bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Διερεύνηση της εκπαιδευτικής αποτελεσματικότητας της συνδυασμένης μάθησης για τη διδασκαλία των προπτυχιακών φοιτητών Οδοντιατρικής
Authors: Καβαδέλλα Αργυρώ , Τσιχλάκης Κώστας , Βουγιουκλάκης Γιώργος , Λιοναράκης Αντώνης
Published: June 2016

Σκοπός της μελέτης ήταν να διερευνηθεί η μαθησιακή αποτελεσματικότητα της συνδυασμένης μάθησης για τη θεωρητική εκπαίδευση των προπτυχιακών φοιτητών Οδοντιατρικής. Μεθοδολογία: Διαμορφώθηκε ένα πρωτότυπο σεμινάριο με θέμα
«Ακτινογραφική διαφορική διάγνωση μικτών οστικών βλαβών», του οποίου η ηλεκτρονική μορφή μεταφορτώθηκε στην εκπαιδευτική πλατφόρμα της Σχολής. Δύο ομάδες τελειόφοιτων φοιτητών (συνδυασμένη-συμβατική) παρακολούθησαν το σεμινάριο. Οι φοιτητές συμπλήρωσαν ερωτηματολόγια σχετικά με τις στάσεις, τις αντιλήψεις τους και την αξιολόγηση του σεμιναρίου, καθώς και τεστ γνώσεων πριν και μετά το σεμινάριο. Η εκπαιδευτική αποτελεσματικότητα προσδιορίσθηκε από τη βαθμολογία των φοιτητών και τις απαντήσεις στα ερωτηματολόγια. Αποτελέσματα: Oι τελικοί βαθμοί του τεστ γνώσεων αυξήθηκαν σε στατιστικά σημαντικό βαθμό σε σχέση με τους αρχικούς. Στους τελικούς βαθμούς, υπάρχει στατιστικά σημαντική διαφορά μεταξύ των βαθμών των δύο ομάδων, ενώ τα κορίτσια είχαν τις υψηλότερες βαθμολογίες. Οι φοιτητές αξιολόγησαν υψηλά το «περιεχόμενο» και την «οργάνωση» του σεμιναρίου, καθώς και τον «σχεδιασμό» και τη «σαφήνεια των οδηγιών» του ηλεκτρονικού σεμιναρίου. Το 91% των φοιτητών της συνδυασμένης ομάδας χαρακτήρισε ως πολύ χρήσιμη την πρόσωπο-με-πρόσωπο συνάντηση, ενώ επίσης αξιολόγησαν υψηλά τη συμπεριφορά, την υποστήριξη και τις επικοινωνιακές ικανότητες του διδάσκοντα. Συμπεράσματα: Η συνδυασμένη μάθηση φαίνεται αποτελεσματική κατά την εφαρμογή της στην προπτυχιακή εκπαίδευση και οι φοιτητές διάκεινται θετικά προς αυτή.
Papafeio epistolary corpus as a resource in teaching LSP
Authors: STORNELLI GIANFRANCA
Published: June 2016

The paper is about the challenge of approaching the teaching of economic and cultural (Italian) issues through a nineteenthcentury resource. What could be a reliable material to build the intercultural bridge necessary to a translator, specialized in economics and history? Papafeio Archive and its epistolary Italian corpus can be useful under various respects. The letters are very interesting to the modern reader, since they show a cultural cross section of the nineteenth century Maltese, and generally Mediterranean, society. At first sight this conspicuous (598 letters) material could be considered obsolete, but in fact it is both productive and reliable in order to teach LSP. There are at least three main reasons for that.   1) The language itself: Italian and, more precisely, Italian language in the Mediterranean basin, that is Southern Italy and Malta, during nineteenth century.  2) Cultural models: they are stronger in epistolary corpora. 3) Specialized language:  Papafis himself was a broker, and his letters often deal with business transactions in a strongly connoted cultural context. The paper shows how what we consider obsolete material can cover the cultural gap contained in an economic/historic text. Moreover it demonstrates the necessity for a deep intralinguistic intertemporal perception and knowledge of the Italian language cultural system as a primary instrument for the mediation process that a (Greek) translator should provide.

 
Transplantation assessment of degraded Posidonia oceanica habitats: site selection and long-term monitoring
Authors: PIRROTTA M. , TOMASELLO A. , SCANNAVINO A. , DI MAIDA G. , LUZZU F. , BELLISSIMO G. , BELLAVIA C. , COSTANTINI C. , ORESTANO C. , SCLAFANI G. , CALVO S.
Published: June 2016

A model developed for Zostera marina was adapted and used to select suitable areas for Posidonia oceanica transplantation in the Gulf of Palermo, where recent rehabilitation programmes have reduced human pressure. This model consists of three steps: (1) habitat selection, by calculation of the Preliminary Transplant Suitability Index (PTSI); (2) field assessments and test-transplanting, to evaluate the site suitability and to estimate the effects of tearing on transplant units (about 50%); (3) identification of suitable restoration sites, by calculation of the Transplant Suitability Index (TSI). A new parameter was added to the literature model: the number of grids detached, which is linked to factors (hydrodynamic regime, anchoring, fishing) that have a potentially great effect on the final outcome of the transplant. Only one site (TSI = 16) in the Gulf of Palermo was indicated as potentially suitable for restoration with P. oceanica. In this site, a transplant of 40 m2 was implemented. From 2008 to 2014, transplant effectiveness was evaluated in terms of establishment, detachment and mortality of cuttings and shoot density. The long-term monitoring (6 years) allowed us to detect changes in the structural conditions of the transplanted meadow and to identify the possible turning point in P. oceanica recovery (2 years after transplanting). Moreover, 6 years after transplantation the P. oceanica meadow has exceeded the transplant shoot density of about 16%, with a mean and a maximum value of 11.6 and 17 shoots per cutting, respectively.
Review of alien marine macrophytes in Tunisia
Authors: SGHAIER Y. R. , ZAKHAMA-SRAIEB R. , MOUELHI S. , VAZQUEZ M. , VALLE C. , RAMOS-ESPLA A.A. , ASTIER J.M. , VERLAQUE M. , CHARFI-CHEIKHROUHA F.
Published: June 2016

