinally for suggesting changes to policies and interventions, and after cross-cultural validation, can be utilized for comparing obesity perceptions across different populations.
Adaptive Recommender System for an Intelligent Classroom Teaching Model
Authors: Lin Hanhui , Xie Shaoqun , Xiao Zhiguo , Deng Xinxin , Yue Hongwei , Cai Ken
Published: March 2019

The development of information technology has facilitated the use of the intelligent classroom model supported by information technology to improve the college students’ comprehensive quality and ability. However, the existing models are too sophisticated to be applied to the actual teaching process, and ignore the individualized teaching characteristics of students. Therefore, an intelligent classroom model with adaptive learning resource recommendation was proposed. First, the entire teaching process was divided into three stages which were used to combine teachers’ teaching and students’ learning. Then the key problems of the learning resources recommendation system was studied and a learning resource recommendation based on TR-LDA (Teaching Resources-Latent Dirichlet Allocation) was proposed and how to be achieved. Finally, the proposed intelligent classroom model was verified in practical teaching. Results show that the intelligent classroom model with adaptive learning resources recommendation can help to improve students’ learning efficiency. The relevant conclusions can be used as a reference for exploring the use of information technology to improve the quality of undergraduate professional course teaching.
Evaluating M-Learning System Adoption by Faculty Members in Saudi Arabia Using Concern Based Adoption Model (CBAM) Stages of Concern
Authors: Al Masarweh Mohammed
Published: March 2019

This study assesses the use of an m-learning system by faculty members in Saudi Arabia using a new approach and methodology. Optimum use of educational technology requires consideration of requirements, obstacles and opportunities expected from user interaction with such systems and tools. While the use of m-learning in Saudi Arabia is relatively new, different research studies have investigated the use of m-learning in Saudi Arabia using different models. Most of the presented models investigated the acceptance and use from student perspectives, with little consideration of adoption by faculty members, their use of m-learning systems and their concerns (i.e. facilitators and barriers) as users. Some of the used models managed to provide significant results in relation to m-learning use, while others were found to lack a systematic and appropriate methodology. Concern Based Adoption Model (CBAM), which is widely used in the USA, Canada and (more recently) the Middle East (particularly Jordan), was used in this study to investigate m-learning adoption as an educational technology in Saudi Arabia. This framework provides tools to evaluate the use of educational technology within educational settings. This framework has not previously been used in Saudi Arabian educational research literature, and it is believed that the output will be valuable for enhancing the level of concern, adoption and use of m-learning in the future.
Modified Roll Technique for Soft Tissue Augmentation in Prosthetic Rehabilitation: A Case Report
Authors: Saquib Shahabe A. , Bhat Mohammed Yunis S. , Javali Mukhtar A. , Shamsuddin Shaheen V. , Khader Mohammed A.
Published: March 2019

There are various causes for residual alveolar ridge defects, most common being the collapse of the cortical plate during extraction. Localized defects of alveolar ridge affect prosthetic restoration due to poor emergence profile of the pontic. Various soft tissue augmentation procedures have been recommended for the correction of these defects. Abrams’s roll technique has been widely used for soft tissue ridge augmentation in the maxillary anterior region where aesthetics is a prime concern. The original Abrams’s roll technique has been modified and revisited by many authors to overcome the limitations. The present clinical case report discusses the modified roll technique as an option to treat alveolar ridge deformity. The current procedure resulted in expectable ridge augmentation, uneventful healing, and good aesthetic outcome. Hence this modified technique can be selected for the treatment of mild to moderate Seibert class I ridge defects in the aesthetic zone.
The Socioecological Framework: A Multifaceted Approach to Preventing Sport-Related Deaths in High School Sports
Authors: Scarneo Samantha E. , Kerr Zachary Y. , Kroshus Emily , Register-Mihalik Johna K. , Hosokawa Yuri , Stearns Rebecca L. , DiStefano Lindsay J. , Casa Douglas J.
Published: March 2019

The socioecological framework is a multilevel conceptualization of health that includes intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, environmental, and public policy factors. The socioecological framework emphasizes multiple levels of influence and supports the idea that behaviors both affect and are affected by various contexts. At present, the sports medicine community's understanding and application of the socioecological framework are limited. In this article, we use the socioecological framework to describe potential avenues for interventions to reduce sport-related deaths among adolescent participants.
Normative Data for the BTrackS Balance Test Concussion-Management Tool: Results From 10 045 Athletes Aged 8 to 21 Years
Authors: Goble Daniel J. , Rauh Mitchell J. , Baweja Harsimran S.
Published: March 2019

Context

Balance tests are a recommended assessment of motor function in concussion protocols. The BTrackS Balance Test (BBT) is a tool for concussion balance testing that uses low-cost force-plate technology to objectively measure postural sway.

