bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Matemática e música: Sistematização de analogias entre conteúdos matemáticos e musicais
Authors: Dos Santos-Luiz Carlos , Mónico Lisete , Campelos Sandra , Da Silva Carlos Fernandes
Published: July 2016

Matemáticos e físicos foram encontrando ao longo dos tempos analogias entre matemática e música. Paralelamente, músicos têm-se suportado na matemática para descrever a sua arte. Este artigo consiste numa sistematização das ligações entre conteúdos matemáticos e musicais. Os conteúdos musicais foram divididos nas seguintes temáticas: 1) Teoria eanálise musicais, 2) Acústica e 3) Composição musical. Subsequentemente,em cada uma destas temáticas, as associações à matemática foram sistematizadas tendo em conta a organização dos Programas de Matemática e respetivas Metas Curriculares do Ensino Básico (3º ciclo) e dos Programas de Matemática A e B do 11º e 12º anos do Ensino Secundário português. Concluímos que os elementos e conceitos musicais que se associam à matemática distribuem-se pelas áreas da Aritmética, Álgebra, Trigonometria e,em especial, Geometria.
Critical thinking in the context of clinical practice: The need to reinvent pharmacy education
Authors: De Freitas Erika Lourenço , Ramalho-de-Oliveira Djenane
Published: July 2016

Com o objetivo de compreender como as práticas pedagógicas influenciam o desenvolvimento de competências clínicas em estudantes de farmácia, os autores conduziram uma etnografia crítica utilizando os métodos de observação participante, grupos focais e entrevistas em profundidade com estudantes e professores de uma das dez maiores Faculdades de Farmácia dos Estados Unidos. Os resultados que emergiram de dois semestres de pesquisa de campo mostram que o conhecimento farmacêutico tradicionalmente ensinado não é suficiente para preparar os estudantes para a prática clínica. A incorporação de experiências práticas e da filosofia e arcabouço teórico da atenção farmacêutica no currículo é necessária para preparar os estudantes para o cuidado direto das pessoas. Os resultados deste estudo poderão contribuir para a construção de atividades de ensino que efetivamente desenvolvam competências essenciais nos futuros cuidadores.
EVALUASI BAHASA INGGRIS SEBAGAI BAHASA PENGANTAR DALAM PROSES PEMBELAJARAN DI SDN IDAMAN RSBI BANJARBARU
Authors: Yahya Daud , Suwarjo Suwarjo
Published: July 2016

Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah menggambarkan dan mengevaluasi penerapan Bahasa Inggris sebagai bahasa pengantar dalam proses pembelajaran di SDN Idaman RSBI Banjarbaru. dengan meng-gunakan evaluasi model Kesenjangan. Data dikumpulkan dengan tiga metode yaitu: interview, observasi dan dokumentasi. Dalam wawancara, peneliti menggali tanggapan, pengalaman dan persepsi guru dan Kepala Sekolah terkait dengan Bahasa Inggris sebagai bahasa pengantar. Dalam observasi, peneliti mengumpulkan data tentang materi dan aktivitas pembelajaran. Dalam dokumentasi, peneliti mengumpul-kan data tentang sekolah dan pembelajaran dari dokumen terkait. Untuk mencapai keterpercayaan, inter-pretasi data diverifikasi kembali oleh guru dan Kepala Sekolah sampai tidak ada pertentangan pandangan terhadap makna data tersebut. Akhirnya, analisa data dituangkan dalam metode kualitatif untuk meng-gambarkan hasil dari pengumpulan data. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa penggunaan Bahasa Inggris sebagai bahasa pengantar dalam proses pembelajaran di SDN Idaman RSBI Banjarbaru belum terlaksana sepenuhnya sesuai standar yang ada pada Pedoman Pembelajaran Bahasa Inggris di SD Depdiknas 2008.

Kata kunci: evaluasi bahasa pengantar
SISTEM INDIKATOR NILAI-NILAI MORAL UNIVERSAL SEBAGAI EVALUASI REFLEKTIF PENDIDIKAN KARAKTER DI TK
Authors: Poerwanti Endang
Published: July 2016

Pendidikan karakter adalah upaya menanamkan kebiasaan, agar anak selalu berfikir, bersikap dan berperilaku berdasar nilai-nilai kebaikan. Selama ini belum tersusun ukuran keberhasilan pendi-dikan karakter di TK. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan instrumen asesmen pendidikan karakter di TK dan melakukan analisis hasil penggunaan instrumen dalam konteks TK yang berbeda. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian pengembangan, dengan tiga tahapan yaitu studi awal, tahap perancangan menghasilkan konstruk, instrumen terdiri dari 137 indikator dari 11 nilai pilar karakter (3) ujicoba lapang pada enam TK di Kota Malang yang ditetapkan secara purposive, masing-masing TK diwakili oleh satu Kelas Nol Kecil dan satu Kelas Nol Besar, sampel siswa berjumlah 226 siswa. Kesimpulannya (1) guru sudah mengembangkan pembelajaran berbasis pendidikan karakter, yang dimasukkan bidang pembiasaan yaitu pengembangan moral dan nilai-nilai agama, sosial, emosional dan kemandirian, (2) instrumen asesmen untuk pendidikan karakter di TK adalah inventori yang diisi oleh guru, berupa rating scale pada 137 indikator pengetahuan, sikap dan perilaku anak TK terkait nilai-nilai kebaikan, dan (3) analisis hasil pada konteks TK yang berbeda menunjukkan bahwa secara umum pendidikan karakter sudah mencapai hasil yang baik, pada semua TK, skor paling tinggi ada pada nilai-nilai kerja sama, urutan kedua adalah nilai hormat dan skor paling rendah adalah aspek kebangsaan.
 Kata Kunci : Pendidikan Karakter
PENGARUH IMPLEMENTASI THE 4-E LEARNING CYCLE TERHADAP PENGETAHUAN, KETERAMPILAN PROSES DASAR, DAN SIKAP ILMIAH IPA SISWA SDK KEREROBBO
Authors: Sole Ferdinandus Bele , Wilujeng Insih
Published: July 2016