In the present study, the list of alien marine macrophytes introduced into Tunisia was updated in the light of available data and new observations. A total of 27 alien marine macrophytes have been recorded so far from Tunisia: 18 Rhodophyta, 3 Ochrophyta, 5 Chlorophyta and 1 Magnoliophyta. For each species, the locality (-ies), the year (or) period and the source of the first observation in Tunisia are given. The distribution and the status (casual, cryptogenic, established or questionable) of species in Tunisia were evaluated and, where appropriate, discussed. Among them, Hypnea cornuta is reported for the first time from Tunisia. Fourteen alien marine macrophytes are established, whereas seven cryptogenic and two casual species require further investigation. Eleven species are considered as invasive or potentially invasive in the Mediterranean Sea: Acrothamnion preissii, Asparagopsis armata, A. taxiformis Indo-Pacific lineage, Hypnea cornuta, Lophocladia lallemandii, Womersleyella setacea, Caulerpa chemnitzia, C. cylindracea, C. taxifolia, Codium fragile subsp. fragile and Halophila stipulacea. Finally, the case of four questionable species is also discussed.
Haplotype variation in the Physa acuta group (Basommatophora): genetic diversity and distribution in Serbia
Authors: RAKOVIĆ M. J. , RAKOVIĆ M. B. , PETROVIĆ A. M. , POPOVIĆ N. Z. , ĐUKNIĆ J. A. , NAUNOVIC Z. Z. , PAUNOVIĆ M. M.
Published: June 2016

The genus Physa (= Physella) includes the most abundant and diverse freshwater gastropods native to North America. Due to their invasive nature many species occur throughout the world. The most abundant species, Physa acuta, has been introduced to Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia by human commerce and migrating birds. This species is widely distributed throughout Serbia. The aim of this study was to explore the genetic diversity of P. acuta from Serbia, and to determine the evolutionary relationships among native Physidae populations from North America, Mexico and Cuba and populations from Europe using sequences of the mitochondrial 16S rDNA gene. The ML (Maximum Likelihood) tree revealed two clades within Physidae, and two clades that correspond to the families Planorbidae and Lymnaeidae. In the Physidae clade there are two separate clades: one includes the species Physa spelunca, and the second includes samples of P. acuta. We determined three different haplotypes within specimens from Serbia. One haplotype is genetically closest to species Physa heterostrofa (synonym of P. acuta) from Philadelphia, while the other two are very close to P. acuta specimens from New Mexico. Together with other samples our findings corroborate the notion that we are dealing with one panmictic population of P. acuta and not with several separate species, despite the high genetic diversity between and among the populations. Our results indicate that in the same population in Serbia, there is high genetic distance between samples. Despite the small number of analyzed samples, our findings point to multiple introductions of P. acuta from different locations in America.
Developing policy-relevant river fish monitoring in Greece: Insights from a nation-wide survey
Authors: ECONOMOU A. N. , ZOGARIS S. , VARDAKAS L. , KOUTSIKOS N. , CHATZINIKOLAOU Y. , KOMMATAS D. , KAPAKOS Y. , GIAKOUMI S. , OIKONOMOU E. , TACHOS V.
Published: June 2016

A wide-ranging river fish survey was executed in the summer of 2009 as part of the preparatory actions for the establishment of a monitoring programme for the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). This was the first extensive electrofishing campaign for WFD standardized bioassessment in Greece and the experience and insights gained are used here to provide a review of fish-based assessment conditions and requirements in this country. The survey sampled 85 sites on 25 rivers throughout mainland Greece, collecting 70 species of freshwater fish. Quantitative site-based assemblage data is used for taxonomic and ordination analyses revealing a strong biogeographic regionalization in the distribution of the ichthyofauna. The structural and spatial organisation of the fish fauna through the use of species-level and community-level data analyses is explored in three ecoregions where data was deemed sufficient. Transitions in community taxonomic composition among ecoregions were abrupt and concordant with geographical barriers and reflect the influence of historical biogeographic processes. Community-based analysis revealed a substantial degree of variation in quantitative attributes of the fish assemblages among ecoregions. Key conclusions of this work are: (a) the fish-based bioassessment system must be regionalised to reflect biogeographic variation, (b) high faunal heterogeneity among ecoregions (taxonomic, structural), and to a lower degree among basins, constrain the transferability of bioassessment metrics and indices created for explicit regions to other regional frameworks; (c) faunal depauperation in most of the study areas reduce the utility of functional bioassessment metrics and also limits the utilization of rare species and the applicability of the classical form of the “Index of Biotic Integrity” concept. Recommendations to cope with these problems are discussed.
Biochemical and fatty acid composition of Arca noae (Bivalvia: Arcidae) from the Mali Ston Bay, Adriatic Sea
Authors: DUPCIC RADIC I. , CARIĆ M. , NAJDEK M. , JASPRICA N. , BOLOTIN J. , PEHARDA M. , BRATOŠ CETINIĆ A.
Published: June 2016