Objective

To provide normative data for the BBT in a large population of athletes.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Concussion baseline testing at multiple facilities.

Patients or Other Participants

Male and female athletes (n = 10 045) ages 8 to 21 years.

Intervention(s)

Athletes performed three 20-second trials of eyes-closed standing on the BTrackS Balance Plate with feet shoulder-width apart and hands on hips.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Postural sway was measured as the average total center-of-pressure path length over 3 testing trials.

Results

Postural sway was reduced (ie, balance improved) as athlete age increased and was less in female athletes than in male athletes. Percentile ranking tables were calculated based on sex and 2-year age groupings.

Conclusions

Our findings (1) provide context for BBT results performed in the absence of a baseline test, (2) can help mitigate athlete malingering, and (3) might identify individuals with latent neuromuscular injuries during baseline tests.
Swiss Early Instrumental Meteorological Measurements
Authors: Pfister Lucas , Hupfer Franziska , Brugnara Yuri , Munz Lukas , Villiger Leonie , Meyer Lukas , Schwander Mickhaël , Isotta Francesco Alessandro , Rohr Christian , Brönnimann Stefan
Published: March 2019

Abstract. Decadal variability of weather and its extremes is still poorly understood. This is partly due to the shortness of records, which, for many parts of the world, only allow studies of 20th century weather. However, the 18th and early 19th century have seen some pronounced climatic variations, with equally pronounced impacts on the environment and society. Considerable amounts of weather data are available even for that time, but have not yet been digitised. Given the recent progress in quantitative reconstruction of sub-daily weather, such data could form the basis of weather reconstructions. In Switzerland, measurements before 1864 (the start of the national network) have never been systematically compiled except for three prominent series (Geneva, Basel, Great St. Bernard Pass). Here we provide an overview of early instrumental meteorological measurements in Switzerland resulting from an archive survey. Our inventory encompasses 335 entries from 206 locations, providing an estimated 3640 station years and reaching back to the early 18th century. Most of the data sheets have been photographed and a considerable fraction is undergoing digitisation. This paper accompanies the online publication of the imaged data series and metadata. We provide a detailed inventory of the series, discuss their historical context and provide the photographed data sheets. We demonstrate their usefulness on behalf of two historical cases and show how they complement the existing series in Europe. If similar searches in other countries yield similarly rich results, an extension of daily weather reconstructions for Europe back to the 1760s is possible.
SIGNWRITING: a proposta de leitura para alunos surdos pela transcrição da Língua Brasileira de Sinais
Authors: Carvalho Novaes Edmarcius , Carvalho Novaes Edmara , Rocha de Moura Jéssika
Published: March 2019

Uma nova estratégia de ensino baseada na transição direta dos sinais da Libras – Língua Brasileira de Sinais, denominada “SIGNWRITING”, apresenta-se como importante instrumento pedagógico para alunos surdos. Neste sentido, este artigo objetiva identificar como essa estratégia se constitui instrumento pedagógico para o estímulo à leitura de crianças surdas. A metodologia empregada é revisão bibliográfica (STUMF, 2005; CAPOVILLA, 2005; NOVAES, 2014) e documental. Conclui-se que o “SIGNWRITING” é de significativa importância no desenvolvimento de alunos surdos, fazendo com que consigam, de forma mais aprimorada, adquirirem a sua própria Língua de Sinais – e ao mesmo tempo a Língua Portuguesa enquanto segunda língua – a partir da leitura realizada com esta forma de transição dos sinais.
O viés americano do método Montessori em São Paulo: Ciridião Buarque e Mary Buarque
Authors: Ballmann de Campos Simone
Published: March 2019