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh model 4-E learning cycle terhadap: (1) pe-ngetahuan IPA siswa SD, (2) keterampilan proses dasar IPA siswa SD, dan (3) sikap ilmiah IPA siswa SD. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian eksperimen semu. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah selu-ruh siswa kelas V SDK Kererobbo, Kecamatan Kota Tambolaka semester II tahun ajaran 2012/ 2013. Pengambilan sampel dilakukan dengan teknik sampling jenuh untuk dijadikan sebagai kelas eksperi-men dan kelas kontrol. Pada kelas eksperimen dilaksanakan pembelajaran IPA dengan menggunakan model 4-E Learning Cycle, sedangkan pada kelas kontrol menggunakan pembelajaran ekspositori. Instrumen yang digunakan adalah (1) tes terintegrasi untuk mengukur pengetahuan dan keterampilan proses dasar IPA dan (2) skala sikap untuk mengukur sikap ilmiah. Analisis data menggunakan (1) statistik deskriptif untuk mendeskripsikan data pengetahuan, keterampilan proses dasar dan sikap ilmi-ah; dan (2) statistik inferensial dengan menggunakan independent sampel t-test untuk menguji hipote-sis penelitian pada taraf signifikansi 5% (α = 0,05). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa: (1) penerap-an model 4-E learning cycle berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap pengetahuan IPA siswa di SDK Kererobbo dengan nilai sig 0,044; (2) penerapan model 4-E learning cycle berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap keterampilan proses dasar IPA siswa di SDK Kererobbo dengan nilai sig 0,020; dan (3) penerapan model 4-E learning cycle berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap sikap ilmiah siswa di SDK Kererobbo dengan nilai sig 0,000.
 Kata Kunci: the 4-E Learning Cycle, pembelajaran ekspositori, pengetahuan sains, keterampilan proses dasar, sikap ilmiah.
KEEFEKTIFAN MODEL PEMBELAJARAN MATEMATIKA REALISTIK DITINJAU DARI PRESTASI BELAJAR DAN KREATIVITAS SISWA SEKOLAH DASAR
Authors: Budiharti Budiharti , Jailani Jailani
Published: July 2016

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk (1) mendeskripsikan keefektifan model pembelajaran matematika realistik dan cooperative learning tipe Student Team Achievement Divison (STAD) ditinjau dari prestasi belajar dan kreativitas siswa SD pada Mata Pelajaran Matematika, (2) menyelidiki perbedaan keefektifan model pembelajaran matematika realistik dan model cooperative learning  tipe STAD ditinjau dari prestasi belajar dan kreativitas siswa SD. Penelitian ini berjenis eksperimen semu dengan desain Nonequivalent control group design. Terdapat dua kelas eksperimen dan satu kelas kontrol. Populasi adalah siswa MIN Tempel dengan sampel siswa kelas IVA, IVB dan IVC. Uji beda menggunakan MANOVA. Penentuan tingkat keefektifan pembelajaran menggunakan uji t. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ditinjau dari prestasi belajar dan kreativitas siswa, (1) model pembelajaran matematika realistik dan model cooperative learning  tipe STAD sama-sama efektif, (2) terdapat perbedaan kefektifan antara model pembelajaran matematika realistik dengan cooperative learning tipe STAD, (3) model pembelajaran matematika realistik lebih efektif daripada model cooperative learning tipe STAD.
Kata kunci: Pembelajaran Matematika Realistik, prestasi, kreativitas
PENINGKATAN KEPERCAYAAN DIRI DAN PROSES BELAJAR MATEMATIKA MENGGUNAKAN PENDEKATAN REALISTIK PADA SISWA SEKOLAH DASAR
Authors: Yudha Chrisnaji Banindra , Suwarjo Suwarjo
Published: July 2016

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan kepercayaan diri dan proses belajar matematika siswa menggunakan Pendekatan Matematika Realistik (PMR) di kelas V SD N Semaken Kecamatan Kaliba-wang Kabupaten Kulon Progo. Penelitian ini adalah penelitian tindakan kelas (classroom action research) secara kolaboratif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa PMR dengan tahapan (a) pemahaman masalah kontekstual, (b) mendeskripsikan dan menyelesaikan masalah kontekstual, (c) membandingkan dan mendiskusikan jawaban, dan (d) penarikan kesimpulan dapat meningkatkan kepercayaan diri dan proses belajar siswa. Peningkatan kepercayaan diri siswa dapat dilihat dari sebelum dilaksanakan tindakan. Terdapat 3 siswa atau 15 % memunyai kepercayaan diri yang tinggi dan 17 siswa atau 85 % memiliki kepercayan diri yang rendah. Selanjutnya pada siklus I sebanyak 14 siswa atau sebesar 70% memunyai kepercayaan diri yang tinggi dan 6 siswa atau sebesar 30% memiliki kepercayaan diri rendah. Setelah penelitian dilanjutkan pada siklus II, sebanyak 18 siswa atau sebesar 90% memunyai kepercayaan diri yang tinggi dan hanya 2 siswa atau sebesar 10% yang memiliki kepercayaan diri yang rendah. Peningkatan proses belajar ditunjukkan bahwa, dari sebelum tindakan didominasi guru dan setelah diterapkan tindakan didominasi siswa. Dari peningkatan proses belajar berakibat pada peningkatan hasil belajar. Pada siklus I sebanyak 17 siswa atau sebesar 85% telah memenuhi KKM dan 3 siswa atau sebesar 15% belum memenuhi KKM. Setelah dilakukan perbaikan proses belajar siswa pada siklus II, siswa yang memiliki nilai rendah (belum memenuhi KKM) mengalami peningkatan hasil belajarnya. Pada siklus II, jumlah siswa yang memenuhi KKM sebanyak 20 siswa atau 100%.
Kata kunci: PMR, Kepercayaan Diri, dan Proses Belajar
PENINGKATKAN MOTIVASI DAN HASIL BELAJAR BAHASA INDONESIA MENGGUNAKAN MODEL PEMBELAJARAN KREATIF DAN PRODUKTIF
Authors: Oya Rini Ntowe , Budiningsih C. Asri
Published: July 2016