Biochemical and fatty acid composition of the bivalve Arca noae were investigated in the Mali Ston Bay in relation to environmental conditions. Sampling was carried out monthly, from December 2001 to November 2002. Wet shellfish meat consists on average of 77.61% water and 22.39% dry matter, while dry shellfish meat consists on average of 89.04% organic and 10.96% inorganic matter. PCA analysis identified temperature, nitrate, silicate, MICRO, Chl a and salinity as the most important environmental factors influencing biochemical composition of A. noae. An increase of dry weight content of A. noae was observed during the spring when both the sea temperature and food supply increased rapidly. Contents of protein (54.39-62.06% of dry weight), carbohydrate (4.13-8.07% of dry weight) and lipid (3.46-8.58% of dry weight) varied significantly during the year. Protein and lipid level reached the maximum value in June. The fatty acid profiles of total lipids extracted from A. noae showed high level of unsaturation (UNS/SAT 1.9-3.4). Total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) represented the majority of total fatty acids (40.3-59.9% of total fatty acids) and the most abundant were eicosapentaenoic (20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic (22:6n-3) acid. n-3/n-6 PUFA ratio value varied between 2.1 and 5.0 and was the highest during the spring (April to June). Due to their low lipid and high percentages of healthy polyunsaturated fatty acids A. noae can be evaluated as a quality seafood product. The most suitable period of the year for its consumption is in the spring when it reaches its highest nutritional values.
Spatial and temporal variability of mobile macro-invertebrate assemblages associated to coralligenous habitat
Authors: BEDINI R. , BONECHI L. , PIAZZI L.
Published: June 2016

The study aimed to investigate patterns of spatial and temporal variability of mobile macroinvertebrate assemblages associated to coralligenous habitat. A multi-factorial sampling design was used to test the hypotheses that the structure of assemblages and their spatial and temporal variability changed in relation to substrate inclination. Moreover, macroalgae and sessile macro-invertebrates were also investigated in order to detect eventual relationship between sessile and mobile assemblages. A total of 236 mobile macro-invertebrate taxa were identified, among them 2 Platyhelminthes, 4 Sipuncula, 6 Nemertea, 27 Mollusca, 86 Annelida, 103 Arthropoda, 8 Echinodermata. Results of the study showed that mobile macro-invertebrate assemblages of coralligenous habitat were little influenced by the inclination of substrate and by the morphology of sessile organisms, as patterns of variation were different between the two assemblages. Mobile macro-invertebrate assemblages changed among sampling dates within one year period and they showed high variability at the spatial scale examined.
A Bayesian population model to estimate changes in the stock size in data poor cases using Mediterranean bogue (Boops boops) and picarel (Spicara smaris) as an example
Authors: JUNTUNEN T. , TSIKLIRAS A. C. , MANTYNIEMI S. , STERGIOU K. I.
Published: June 2016

The paper presents an effort to build a biologically realistic, age structured Bayesian model for the stock assessment of data poor fisheries where only aggregated catch data is available. The model is built using prior information from other areas and ecologically or taxonomically similar species. The modeling approach is tested with data poor fisheries on the Cyclades islands in Greek archipelago. The two most important species in the area are selected: bogue (Boops boops) and picarel (Spicara smaris). Both are hermaphroditic. The only data available is the total catch from 1950 to 2010. Information was gathered about natural mortality, recruitment, growth, body size, fecundity, and sex ratio. There were significant problems in finding reliable prior information and a uniform prior was used for fishing mortality. The models at their present stage are not used to give management advice. The biological characteristics of the species in that area should be further studied. However, the posteriors of biological parameters reflect the best available knowledge on these species and they could be used in future studies or in simpler biomass dynamics models as priors.
First record of Echinogammarus pungens (H. Milne Edwards, 1840) (Crustacea, Amphipoda) from Africa with the checklist of North African freshwater gammarids
Authors: REWICZ T. , RACHALEWSKI M. , GRABOWSKI M.
Published: June 2016

Taking into account the vast area of North Africa, the freshwater gammarid fauna of this area remains rather poorly studied. So far, 20 species of the three following genera: Echinogammarus (11 species), Gammarus (8 spp.) and Chaetogammarus (1 sp.) have been reported from the area in literature. Another species, Echinogammarus pungens (H. Milne Edwards, 1840) was found in the river Titria (Oued Titria), north-western Tunisia, in April 2010. Individuals of both sexes including ovigerous females and juveniles were recorded at the site. This is a first report of this species from Tunisia and from North Africa extending the checklist of freshwater gammarid fauna of North Africa to 21 species. Interestingly the species has apparently replaced Echinogammarus tacapensis (Chevreux et Gauthier, 1924), reported from the same section of the Titria River in 1981. Such radical exchange of gammarid fauna and sudden appearance of the species that has never before been recorded from Africa remains mysterious. Two tentative explanations of that phenomenon are taken into account. First, that E. pungens is in fact a circum-Mediterranean species and was simply overlooked in this area before. Second, that the species is a recent migrant to North African inland waters introduced accidentally either by humans or by waterfowl.
Recent Insights into Cell Surface Heparan Sulphate Proteoglycans and Cancer
Authors: Couchman John R , Multhaupt Hinke , Sanderson Ralph D.
Published: June 2016