Montessori constituiu, em 1907, em Roma, uma escola pública para crianças em situação de risco, a Casa dei Bambini, que difundida transnacionalmente configurou práticas e pensamento educacional inovadores. O objeto desta narrativa historiográfica foi estudar a institucionalização do Método Montessori no Brasil, problematizando a sua forma de apropriação e identificando por que o método é relacionado principalmente ao uso de materiais didáticos específicos e de mobiliário adequado ao tamanho das crianças. Foi constatado que a primeira escola montessoriana no Brasil atendeu ao público infantil, em São Paulo, no ano de 1915, num investimento particular de Ciridião Buarque e Mary Buarque. Esta pedagogia se irradiou por intermédio das apropriações realizadas pelos docentes da Escola Normal da Praça, e da legislação que indicava o uso de materiais didáticos de Montessori e de Froebel, mas de forma desarticulada de tais princípios pedagógicos. Evidências da utilização do Método Montessori em perspectiva não restrita ao uso de materiais didáticos foram encontradas nos programas infantis radiofônicos.
MAGNETORHEOLOGICAL ELASTOMER COMPOSITES BASED ON INDUSTRIAL WASTE NICKEL ZINC FERRITE AND NATURAL RUBBER
Authors: Moksin Nordalila , Ismail Hanafi , Abdullah Muhammad Khalil , Shuib Raa Khimi
Published: March 2019

Magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) based on waste nickel zinc ferrite and natural rubber were prepared. The amount of waste nickel zinc ferrite was varied at five levels (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 phr) to assess the optimum amount of waste nickel zinc ferrite content for highest dynamic mechanical and tensile performance. Curing characteristics of the MREs were determined by moving disk rheometer (MDR 2000), and thermal properties were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Tan δ was measured through parallel and plate rheometer over a frequency range of 0.1–100 Hz and a strain amplitude range of 0.1–6%. Tensile properties were measured with a universal tensile tester. The results revealed that tan δ, tensile properties, and thermal stability of the MREs increased with increase of waste nickel zinc ferrite contents. Anisotropic MREs, which had chain-like columnar structures of magnetic particles in the matrix as a consequence of an applied magnetic field during curing, were found to produce higher dynamic mechanical performance compared with isotropic MREs cured in the absence of a magnetic field.
Multiple solutions for a critical $p(x)$-Kirchhoff type equations
Authors: Tsouli Najib , Haddaoui Mustapha , Hssini El Miloud
Published: March 2019

In this paper, by using the concentration--compactness principle of Lions for variable exponents and variational arguments, we obtain the existence and multiplicity solutions for a class of $p(x)$-Kirchhoff type equations with critical exponent.
A note on super integral rings
Authors: Nath Rajat Kanti
Published: March 2019

Let $R$ be a nite non-commutative ring with center $Z(R)$. The commuting graph of $R$, denoted by $\Gamma_R$, is a simple undirected graph whose vertex set is $R\setminus Z(R)$ and two distinct vertices $x$ and $y$ are adjacent if and only if $xy = yx$. Let$\Spec(\Gamma_R),  \L-Spec(\GammaR)$ and $\Q-Spec(\GammaR)$ denote the spectrum, Laplacian spectrum and signless Laplacian spectrum of  $\Gamma_R$ respectively. A nite non-commutative ring $R$ is called super integral if $\Spec(\Gamma_R), \L-Spec(Gamma_R)$ and $\Q-Spec(\Gamma_R)$ contain only integers. In this paper, we obtain several classes of super integral rings.
A posteriori error estimates for the generalized overlapping domain decomposition method for a parabolic variational equation with mixed boundary condition
Authors: Boulaaras Salah , Habita Khaled , Haiour Mohamed
Published: March 2019

The paper deals with a posteriori error estimates for the generalized overlapping domain decomposition method with mixed boundary condition the interfaces for parabolic variational equation with Laplace boundary value problems are proved using by the theta time scheme combined with Galerkin spatial approximation.
Baylisascaris procyonis Central Nervous System Infection in a Four-Month-Old Gordon Setter Dog
Authors: Heller Heidi Barnes , Arnold Susan , Dreyfus Jennifer L.
Published: March 2019

A 16 wk old intact female Gordon setter was examined for a 2 wk history of progressive cerebellovestibular ataxia. Eosinophilia was found on complete blood count, and the remaining blood work was normal. A trial treatment with clindamycin and anti-inflammatory prednisone did not result in improvement of clinical signs; therefore, the dog was euthanized. On histopathologic examination, cross sections of a 75 μm wide nematode larva with a 5 μm cuticle, prominent lateral cords, lateral alae, and coeloemyelian musculature were identified in a focally extensive region of cerebellar necrosis. The size and morphology of the parasites was most consistent with Baylisascaris procyonis. This case highlights a rare but important zoonotic disease that should be considered as a differential diagnosis in any dog exhibiting acute, progressive central nervous system signs, and peripheral eosinophilia. The index of suspicion should be elevated in dogs with an unknown deworming history and known or suspected exposure to raccoons. Because most anthelminthics have been shown to be effective against B. procyonis, annual deworming is recommended in the at-risk population to reduce the likelihood of aberrant migration and zoonosis.
Diyabetik Makula Ödeminde Bevacizumab Tedavisi: Gerçek Bir Yaşam Çalışması
Authors: GÖKER Yasin Şakir , TEKİN Kemal , KIZILTOPRAK Hasan , ATILGAN Cemile Üçgül , KOSEKAHYA Pınar
Published: March 2019

Amaç: Bu çalışmada diyabetik makula ödemi (DMÖ) tedavisinde

intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) kullanımının 2 yıllık sonuçlarını bir geçek

yaşam çalışması olarak sunulmuştur.