Penelitian ini bertujuan sebagai berikut: (1) mengetahui pelaksanaan model pembelajaran kreatif dan produktif dalam upaya peningkatan motivasi dan hasil belajar siswa kelas V SDN Bhayangkara pada mata pelajaran Bahasa Indonesia dan (2) mengetahui peningkatan hasil belajar siswa kelas V SDN Bhayangkara pada mata pelajaran Bahasa Indonesia setelah menggunakan model pembelajaran kreatif dan produktif. Penelitian ini merupakan Penelitian Tindakan Kelas yang  dilaksanakan dalam dua siklus. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa (1) pembelajaran bahasa Indonesia dengan menggunakan model pembelajaran kreatif dan produktif kelas V di SDN Bhayangkara untuk peningkatan motivasi dan hasil belajar siswa telah terlaksana dan dilakukan dengan tahapan yaitu: (1) tahap orientasi, (2) tahap eksplorasi, (3) tahap interpretasi, (4) tahap rekreasi, dan (5) tahap evaluasi. Hasil lembar observasi menunjukkan bahwa motivasi dan hasil belajar bahasa Indonesia di akhir Siklus II telah mencapai kategori sangat baik yaitu hasil observasi motivasi dan hasil belajar siswa 100%. (2) Peningkatan hasil belajar siswa dapat dilihat dari hasil belajar pada siklus 1 sebanyak 27 siswa atau 87,09% telah memenuhi KKM dan 4 siswa atau 12,91% belum memenuhi KKM. Setelah dilakukan perbaikan hasil belajar siswa pada siklus 2, jumlah siswa yang memenuhi KKM sebanyak 31 siswa atau 100%.
Kata kunci: model pembelajaran kreatif dan produktif, motivasi, dan hasil belajar.
PENGEMBANGAN PERANGKAT PEMBELAJARAN TEMATIK-INTEGRATIF BERBASIS SOSIOKULTURAL BAGI SISWA KELAS 1 SD SERAYU
Authors: Erviana Vera Yuli , Mustadi Ali
Published: July 2016

Penelitian ini bertujuan: (1) menghasilkan perangkat pembelajaran tematik-integratif pada tema pengalamanku berbasis sosiokultural yang layak bagi peserta didik kelas 1 di SD N Serayu, dan (2) mengetahui efektivitas perangkat pembelajaran tematik-integratif pada tema pengalamanku berbasis sosiokultural untuk peserta didik kelas 1 di SD N Serayu. Penelitian pengembangan ini mengacu langkah yang dikembangkan oleh  Borg & Gall. Desain pengembangan tersebut dikelompokkan atas empat prosedur pengembangan, yang meliputi: (a) eksplorasi, (b) pengembangan draft/prototype, (c) uji coba produk dan revisi, dan (d) validasi akhir. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa perangkat pembelajaran ditinjau dari aspek silabus, aspek RPP, aspek media pembelajaran, dan aspek soal tes hasil belajar menurut ahli materi, ahli media, dan ahli evaluasi berkategori “sangat baik”. Penerapan perangkat pembelajaran secara umum dapat terlaksana dengan kategori “sangat baik”. Terdapat perbedaan hasil akhir antara kelas kontrol dan kelas eksperimen setelah menggunakan perangkat pembelajaran tematik-integratif berbasis sosiokultural dengan p < 0,05 kemudian terjadi pula peningkatan yang signifikan dengan p = 0,0001.
Kata Kunci: perangkat pembelajaran, tematik-integratif,  pembelajaran berbasis sosiokultural

DEVELOPING INTEGRATED THEMATIC TEACHING KIT ON SOCIOCULTURE OF SD SERAYU 

Abstract

This research aims to: (1) develop an integrated teaching kit on the theme “Pengalamanku” based on socioculture, that is eligible for the first grade students of SD N Serayu, and (2) reveal the effectiveness an integrated teaching kit on the theme “Pengalamanku” based on socioculture, that is eligible for the first grade students of SD N Serayu. This developmental study refers to the model suggested by Borg & Gall. The developmental design was grouped into four developmental procedures, consisting of: (a) exploration, (b) development of draft/prototype, (c) product testing and revisions, and (d) final validation. The research finding reveals that the teaching kit in terms of the syllabus, lesson plans, learning media, and achievement test aspects is categorized by subject matter, learning media, and evaluation expert "very good". Generally, the implementation of the teaching kit falls in the “very good” category. There is a difference in the learning achievement between the experimental class and the control class after the use of the integrated thematic teaching kit based on socioculture with p < 0.05, and there is also a significant increase, with p = 0,0001.
Keywords: teaching kit, integrated thematic, sociocultural based learning
Piaci hatékonyság a 2008-as gazdasági világválság kapcsán
Authors: Bakosi Balázs , Szűcs Ákos
Published: July 2016