A small group of cell surface receptors are proteoglycans, possessing a core protein with one or more covalently attached glycosaminoglycan chains. They are virtually ubiquitous and their chains are major sites at which protein ligands of many types interact. These proteoglycans can signal and regulate important cell processes, such as adhesion, migration, proliferation, and differentiation. Since many protein ligands, such as growth factors, morphogens, and cytokines, are also implicated in tumour progression, it is increasingly apparent that cell surface proteoglycans impact tumour cell behaviour. Here, we review some recent advances, emphasising that many tumour-related functions of proteoglycans are revealed only after their modification in processes subsequent to synthesis and export to the cell surface. These include enzymes that modify heparan sulphate structure, recycling of whole or fragmented proteoglycans into exosomes that can be paracrine effectors or biomarkers, and lateral interactions between some proteoglycans and calcium channels that impact the actin cytoskeleton.
Evaluation of unique identifiers used for citation linking
Authors: Madsen Heidi Holst , Madsen Dicte , Gauffriau Marianne
Published: June 2016

Unique identifiers (UID) are seen as an effective tool to create links between identical publications in databases or identify duplicates in a database. The purpose of the present study is to investigate how well UIDs work for citation linking. We have two objectives:

Explore the coverage, precision, and characteristics of publications matched versus not matched with UIDs as the match key.

Illustrate how publication sets formed by using UIDs as the match key may affect the bibliometric indicators: Number of publications, number of citations and the average number of citations per publication.

 

The objectives are addressed in a literature review and a case study. The literature review shows that only a few studies evaluate how well UIDs work as a match key. From the literature we identify four error types: Duplicate digital object identifiers (DOI), incorrect DOIs in reference lists and databases, DOIs not registered by the database where a bibliometric analysis is performed, and erroneous optical or special character recognition.

The case study explores the use of UIDs in the integration between the databases Pure and SciVal. Specifically journal publications in English are matched between the two databases. We find all error types except erroneous optical or special character recognition in our publication sets. In particular the duplicate DOIs constitute a problem for the calculation of bibliometric indicators as both keeping the duplicates to improve the reliability of citation counts and deleting them to improve the reliability of publication counts will distort the calculation of average number of citations per publication.

The use of UIDs as a match key in citation linking is implemented in many settings, and the availability of UIDs may become critical for the inclusion of a publication or a database in a bibliometric analysis.
System of the internal checking: theoretical aspect of the building and operation
Authors: Поленова  , Polenova S.
Published: June 2016

According to the Federal Law «On Accounting» about the need to control the internal facts of economic life, and in the absence of legal documents on the organization of internal control the article analyses certain provisions of the Russian Finance Ministry information document in detail from 26.12.2013 № PP-11/2013, considered the application of legislation in this area.
IMPACT OF INTERSTITIAL ALUMINIUM CONTENT ON OCCURRENCE OF NON-METALLIC INCLUSIONS IN STEEL
Authors: Rega Vladimir , Molnár Marek , Šolc Marek , Buľko Branislav , Demeter Peter , Jusko Martin
Published: June 2016

This paper details the study of interstitial aluminium impact on non-metallic inclusion occurrence on the basis of individual samples examination taken during steel production and processing. The aim was to identify and describe the relation between the content of interstitial aluminium in metal volume and the concentration of non-metallic inclusions on AlxOy basis occurring in steel. The identification of the non-metallic inclusions occurring in liquid steel was within this study implemented by the (AES) method based on the atom emission spectrometry evaluating the presence of the respective elements in the metal volume. This method works on a principle of emitted light from the existing source with a high voltage spark. The results of this study indicate a correlation between the interstitial aluminium content and concentrations of non-metallic inclusions on the AlxOy basis.
Use of Conservation Technology for the Improvement in Production of Chickpea in Comparison to Wheat
Authors: Bimbraw Avtar
Published: June 2016

In the last four decades, the area, production and productivity of chickpea fluctuated widely. There is a general perception that chickpea is a rabi crop and requires low temperature and prolonged winter season thus more fit for cultivation in northern India. Chickpea area was earlier confined to northern and central India. However, the scenario of chickpea cultivation has drastically changed in India during the past few decades. Pulses have very low productivity due to several reasons. However, the obvious reasons are cultivation under energy starved conditions on marginal and sub-marginal lands with no or low input management, late sowing, higher degree of susceptibility to both abiotic and biotic stresses, unavailability of quality seeds of high yielding varieties, poor or no use of plant protection measures, improper management practices, lack of winter precipitation and inadequacy of stored soil moisture, etc. Wheat is the world’s number one cereal crop in all the six continents of the world. It is the staple food of billions of people and is widely treated as cash crop because it produce good yield per unit area in short growing season. Similarly, chickpea is an important pulse crop of the semi-arid tropics, particularly in the rainfed area of the Indian sub-continent. Conservation technology plays important role to increase the productivity of wheat. Keeping the above in considerations try to know the role of conservation technology for the increase in the production of chickpea in comparison to wheat in this paper.
Evaluation of Grain Yield and Aroma of Upland Rice (Pare Wangi var.) as Response to Soil Moisture and Salinity
Authors: Arsa I. G. B , Ariffin Ariffin , Aini Nurul , Lalel H. J. D
Published: June 2016