Yöntemler: Bu retrospektif çalışmaya DMÖ nedeniyle 3 yükleme

dozunun ardından pro-re-nata rejimi dahilinde IVB enjeksiyonu yapılan

hastaların iki yıllık sonuçları dahil edildi. Hastaların Snellen eşeline göre

en iyi düzeltilmiş görme keskinlikleri (EİDGK), göz içi basınçları ve ön ve

arka segment bulguları incelendi. Tüm olguların 1. ve 2. yıldaki toplam

enjeksiyon ve vizit sayıları, üç yükleme dozunun tamamlanma süresi, merkezi

makula kalınlığı (MMK) ve EİDGK'deki 3'er ay ara olan değişiklikler değerlendirildi.

Bulgular: Çalışma kapsamında 19 hastanın (8 erkek, 11 kadın)

28 gözü incelendi. Ortalama yaş 60,57 ± 9,58 (41-79) yıl olarak bulundu.

Ortalama başlangıç EİDGK 0,37 ± 0,25 olarak bulundu ve üç yükleme dozunu

takiben 0,51 ± 0,30'a ilerledi (p=0,003). Üç yükleme dozunun tamamlanma

süresinin 89,71 ± 17,24 (61-105) gün olduğu görüldü. 6. ayda ve 12. aydaki

EİDGK sırasıyla 0,58 ± 0,30 ve 0,50 ± 0,29 (sırasıyla p=0,001 ve p=0,006)

olarak izlendi. İlk yılda ortalama enjeksiyon sayısının 6,1 ± 1,91 (3-9); toplam

vizit sayısının ise 8,26 ± 1,99 (5-12) olduğu görüldü. 18. aydaki ve 24. aydaki

EİDGK sırasıyla 0,46 ± 0,31 ve 0,50 ± 0,29 (sırasıyla p=0,046 ve p=0,038)

olarak izlendi. Ortalama başlangıç MMK 398,48 ± 43,59 (341-494) mikron olarak

bulundu ve birinci ve ikinci yılın sonunda sırasıyla 361,73 ± 54,40 (268-476)

ve 322,93 ± 50,69 (220-414) mikrona ilerledi. (sırasıyla p=0,003 ve

p<0,001). İkinci yılda ortalama enjeksiyon sayısının 4,73 ± 2,33 (0-8);

toplam vizit sayısının ise 6,38 ± 1,50 (4-8) olduğu görüldü.

Sonuçlar: Bu çalışmada DMÖ olan olgularda IVB enjeksiyonu

yapılma sürelerinin gerçek yaşam verilerinde klinik çalışmalardan farklılık

gösterebileceğini gösterdik.
Entre la descentralización y la desconcentración de la gestión ambiental: alcances y límites en la actuación de consejos municipales de medio ambiente en el Semiárido Nordestino
Authors: Aguiar Wagner José de , Braga Ricardo Augusto Pessoa
Published: March 2019

The Brazilian Federal Constitution of 1988 had an important role in the induction of political-administrative decentralization as in the elevation of municipalities as a federated entity. In environmental policy, these results have been expressed through the dissemination of municipal environmental councils. In the Northeast of Brazil, a region that has the fewest municipalities with established environmental councils and researches focused on their dynamics, new collegiate instances have been created, without a critical evaluation, among other factors, of the institutional capacity of small municipalities. In this sense, this article discusses the reaches and the limits identificated   in the perfomance of municipal councils of environment in the Northeastern Semiarid, taking as an analytical reference the logics of the decentralization and the desconcentration. Through a bibliographical survey and a case study carried out in the semi-arid municipalities of Pernambuco, it is possible to identify reaches but, above all, limits that hinder the deliberative autonomy of the councils, even in large and economically dynamic municipalities. New studies are suggested, considering the pioneering and new environmental councils, especially in the northeastern states that exhibit the lowest levels of environmental management instruments implemented.
Juan Ramón Jiménez. Perfil biográfico y poético
Authors: Gutiérrez Román Isabel
Published: March 2019

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