Minden befektető számára központi kérdés az árfolyamok előre jelezhetősége. A modern pénzügyi szakirodalomban újra vita alakult ki a piaci hatékonyság helytállóságával kapcsolatban, főként a 2008- as gazdasági világválság kapcsán. Tanulmányunk célja, hogy kiderítsük a piaci hatékonyság elméletének helytállóságát a magyar, illetve – referenciaként felhasználva – az amerikai értékpapírokon. Vizsgálataink során klasszikusnak számító statisztikai eszközökön túl (autokorrelációs függvény, Ljung-Box teszt, Augmented Dickey-Fuller teszt) a szakirodalom újfajta megközelítéseit (variancia hányados teszt) is felhasználtunk. Az egyszerű hipotézisvizsgálatokon kívül igyekeztünk szétválasztani az eltérő jellegű idősorokat, illetve megmagyarázni a különböző viselkedések okait.

Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) codes: G140
Efficacy and Safety of Multiple Doses of Exenatide Once-Monthly Suspension in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Phase II Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Wysham Carol H. , MacConell Leigh , Hardy Elise
Published: July 2016

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the efficacy and safety of multiple exenatide once-monthly suspension (QMS) doses of exenatide-containing microspheres in Miglyol referenced against the clinical dose of exenatide once-weekly (QW) microspheres in aqueous solution.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In this phase II, randomized, controlled, single-blind study, 121 adults (∼30/arm) with type 2 diabetes and HbA1c 7.1–11.0% (54–97 mmol/mol) were randomized 1:1:1:1 to subcutaneous exenatide QW 2 mg (self-administered) or exenatide QMS 5, 8, or 11 mg (caregiver-administered) for 20 weeks. The primary end point was change in HbA1c.

RESULTS

At baseline, mean age was 50 years, HbA1c was 8.5% (69 mmol/mol), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was 184 mg/dL, and body weight was 98 kg. At week 20, mean ± SD HbA1c reductions were −1.54% ± 1.26% with exenatide QW and −1.29% ± 1.07%, −1.31% ± 1.66%, and −1.45% ± 0.93% with exenatide QMS 5, 8, and 11 mg, respectively (evaluable population: n = 110). There were no significant differences in HbA1c reductions among the exenatide QMS doses. FPG reductions were −34 ± 48 mg/dL with exenatide QW and −25 ± 43, −30 ± 52, and −49 ± 49 mg/dL with exenatide QMS 5, 8, and 11 mg, respectively. Weight decreased with all treatments. For exenatide QMS, nausea (16.7–23.3%) and headache (16.7–26.7%) were the most common adverse events. No major or minor hypoglycemia occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

All doses of exenatide QMS resulted in efficacy and tolerability profiles consistent with exenatide QW. These results combined with pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling could inform dose selection for further development.
Positioning SGLT2 Inhibitors/Incretin-Based Therapies in the Treatment Algorithm
Authors: Wilding John P.H. , Rajeev Surya Panicker , DeFronzo Ralph A.
Published: July 2016

Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are the most recent addition to the therapeutic options available for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and became available after the introduction of incretin-based therapies, dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs). These agents have potential advantages with regard to their weight loss–promoting effect, low risk of hypoglycemia, reduction in blood pressure, and reduction in cardiovascular events in high-risk patients (with empagliflozin). Apart from these clinically important outcomes, they may also correct core defects present in type 2 diabetes (i.e., improvement in β-cell function and insulin sensitivity). They do, however, have some adverse effects, notably, nausea with GLP-1 RAs and genital tract infections and potential for volume depletion with SGLT2i. Whether incretin-based therapies are associated with an increased risk of pancreatitis is unclear. Most recently, diabetic ketoacidosis has been reported with SGLT2i. Therefore, a key clinical question in relation to guidelines is whether these clinical advantages, in the context of the adverse effect profile, outweigh the additional cost compared with older, more established therapies. This article reviews the therapeutic rationale for the use of these newer drugs for diabetes treatment, considers their place in current guidelines, and discusses how this may change as new data emerge about their long-term efficacy and safety from ongoing outcome trials.
SGLT2 Inhibitors and the Diabetic Kidney
Authors: Fioretto Paola , Zambon Alberto , Rossato Marco , Busetto Luca , Vettor Roberto
Published: July 2016

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide. Blood glucose and blood pressure control reduce the risk of developing this complication; however, once DN is established, it is only possible to slow progression. Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, the most recent glucose-lowering oral agents, may have the potential to exert nephroprotection not only through improving glycemic control but also through glucose-independent effects, such as blood pressure–lowering and direct renal effects. It is important to consider, however, that in patients with impaired renal function, given their mode of action, SGLT2 inhibitors are less effective in lowering blood glucose. In patients with high cardiovascular risk, the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin lowered the rate of cardiovascular events, especially cardiovascular death, and substantially reduced important renal outcomes. Such benefits on DN could derive from effects beyond glycemia. Glomerular hyperfiltration is a potential risk factor for DN. In addition to the activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, renal tubular factors, including SGLT2, contribute to glomerular hyperfiltration in diabetes. SGLT2 inhibitors reduce sodium reabsorption in the proximal tubule, causing, through tubuloglomerular feedback, afferent arteriole vasoconstriction and reduction in hyperfiltration. Experimental studies showed that SGLT2 inhibitors reduced hyperfiltration and decreased inflammatory and fibrotic responses of proximal tubular cells. SGLT2 inhibitors reduced glomerular hyperfiltration in patients with type 1 diabetes, and in patients with type 2 diabetes, they caused transient acute reductions in glomerular filtration rate, followed by a progressive recovery and stabilization of renal function. Interestingly, recent studies consistently demonstrated a reduction in albuminuria. Although these data are promising, only dedicated renal outcome trials will clarify whether SGLT2 inhibitors, in addition to their glycemic and blood pressure benefits, may provide nephroprotective effects.
Anti-inflammatory Agents in the Treatment of Diabetes and Its Vascular Complications
Authors: Pollack Rena M. , Donath Marc Y. , LeRoith Derek , Leibowitz Gil
Published: July 2016