This research aims to identify the effects of soil moisture and salinity on aroma quality and yield of Pare Wangi rice. Aroma quality was determined based on 2-Asetyl-1-pirolin (2AP) content. This study was conducted in Pare Wangi, Kori village, East Nusa Tenggara Province. Completely randomized design was used in the study, consisted of two-factor treatment: soil moisture and salinity level. The results showed that Pare Wangi produce higher grain yield (39.55 g/pot) at high soil moisture levels (125% FC). It was decrease to be 32.87 g/pot and 22.36 for soil moisture level 100% FC and 75% FC repectively. At high soil moisture ( 125% FC) and 2.5 g NaCl.kg-1 soil caused an increase of 2AP rice content up to 1.84 ppb. Soil moisture at 75 % FC without NaCl was the best treatment for producing the highest 2AP content (3.19 ppb). 2AP content of rice was positively correlated to rice-aroma score.
Household Economic Decisions of Corn Farmers at West Timor, Indonesia
Authors: Leki Silverius , Hanani Nuhfil , Dwiastuti Rini , Setiawan Budi
Published: June 2016

The study aimed to identify factors that influence household economic decisions of corn farmers related to the allocation of time, production activities, corn consumption and policy simulation which can increase household economic of corn farmer. Research was conducted at Tesbatan and Camplong II Village, West Timor, Indonesia. Data were analysed using a system of simultaneous equations. Parameter estimation used Two Stage Least Square (2SLS) and simulation analysis was used for getting alternative policy. The result showed that household economic decisions of corn farmer were affected by the level of wages and farming area. Corn production was influenced by the farming area, the use of labor, urea fertilizer and seeds. Consumption of corn was affected by the price of corn, household income, corn production and the number of household members. Then, Consumption of purchased corn was influenced by household income, corn production and the number of household members. The policy to increase the price of corn was very effective increasing household income but reduce the consumption of corn. Furthermore, the policy of expansion of the scale of farming could increase household income and consumption of corn.
Evaluation of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) for Enhanced Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Production in the Guinea Savannah Zone of Ghana
Authors: Dzomeku I. K , Sowley E.N.K , Yussif I. S
Published: June 2016

Field experiment was conducted in the dry season of 2014 in the Golinga Irrigation farm (Latitude 09°21'N and Longitude 0°56' W) at Golinga, in the Northern Region, Ghana. This was to evaluate the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) for enhanced grain yield, yield components and economic viability of Gbewaa rice variety production under irrigated conditions. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The treatments comprised four SRI and two Farmers’ Practice treatments viz: FP 1, SRI 1, SRI 2, SRI 3, SRI 4 and FP 2. Under all SRI treatments, seeds were nursed and seedlings were transplanted singly and widely (25 cm × 25 cm), irrigated intermittently and soil earthing up regularly. SRI 1 and FP 2 each received only 13 t ha-1 compost, SRI 2 and FP 1 each received an amount of 37.5 kg ha-1 each of N, P2O5 and K2O as basal application and 26.25 kg ha-1 of N as top dressing while SRI 3 and SRI 4 both received 13 t ha-1 compost followed by either 18.75 kg ha-1 each of N, P2O5 and K2O as basal application or 13.13 kg ha-1 of N as top dressing respectively. SRI 1 plants established best and took the longest days to flower. Higher number of grains per panicle was obtained in SRI 3. SRI 2 produced the highest plant height, panicle length, panicle weight, tiller count and plant biomass. SRI 2 also produced the highest yield (4026 kg ha-1) which was not statistically different from the yields produced in SRI 3 (3866 kg ha-1) and SRI 4 (3737 kg ha-1) as compared with the control – FP 1 (2410 kg ha-1). The benefit – cost analysis showed that SRI 2 (1.97) was the most profiting entry followed by SRI 4 (1.35) and SRI 3 (1.31). Where mineral fertilizers are available and affordable, SRI 2 could be chosen under irrigated condition.
Monitoring and analysis of vital signs of a patient through a multi-agent application system
Authors: Hernández De La Iglesia Daniel , Villarrubia González Gabriel , López Barriuso Alberto , Lozano Murciego Álvaro , Revuelta Herrero Jorge
Published: June 2016

In the medical environment, the clinical study of the most basic vital signs of a patient represents the simplest and most effective way to detect and monitor health problems. There are many diseases that can be diagnosed and controlled through regular monitoring of these medical data. The purpose of this study is to develop a monitoring and tracking system for the various vital signs of a patient. In particular, this work focuses on the design of a multi-agent architecture composed of virtual organizations with capabilities to integrate different medical sensors on an open, low-cost hardware platform. This system integrates hardware and software elements needed for the routine measurement of vital signs, performed by the patient or caregiver without having to go to a medical center.
The Revolution and the Scholars
Authors: Markakis John
Published: June 2016

This is a review of scholarly interpretations of the 1974 Ethiopian Revolution and its aftermath, that is, the regime it brought to power. It covers studies written during the life of that regime by Ethiopian and foreign scholars, and focuses on their interpretation rather than description, and specifically on their views on certain key issues. These include the nature of the imperial regime and the causes of its collapse; the protagonists in the political uprising that ended in the regime’s collapse; the agents of the social revolution that followed; the nature of the Derg regime; and the scholars’ own view of its prospects.
When Social Science Concepts Become Neutral Arbiters of Social Conflict: Reading the Ethiopian Federal Elections of 2005 through the Ethiopian Student Movement of the 1960s and 1970s
Authors: Zeleke Elleni Centime
Published: June 2016

This article traces the story of how the intellectual culture and discourses that animated the Ethiopian student movement in the 1960s and 1970s have continued to impact political processes in the country in the generations since. More specifically, it looks at how the legacy of the Ethiopian student movement influenced events during the country’s momentous 2005 elections. The essay further poses the question of how one can characterize and understand the influence of the social sciences on actual social forces in a particular historical context.
Adaptive observer-based fault estimation for a class of Lipschitz nonlinear systems
Authors: Oucief Nabil , Tadjine Mohamed , Labiod Salim
Published: June 2016

Fault input channels represent a major challenge for observer design for fault estimation. Most works in this field assume that faults enter in such a way that the transfer functions between these faults and a number of measured outputs are strictly positive real (SPR), that is, the observer matching condition is satisfied. This paper presents a systematic approach to adaptive observer design for joint estimation of the state and faults when the SPR requirement is not verified. The proposed method deals with a class of Lipschitz nonlinear systems subjected to piecewise constant multiplicative faults. The novelty of the proposed approach is that it uses a rank condition similar to the observer matching condition to construct the adaptation law used to obtain fault estimates. The problem of finding the adaptive observer matrices is formulated as a Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) optimization problem. The proposed scheme is tested on the nonlinear model of a single link flexible joint robot system.
Typing of Indigenous Campylobacter spp. From Serbia by M-PCR and RAPD
Authors: Jošić Dragana , Petković Jelena , Bunčić Olivera , Lepšanović Zorica , Pivić Radmila , Rašić Zoran , Katić Vera
Published: June 2016

Campylobacteriosis is an infectious human disease caused by thermophilic Campylobacter species, mainly C. jejuni and C. coli. It is the leading cause of human gastroenteritis today with the number of cases surpassing the number of Salmonella poisoning cases. The epidemiology of the agent is not completely clear, but a number of investigations indicate an important role of broiler meat in human infections. The purpose of this study was to investigate the diversity of Campylobacter jejuni strains present in the Republic of Serbia and to determine a fast and reliable system for the confirmation and typing of the isolated strains. Samples taken at slaughterhouses, broiler farms, as well as two human isolates of Campylobacter species have been investigated. Strain identification was performed by multiplex-PCR. Genotyping was performed by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) with multiple primers. Using several unusual primers and a newly designed one (DJP17), we report on the RAPD types of indigenous Campylobacter species. RAPD profiles showed different levels of discrimination between the isolates, depending on the primer: SPH1 and AG15 were informative only in part and better results were obtained with AP10, AK16 and DJP17.
Scanning Electron Microscopic Studies of the Lingual Papillae in the English Horse
Authors: Can Mehmet , Atalgin Şükrü Hakan , Aydin Mehmet Faruk
Published: June 2016

The purpose of this study was to describe the distribution and surface structure of the lingual papillary system in four male adult English horses by scanning electron microscopy. The animals were supplied from the Jockey Club of Turkey (TJK). Tissue samples were taken from the dorsal, ventral and lateral surface of the apex, corpus and radix of the tongue. Filiform papillae were distributed mainly on the dorsum, being abundant, very long and with a slim cylindrical form with pointed endings or multi-bifurcated terminations at the apex. These papillae were typically conical in shape with a wider base in the corpus of the lingua and absent on the radix of the lingua. Fungiform papillae were mainly on the lateral surfaces and lobulated forms were also observed. The horses have two large vallate papillae, located on the dorsum close to the caudal part of the tongue. These papillae were surrounded by a prominent gustatory groove. The vallate papillae had many taste pores opening into the papillary groove. The foliate papillae were observed just rostral to the palatoglossal arches. These papillae have many variable sized taste pores which open into the grooves between the papillary leaves. The papillary leaves were covered with concentrically arranged cornified cells of variable appearance. However, there were no lingual papillae on the ventral aspect of the horse’s tongue.
The development of anterior-posterior spinal curvature
in children aged 7–12 years
Authors: Drzał-Grabiec Justyna , Snela Sławomir , Truszczyńska Aleksandra
Published: June 2016

Study aim: Body posture changes depend on numerous factors. The purpose of this study was to assess the changes in posture in the sagittal plane of children aged 7–12 years.

Material and methods: Postural changes were determined by assessing the postural parameters in the sagittal plane. The measurements were recorded in children attending selected primary schools. In total, 562 subjects were included in the study, including 278 boys and 284 girls. The body posture was assessed photogrammetrically based on the moiré effect, whereby 5 postural parameters were integrated within the measurement methodology.

Results: The results indicated a naturalistic tendency in postural development – the postural parameters changed with age in a dynamic fashion; and the postural measurements for boys and girls differed in terms of their range.