The association between hyperglycemia and inflammation and vascular complications in diabetes is now well established. Antidiabetes drugs may alleviate inflammation by reducing hyperglycemia; however, the anti-inflammatory effects of these medications are inconsistent and it is unknown whether their beneficial metabolic effects are mediated via modulation of chronic inflammation. Recent data suggest that immunomodulatory treatments may have beneficial effects on glycemia, β-cell function, and insulin resistance. However, the mechanisms underlying their beneficial metabolic effects are not always clear, and there are concerns regarding the specificity, safety, and efficacy of immune-based therapies. Herein, we review the anti-inflammatory and metabolic effects of current antidiabetes drugs and of anti-inflammatory therapies that were studied in patients with type 2 diabetes. We discuss the potential benefit of using anti-inflammatory treatments in diabetes and important issues that should be addressed prior to implementation of such therapeutic approaches.
Pharmacological Approaches in the Treatment and Maintenance of Weight Loss
Authors: Van Gaal Luc , Dirinck Eveline
Published: July 2016

Obesity is a growing global health concern, associated with a number of important comorbid conditions. It increases the risk of diabetes and contributes to development of cardiovascular disease. While the benefits of weight loss are well established, weight reduction remains a difficult-to-reach goal in overweight and obese individuals due to several metabolic and psychological factors. For many patients, lifestyle intervention is insufficient to achieve long-term weight loss, and additional options, such as pharmacotherapy, need to be considered. Besides the challenging enterprise of weight reduction, weight maintenance remains an even more crucial and outcome-determining aspect of weight management. This article focuses on the potential of currently available pharmacological strategies to support weight loss and maintenance goals in individuals at risk. Two pharmacotherapy types are considered: those developed primarily to induce weight loss and those developed primarily for blood glucose control that have a favorable effect on body weight. Finally, the potential of very low- and low-calorie diets combined with pharmacotherapy and pharmacological combination therapies are discussed, as well as emerging approaches in development.
Survey of practices and perceptions regarding feline onychectomy among private practitioners
Authors: Ruch-Gallie Rebecca , Hellyer Peter W. , Schoenfeld-Tacher Regina , Kogan Lori R.
Published: July 2016

OBJECTIVE To estimate the proportion of veterinarians working with feline patients in private practices who do or do not perform onychectomy and assess attitudes regarding and practices related to onychectomy in a large population of veterinary practitioners.

DESIGN Anonymous online survey.

SAMPLE 3,441 veterinarians.

PROCEDURES An online survey was provided to members of the Veterinary Information Network from June 18, 2014, through July 9, 2014. Descriptive statistics and frequency distributions for applicable response types were calculated, and Mann-Whitney U tests were conducted to compare responses to onychectomy-related opinion questions between respondents who indicated they did or did not perform the procedure. Not all respondents answered every question.

RESULTS 2,503 of 3,441 (72.7%) survey respondents reported performing onychectomy, and 827 (24.0%) indicated they did not; 1,534 of 2,498 (61.4%) performing the procedure reported a frequency of < 1 onychectomy/month. Most (2,256/3,023 [74.6%]) respondents who performed onychectomy indicated that they recommended nonsurgical alternatives. Surgical techniques and approaches to analgesia varied, with use of a scalpel only (1,046/1,722 [60.7%]) and perioperative administration of injectable opioids (1,933/2,482 [77.9%]) most commonly reported. Responses to opinion questions in regard to the degree of pain associated with onychectomy and recovery; whether declawing is a form of mutilation, is necessary in some cats for behavioral reasons, or is a necessary alternative to euthanasia in some cats; and whether state organizations should support a legislative ban on onychectomy differed significantly between respondents who did and did not perform the procedure.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Onychectomy is a controversial topic, and this was reflected in survey results. In this sample, most veterinarians performing the procedure reported that they did so infrequently, and most offered nonsurgical alternatives to the procedure.
Treatment of sarcoids in equids: 230 cases (2008–2013)
Authors: Haspeslagh Maarten , Vlaminck Lieven E. M. , Martens Ann M.
Published: July 2016

OBJECTIVE To evaluate outcomes following treatment of sarcoids in equids and to identify risk factors for treatment failure in these patients.

DESIGN Retrospective case series.

ANIMALS 230 equids with 614 sarcoids.

PROCEDURES Records were searched to identify equids treated for ≥ 1 sarcoid between 2008 and 2013. A standardized protocol was used to determine treatment choice (electrosurgery, electrosurgery with intralesional placement of cisplatin-containing beads, topical administration of imiquimod or acyclovir, cryosurgery, bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine injection, or intralesional injection of platinum-containing drugs). Data regarding animal, tumor, treatment, and outcome variables were collected. Complete tumor regression without recurrence for ≥ 6 months was considered a successful outcome. Success rates were calculated; binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for treatment failure and to compare effects of the 2 topical treatments. A χ2 test was used to compare effects of the number of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine or cisplatin-containing drug injections on outcome.