Conclusions: The study findings can be used for the accurate mapping of normal postural development and, inter alia, for the detection and diagnosis of an emerging abnormal posture. Importantly, a correct postural assessment algorithm for children should include the subject’s age and sex.
Linguistic, gestural, and cinematographic viewpoint: An analysis of ASL and English narrative
Authors: Parrill Fey , Stec Kashmiri , Quinto-Pozos David , Rimehaug Sebastian
Published: June 2016

Multimodal narrative can help us understand how conceptualizers schematize information when they create mental representations of films and may shed light on why some cinematic conventions are easier or harder for viewers to integrate. This study compares descriptions of a shot/reverse shot sequence (a sequence of camera shots from the viewpoints of different characters) across users of English and American Sign Language (ASL). We ask which gestural and linguistic resources participants use to narrate this event. Speakers and signers tended to represent the same characters via the same point of view and to show a single perspective rather than combining multiple perspectives simultaneously. Neither group explicitly mentioned the shift in cinematographic perspective. We argue that encoding multiple points of view might be a more accurate visual description, but is avoided because it does not create a better narrative.
Some Hilbert spaces related with the Dirichlet space
Authors: Arcozzi Nicola , Mozolyako Pavel , Perfekt Karl-Mikael , Richter Stefan , Sarfatti Giulia
Published: June 2016

We study the reproducing kernel Hilbert space with kernel k
Relationship between the hydrophilicity of lignin dispersants and their performance towards pesticide particles
Authors: Pang Yuxia , Li Xiaoyu , Zhou Mingsong , Li Yuan , Gao Wei , Qiu Xueqing
Published: June 2016

The correlation between the hydrophilicity of sodium lignosulfonate (NaLS) and its dispersing performance towards pesticide particles has been investigated. NaLS was classified into three fractions by adsorption chromatography on macroporous resins. A positive correlation has been found between the hydrophilicity and the contents of phenolic hydroxyl and sulfonic acid groups. On the other hand, the NaLS fraction with high carboxyl content is not strong hydrophilic. With decreasing the hydrophilicity of NaLS, its amounts on pesticide particles surface increased and the dispersing performance of pesticide particles was improved. Obviously, NaLS and pesticides with similar hydrophilicity match better according to the “similarity-intermiscibility” theory. Carboxymethylated alkali lignin (CML) is not as hydrophilic as NaLS. The adsorption and dispersing performance of CML for hydrophobic pesticide particles are better than those of NaLS, demonstrating that lignin formulations with lower hydrophilicity are an alternative to obtain excellent pesticide dispersants.
Hot water extraction of Norway spruce (Picea abies [Karst.]) bark: analyses of the influence of bark aging and process parameters on the extract composition
Authors: Bianchi Sauro , Koch Gerald , Janzon Ron , Mayer Ingo , Saake Bodo , Pichelin Frédéric
Published: June 2016

The hot water (HW) extraction of Norway spruce (Picea abies [Karst.]) delivers condensed tannins and considerable amounts of other compounds. Yield and composition of the HW extracts were investigated as a function of natural weathering for up to 15 months. Total phenol monomers and oligomers were detected by Folin-Ciocaltau assay after fractionation by solid phase extraction (SPE). Procyanidins (PC) were determined by HPLC-UV after acid thiolysis and carbohydrates by HPLC combined with acid hydrolysis. Topochemistry of the bark before and after extraction was investigated by UV-microspectrometry (UMSP) and non-extractable PC analyzed by direct thiolysis on the bark. The influence of the parameters on the yield and composition of the extracts were evaluated, such as the extraction temperature, time and the addition of sodium sulfate and urea. Prolonged weathering resulted in a considerable decrease of the total extraction yield, partly because of leaching of phenolic monomers, mono- and oligosaccharides. The yield of phenolic oligomers also decreased at a moderate rate, while the yield of polysaccharides (pectins) was almost stable. Non-extractable and non-leachable compounds deposited in the cell lumens represent the majority of the phenolic extractives in spruce bark. Sequential extractions performed at increasing temperature proved to be a suitable method for the recovery of tannin-rich extracts.
Review on management, mechanisms and modelling of thermal processes in PEMFC
Authors: Bvumbe Tatenda J. , Bujlo Piotr , Tolj Ivan , Mouton Kobus , Swart Gerhard , Pasupathi Sivakumar , Pollet Bruno G.
Published: June 2016

In an effort to reduce the environmental impact of the energy sector that is mostly based on fossil fuels, researchers are looking for a clean alternative of our existing energy sources. Hydrogen Energy and Fuel Cells, and in particular Polymer ElectrolyteMembrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) have emerged as a leading candidate for transportation as well as stationary and portable applications. Due to the irreversibility of the electrochemical reactions and ohmic heating in the fuel cell components, the PEMFC produces a significant amount of heat and this heat has to be removed in order to avoid cell or stack overheating. In this paper, a review of the key heat transfer mechanisms and the various cooling strategies that are available for heat removal from PEMFCs are presented. Due to the interrelated nature and difficulty of conducting in-situ thermal measurements on the operating PEMFCs, computational modelling provides a fast and efficient way of designing PEMFC cooling systems and understanding the heat transfer mechanisms. Therefore PEMFC thermal modelling is also highlighted together with present challenges and potential areas for further research and development works.
Identification of determinants of sports skill level in badminton players using the multiple regression model
Authors: Jaworski Janusz , Żak Michał
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The aim of the study was to evaluate somatic and functional determinants of sports skill level in badminton players at three consecutive stages of training.

Methods

The study examined 96 badminton players aged 11 to 19 years. The scope of the study included somatic characteristics, physical abilities and neurosensory abilities. Thirty nine variables were analysed in each athlete. Coefficients of multiple determination were used to evaluate the effect of structural and functional parameters on sports skill level in badminton players.