RESULTS The overall success rate was 460 of 614 (74.9%). Electrosurgical excision resulted in the highest treatment success rate (277/319 [86.8%]); odds of treatment failure were significantly greater for intralesional injection of platinum-containing drugs, cryosurgery, and topical acyclovir treatment. Odds of treatment failure were also significantly greater for sarcoids on equids with multiple tumors than for solitary lesions, and significantly lower for sarcoids on equids that received concurrent immunostimulating treatment for another sarcoid than for those on patients that did not receive such treatment.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Selection bias for treatments was inherent to the study design; however, results may assist clinicians in selecting treatments and in determining prognosis for equids with sarcoids treated according to the described methods.
Separation of surface, subsurface and volume fatigue damage effects in AISI 348 steel for power plant applications
Authors: Klein Martin , Starke Peter , Nowak David , Boller Christian , Walther Frank
Published: July 2016

A wide range of industries including energy, chemistry, pharmacy, textiles, food and drink, pulp and paper, etc. is using stainless steels. Metastable austenitic steels such as used in power plants and chemical industry are subjected to cyclic mechanical and thermal loading in air as well as under the influence of corrosive media. This paper provides an overview on different nondestructive and electrochemical measurement techniques, which allow differentiating fatigue damage effects in total strain controlled multiple and constant amplitude tests with respect to damage appearance on surface, in subsurface area as well as in volume of specimens or components microstructure. In addition to conventional mechanical stress-strain hysteresis curves, electrical resistance, magnetic and open circuit potential measurements have been applied to characterize the cyclic deformation behavior of the metastable austenitic steel AISI 348 (X10CrNiNb18-9) in laboratory air and in distilled water. Based on these results obtained, the paper provides an outlook on the possibility for an efficient (remaining) fatigue life evaluation approach, which is adapted to the needs of the application areas.
Effect of aggregate gradation on permanent deformation behavior of a warm mix asphalt
Authors: Sangsefidi Ebrahim , Mansourkhaki Ali , Ziari Hasan
Published: July 2016

In this study, the rut susceptibility of warm mix asphalt (WMA) was evaluated by laboratory material characterization tests that included repeated creep testing using universal testing machine (UTM-5P) on WMA and conventional hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures. With regard to the fact that aggregate makes up a high proportion of volume and mass of mixtures, this parameter is considered as an important constituent of asphalt concrete. So, one aggregate source, three gradations and three different percentages of Sasobit® content were used to manufacture mixtures. Four creep parameters, namely, flow number (FN), creep stiffness (CS), creep strain slope (CSS) and secondary initial point (SIP), were used to analyze the test results. The primary objective of this research effort was to conduct a comparison between permanent deformation of HMA and WMA mixtures and also to evaluate the effect of aggregate gradation and different Sasobit® contents on introduced creep parameters. Analysis of data shows that the creep behavior of both asphalt mixtures (HMA and WMA) was influenced by aggregate gradation and also by Sasobit® content. Comparison of test results between HMA and WMA exhibits that, in general, WMA mixtures exhibit improved rut resistance compared to conventional mixtures. Also, it is concluded that creep strength of WMA mixes are more susceptible to change in aggregate gradation compared to HMA mixes, while increasing in Sasobit® content produce more stable mixtures. In addition, it is determined that finer aggregate gradations were more influenced by change in the Sasobit® content.
Optimization of drilling parameters for fiber metal mesh laminate composites using Grey relational analysis
Authors: Sakthivel Munisamy , Vijayakumar Subramani
Published: July 2016

Fiber metal laminate (FML) composite materials are an economical alternative to engineering materials because of their superior properties. While assembling these composites, drilling is unavoidable. Drilling of such materials is a difficult task because of the drilling induced damage. Reducing this damage requires an optimization of the drilling parameters. The main focus on the optimization of the process parameters in drilling of fiber metal mesh laminate (FMML) composites lies in the application of the Taguchi procedure with Grey relational analysis (GRA). In the respective drilling experiments, coated drills were used for the FMML which was specially made with stainless steel wire mesh (SSWM) in the middle layer and woven glass fiber on top and on bottom layer using vacuum bag molding. The drilling parameters such as point angle, spindle speed and feed rate were optimized with concern of multiple performance characteristics, such as thrust force, delamination factor and roundness. The results of the GRA indicate that the feed rate is the most influential parameter. The experimental results illustrate that with the help of the optimal drilling conditions, the machining performance in the complete composite component production process can be improved.
Effects of FSW parameters and pin geometry on the weldability of EN AW 2024 alloy
Authors: Kasman Şefika
Published: July 2016

Fusion welding techniques are not recommended for the welding of EN AW 2024 aluminum alloy due to its dendritic structure, porosity, slug inclusion and distortion, etc. To prevent a decrease in weld joint strength, solid state welding techniques represent a more suitable alternative. Friction stir welding is commonly used for welding of aluminum alloys due to the welding temperature which is below melting point. The aim of the present study is to determine the optimal friction stir welding parameters using Taguchi-based Grey relational analysis. The tool pin shape, tool rotational speed and welding speed were considered as process parameters, while the ultimate tensile strength and percentage of elongation were considered as performance characteristics. The optimal level of each welding parameter was determined by the highest mean Grey relational grade of each parameter. The predicted optimal welding condition was confirmed by experiments. The effect of each parameter on the Grey relational grade was investigated using the probability value and the percentage contribution obtained from the analysis of variance. The results of the Grey relational analysis showed that the optimal friction stir welding parameter combination was the pin shape at first level with tool rotational speed of 500 rpm and welding speed of 80 mm × min−1 (PS1TRS1WS2). The evaluation of analysis of variance results indicated that the parameter with the highest contribution to the Grey relational grade value was the tool rotational speed, 39.79 %, and also, it has a large effect, at a 90 % significance level. An investigation of the macrostructure of each welded joint exhibited a sound weld joint for the triangular shaped pin. The tool rotational speed of 800 and 1000 rpm produced the lowest quality in welded joints due to a range of defects in the nugget zone.
Development of a mathematical model and its application to the stress evolution of a multi-crystalline silicon billet during continuous casting
Authors: Hu Yan , Li Muyi , Hao Hai
Published: July 2016

A mathematical model of the continuous casting process for multi-crystalline silicon billet has been developed to predict the stress evolution in the billet using the commercial finite element package, ProCAST. The calculated temperature was validated by the measured data, and the good agreement shows the reliability of the present model. The effects of casting parameters on the stress of a billet were investigated and the simulation results were validated by the analytical calculation data. The results indicated that the stress slightly decreased with the increasing of the pouring temperature. With increasing the cooling intensity in the secondary cooling zone and decreasing the casting speed, the billet stress increased. In the present work, it was found that at a pouring temperature of 1560°C, with air cooling in the secondary cooling zone and a casting speed of 1 mm s–1, a billet with low stress could be continuously cast.
A metastable phase diagram for the dynamic transformation of austenite at temperatures above the Ae3
Authors: Aranas Clodualdo , Jung In-Ho , Yue Stephen , Rodrigues Samuel F. , Jonas John J.
Published: July 2016

A method is proposed for calculation of the pseudobinary phase diagram associated with the dynamic transformation of austenite to ferrite. Here the driving force is taken as the difference between the austenite flow stress at the moment of initiation and the yield stress of the fresh Widmanstätten ferrite that takes its place. The energy opposing the transformation consists of the Gibbs energy difference between austenite and ferrite at temperatures above the Ae3 and the work of accommodating the shear displacements and dilatation associated with the phase change. A metastable phase diagram is calculated for a 0.30 wt.% Mn-0.01 wt.% Si steel by balancing the driving force against the three obstacles. The results show that, under dynamic conditions, the ferrite phase field extends all the way from room temperature to that for the formation of delta ferrite.
Lazy Labor, Modernization, and Coloniality
Authors: Tejada Jaime Moreno
Published: July 2016

This article examines two distinct yet overlapping cultures of mobility in turn-of-the-century Ecuador. On the one hand, there was a modernizing culture that sought to implement utopian modes of transportation between the Andes and the Amazon. On the other hand, there were indigenous porters and pilots, who had nonhegemonic ideas about mobility and labor. This article argues that (1) indigenous labor was based on the performance of colonial habits, which I refer to as coloniality; (2) within this framework of spatial practice, native bodily rhythms could be interpreted as successful tactics of everyday resistance; and (3) the conflict between Indians and non-Indians reveals a universal, modern tension between machine and humanlike mobilities.
“Africa, Are We There Yet?” Taking African Mobilities Seriously—Concluding Remarks
Authors: Matereke Kudzai
Published: July 2016

Adopting an African-focused perspective in the analysis of African experiences
of mobility enables us to confront the limits imposed by a historicist-induced
articulation of African experiences of mobility. This article offers some
concluding remarks to a section on African mobilities and attempts a critical
analysis of how an African-based perspective of mobility serves to decenter or
provincialize the Western-centric discourses of mobility. This undertaking is
important in the attempts to fashion African modes of thought that serve as a
counternarrative to European thought and to subvert the misrepresentations
of im/mobilities of Africa and things African.
Seeing Is Being
Authors: Dettke Julia
Published: July 2016

The New Girlfriend (Une nouvelle amie), France 2014, Mandarin Films and Foz, directed and written by François Ozon, after a story by Ruth Rendell, starring Romain Duris, Anaïs Demoustier, and Raphaël Personnaz.
Surgical Treatment of Left Main Coronary Artery Disease  Off-Pump CABG is a Good Option
Authors: Mahmood Khawaja Nasir Uddin , Mandal Subhash Chandra , Talukdar Saiful Haque
Published: July 2016

There has been increasing interest in the potential benefit of off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery when compared to conventional coronary artery bypass (CCAB) using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in the presence of critical left main stem (LMS) Disease. A prospective observational study was conducted from January 2006 to June 2012 in the Department of Cardiac Surgery in the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Dhaka. The study included total 110 patients with LMS disease who underwent CABG. 25 cases were done under CPB and 85 cases were done on beating heart. The two groups had similar baseline characteristics including age, sex, risk-factors, comorbid conditions and extent of coronary artery disease. There was no difference between the groups with respect to mortality, but the incidence of post-operative bleeding (p<0.05) , blood requirement (p d0.05), inotropic and ventilatory support, intensive care unit (ICU) care and post-operative hospital stay (p<0.05) were significantly reduced when performing off-pump CABG in this high-risk group of patients.Bangladesh Heart Journal 2015; 30(2) : 61-67
Prolonged Sinus Pause with Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Ahmed Farhana , Rahman Afzalur
Published: July 2016

Cardiac rhythm during sleep is influenced by the autonomic nervous system and various pathological states. Most arrhythmias that occur during sleep are detected incidentally on Holter monitoring, and are in fact benign. However, sometimes they may be an important clue to an underlying disorder requiring further investigation and treatment. Efforts should be given to recognize factors predisposing to sleeprelated arrhythmias; successful management of an underlying disorder can prevent and treat potentially dangerous cardiac rhythms. Here we describe a case of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome presenting with prolonged pause on Holter monitoring, which was corrected by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.Bangladesh Heart Journal 2015; 30(2) : 96-99
Soil weed seed bank: Importance and management for sustainable crop production- A Review
Authors: Hossain MM , Begum M
Published: July 2016