Results

In the group of younger cadets, quality and effectiveness of playing were mostly determined by the level of physical abilities. In the group of cadets, the most important determinants were physical abilities, followed by somatic characteristics. In this group, coordination abilities were also important. In juniors, the most pronounced was a set of the variables that reflect physical abilities.

Conclusions

Models of determination of sports skill level are most noticeable in the group of cadets. In all three groups of badminton players, the dominant effect on the quality of playing is due to a set of the variables that determine physical abilities.
Development of an antidiabetic polyherbal formulation (ADPHF6) and assessment of its antioxidant activity against ROS-induced damage in pUC19 and human lymphocytes – an in vitro study
Authors: Shanmugasundaram Devanand , Duraiswamy Anand , Viswanathan Arun , Sasikumar Changam Sheela , Cherian Sanjay M. , Cherian Kotturathu Mammen
Published: June 2016

Background: Polyherbalism, an alternative natural-based therapy for various disorders, has been quoted about 1,300 years before in Sharangdhar Samhita. Herbal-based combination therapy stages a vital role for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and associated complications. The present study aims at developing an Ayurvedic-based polyherbal formulation (ADPHF6) and the assessing its antidiabetic and antioxidant property.

Methods: ADPHF6 polyherbal formulation was measured for phytochemical components by qualitative methods. The polyherbal formulation was quantitatively estimated for its phytochemical constituents, i. e. total phenol and flavonoid content. Further, the antioxidant property of ADPHF6 formulation was evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging assay and metal chelating assay. α-Amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of polyherbal formulation were also assessed. ADPHF6 was further analysed for its protective antioxidant property against reactive oxygen species (ROS‾)-induced damage in human lymphocyte DNA and pUC19 plasmid.

Results: ADPHF6 polyherbal formulation revealed the presence of phytochemical constituents such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, terpenoids, saponins and cardiac glycosides in significant levels. Further, it also measured the higher levels of total phenols (473.3±3.05 mg/g) and flavonoid (664±5.29 mg/g) content. Polyherbal formulation also exhibited IC50 values of 49.9±0.15, 65.1±0.10 and 60.1±0.05 mg/mL for 2,2- diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and Fe2+ radical scavenging activities, respectively. ADPHF6 revealed an inhibitory activity (IC50) of 0.67±0.01 and 0.81±0.01 mg/mL for α-amylase and glucosidase, respectively. Pre-treated human peripheral blood lymphocytes with ADPHF6 aqueous extract illustrated enhanced protection against ROS-mediated damage as compared with post-treated groups. DNA nicking assay rendered protective activity against the OH¯ radical-induced DNA damage in supercoiled pUC19 plasmid.

Conclusions: Our present study demonstrates that ADPHF6 offers potent inhibitory activity against free radicals as well as digestive enzymes. However, studies should be conducted using in vivo model to further elucidate the effect against free radicals and its anti-hyperglycaemic activity in the management of non-insulin-dependent diabetes.
On some groups generated by involutions
Authors: Jabara Enrico
Published: June 2016

Let G be a group generated by
the set

Γ
=

{

g
∈
G

∣

g
2

=
1
≠
g

}

${\Gamma=\{g\in G\mid g^{2}=1\not=g\}}$

of its involutions.
We prove that if

(

a
⁢
b

)

4

=
1

${(ab)^{4}=1}$

for every

a
,
b

∈
Γ

${a,b\in\Gamma}$

, then
G is a locally finite 2-group. This answers in the affirmative
Question 18.58 in the Kourovka notebook ([3]).
Vocabulary learning: The effect of instruction type and methodological choices in the context of French as a second language
Authors: Gazerani Farzin , Ammar Ahlem , Montésinos-Gelet Isabelle
Published: June 2016

Research indicates that lexical gains through reading are limited (Nation, 2001). Based on the literature about form focused instruction (FFI) (instruction that draws learners’ attention to the formal properties of of the target language) in second language (L2) acquisition, Laufer (2005) states that it is necessary to combine reading with FFI targeting vocabulary. The objective of this study is to examine the effects of different FFI teaching approaches and methodological choices on vocabulary learning. Nine intermediate adult Iranian learners of French as an L2 participated in this experimental multiple-case study. The experimental intervention was spread over a period of two weeks and targeted 36 vocabulary items. It comprised three experimental conditions (integrated FFI, isolated FFI and repetition) and a control condition (incidental learning through reading). Results indicate significant benefits of FFI on receptive immediate posttests. The intervening effects of recency and receptive and productive tests administration order are also evaluated.
The architecture of website-hosted multimedia materials for the assured inclusivity of primary languages learning
Authors: Phillips Magdalen
Published: June 2016

Primary languages (PLs) learning, now statutory in Britain, requires brief, frequent sessions to be effective. This necessarily involves the support of non-specialist class teachers. However, their lack of confidence suggests the need for inclusive learning materials for use in classroom sessions. Architecting learning materials for eventual hosting on a website drew on both theoretical principles and the findings of two previous empirical studies involving primary pupils and trainee teachers. Children’s sensitivity to language phonology suggests focusing on oracy, rather than literacy skills. ‘Alternative codes’, gestures to support pupils’ recall and production, designed in a previous study, were adapted within stages of experiential learning. French pronunciation was modeled to support teachers’ confidence in supporting/delivering PL learning. An empirical trial of a further language modality avoided the challenges inherent in reading and writing French, and allowed pupils to manipulate language and produce it independently. The resultant architecture of website materials is discussed.