The seed bank is the resting place of weed seeds and is an important component of the life cycle of weeds. Seed banks are the sole source of future weed populations of the weed species both annuals and perennials that reproduce only by seeds. For this reason, understanding fate of seeds in the seed bank can be an important component of overall weed control. When weed seeds enter the seed bank, several factors influence the duration for which seeds persist. Seeds can sense the surrounding environment in the seed bank and use these stimuli to become dormant or initiate germination. Soil and crop management practices can directly influence the environment of seeds in the soil weed seed bank and can thus be used to manage seed longevity and germination behavior of weed seeds.J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 13(2): 221-228, December 2015
Orwell's ‘Barbarous’ Patriotism
Authors: Glassford John
Published: July 2016

It is not always clear what the well-spring of patriotic feeling might be, and ‘patriots’ often have difficulty articulating the origins of their passion, though sources are seldom mysterious. In this article, it is suggested that George Orwell was one such example. With the Lacanian proposition that the unconscious is structured like a language as a default position, it is evident that Orwell's texts on nationalism, patriotism, and education clearly exhibit confusion. More specifically, it is when Orwell tries to disentangle ‘Englishness’ from ‘Scottishness’ that we see that despite his apparent sophistication as a journalist and propagandist, his account of Englishness is little more than patriarchal, nationalist chauvinism of the kind he claimed to despise. The attentive reader can see it in his texts, but he was blind to the contradiction.
Solvent-Free Selective Condensations Based on the Formation of the Olefinic (C=C) Bond Catalyzed by Organocatalyst
Authors: Song Heyuan , Jin Ronghua , Jin Fuxiang , Kang Meirong , Li Zhen , Chen Jing
Published: July 2016

Pyrrolidine and its derivatives were used to catalyze aldol and Knoevenagel condensations for the formation of the olefinic (C=C) bond under solvent-free conditions. The 3-pyrrolidinamine showed high activity and afforded excellent yields of α,β-unsaturated compounds. The aldol condensation of aromatic/heterocyclic aldehydes with ketones affords enones in high conversion (99.5%) and selectivity (92.7%). Good to excellent yields of α,β-unsaturated compounds were obtained in the Knoevenagel condensation of aldehydes with methylene-activated substrates.
A Novel, Simple and Green Way to Fabricate BiVO4 with Excellent Photocatalytic Activity and Its Methylene Blue Decomposition Mechanism
Authors: Guo Minna , He Qianglong , Wang Aiyang , Wang Weimin , Fu Zhengyi
Published: July 2016

BiVO4 photocatalysts were synthesized via a facile surfactant-free method with heat treatment. The heat treatment temperatures influenced the crystal structures and morphologies. The photocatalytic performance is associated with its crystallinity, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface area, and band gap energy. The BiVO4 photocatalyst prepared by heat treatment at 700 °C showed the highest photocatalytic activity, promoting 100% degradation of methylene blue (MB) in 60 min under visible-light irradiation. Recycling experiments results indicated that the BiVO4 photocatalysts have excellent photo-stability, and a possible mechanism for the photocatalytic process was proposed by examining the effects of the active species involved in MB degradation. This work could provide new insights into the fabrication of highly efficient and stable BiVO4 photocatalysts for dye degradation.
Complex Dynamics of a Continuous Bertrand Duopoly Game Model with Two-Stage Delay
Authors: Ma Junhai , Si Fengshan
Published: July 2016

This paper studies a continuous Bertrand duopoly game model with two-stage delay. Our aim is to investigate the influence of delay and weight on the complex dynamic characteristics of the system. We obtain the bifurcation point of the system respect to delay parameter by calculating. In addition, the dynamic properties of the system are simulated by power spectrum, attractor, bifurcation diagram, the largest Lyapunov exponent, 3D surface chart, 4D Cubic Chart, 2D parameter bifurcation diagram, and 3D parameter bifurcation diagram. The results show that the stability of the system depends on the delay and weight, in order to maintain stability of price and ensure the firm profit, the firms must control the parameters in the reasonable region. Otherwise, the system will lose stability, and even into chaos, which will cause fluctuations in prices, the firms cannot be profitable. Finally, the chaos control of the system is carried out by a control strategy of the state variables’ feedback and parameter variation, which effectively avoid the damage of chaos to the economic system. Therefore, the results of this study have an important practical significance to make decisions with multi-stage delay for oligopoly firms.
New Electro-Thermal Battery Pack Model of an Electric Vehicle
Authors: Alhanouti Muhammed , Gießler Martin , Blank Thomas , Gauterin Frank
Published: July 2016

Since the evolution of the electric and hybrid vehicle, the analysis of batteries’ characteristics and influence on driving range has become essential. This fact advocates the necessity of accurate simulation modeling for batteries. Different models for the Li-ion battery cell are reviewed in this paper and a group of the highly dynamic models is selected for comparison. A new open circuit voltage (OCV) model is proposed. The new model can simulate the OCV curves of lithium iron magnesium phosphate (LiFeMgPO4) battery type at different temperatures. It also considers both charging and discharging cases. The most remarkable features from different models, in addition to the proposed OCV model, are integrated in a single hybrid electrical model. A lumped thermal model is implemented to simulate the temperature development in the battery cell. The synthesized electro-thermal battery cell model is extended to model a battery pack of an actual electric vehicle. Experimental tests on the battery, as well as drive tests on the vehicle are performed. The proposed model demonstrates a higher modeling accuracy, for the battery pack voltage, than the constituent models under extreme maneuver drive tests.