bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Negotiated professional identities of academics in the context of structural reform and innovation at the university
Authors: Ümarik Meril , Jõgi Larissa
Published: July 2019

This paper discusses the results of a qualitative narrative study that focuses on academics´ professional identity and teaching practice at the university during the structural reform at Tallinn University, Estonia. The aim of the research is to understand how professional identity is formed in relation to the development of teaching practice in the frame of interdisciplinary projects introduced as an innovation at the university. The central research question is: How does the continuously changing university context, suggested teaching approaches and innovative projects affect professional identity, beliefs, and teaching practice of academics? The empirical data consists of 48 narrative interviews with academics from different study fields. The empirical data was analyzed using qualitative content analysis with narrative coding. The presented narratives indicate that on the institutional level the entrepreneurial cultures are more visible than collegial cultures. On the individual level there are slow, but meaningful changes in teaching practices, as well as beliefs, understandings and professional identities of academics.
Using student-led manufacturing in makerspaces to support transition into engineering higher education
Authors: Mylon Peter T , Wood Gary C , Dolmansley Timothy JC
Published: July 2019

This paper reports our preliminary findings from utilising The iForge, astudent-run makerspace, as a resource for curriculum-based learning, inplace of traditional timetabled workspace access for students. We show howthis enabled us to offer projects that were less structured, less constrained bytimetables, and more open-ended. We also explain how we were able toembed the development of professional skills – particularly teamworking –into the curriculum. Results show no negative impact on student satisfactionor grades, and positive impact in terms of staff time and flexibility forstudents to work independently around their individual timetables. Weconclude by highlighting some areas for further work, and makerecommendations for colleagues wishing to explore more creative practicalprojects in their own contexts.
Doing Math Modelling Outdoors- A Special Math Class Activity designed with MathCityMap
Authors: Ludwig Matthias , Jablonski Simone
Published: July 2019

The use of smartphones in classrooms is unfortunately due to the restriction legislated by administrations not very popular. With the MathCityMap project (MCM) we show one possibility to use the own mobile device in a substancial and authentic learning environment. MathCityMap combine the well known math trail idea with the current technological possibilities of mobile devices. The MathCityMap is a two component system. The first component is  a webportal (www.mathcitymap.eu) which served as a open access database for authentic math problems in the environment. The other component, the MCM-App, shows on a map where in the environment the problems are hidden. Additional it  provides hints, feedback and a sample solution. To solve such an authentic MCM problem you need mathematical modelling competencies. We show with the help of one example in which way the students work with the tasks and how the system deal with different solution which occurs by solving a modelling task.
Active learning and social commitment projects as a teaching-learning intervention in engineering degrees
Authors: Pernía-Espinoza Alpha , Sanz-Garcia Andres , Martinez-de-Pison-Ascacibar F. Javier , Peciña-Marqueta Sergio , Blanco-Fernandez Julio
Published: July 2019

The purpose of universities, apart from produce qualified professionals with problem-solving capabilities and soft-skills, should be to develop the social responsibility sense on their students. In this context, our proposal combines project based learning (PBL) and service based learning (SBL) along with gamming and the use of open-source machines, with the aim to increase student’s motivation and their social commitment with an affordable budget. The strategy, from now on named OS-PBL-SR (Open-Source-based PBL projects with Social Responsibility), mainly includes three important aspects: (i) assignment with projects orientated towards a social benefit; (ii) development of the projects using open-source Do It Yourself desktop machines (DIY-DkM); and (iii) include gamming in the evaluation method. The strategy was applied in the subject Manufacturing Technology but it might be easily exportable to other technical subjects. The results from the last academic year are presented. Also, a new OS-PBL-SR proposal aimed to the design and fabrication of autonomy-oriented products for people in a dependency situation is presented. The results showed the beneficial impact on undergraduate students by keeping high levels of motivation reflected on excellent success rates and scores. In addition, essential advantages in the use of DIY-DkM were found regarding the implementation of this kind of PBL strategy.
Laboratori lector. Per entendre la lectura
Authors: Ramos Sabaté Joan Marc
Published: June 2019

Reseña de:

CASSANY, D.
Laboratori lector. Per entendre la lectura
Barcelona: Anagrama, 2018
El empleo de jeroglíficos para enseñar contenidos gramaticales
Authors: Suárez Ramírez Miriam , Fernández Guerrero Manuel , Suárez Muñoz Ángel
Published: June 2019

Cuando se abordan los contenidos gramaticales en las aulas de educación primaria y secundaria, sobre todo los referidos a la sintaxis y la morfología, el profesorado percibe el rechazo que provocan entre el alumnado: ha de prestar mucha atención y dedicar un considerable esfuerzo, pero sin que se traduzca en un mejor uso de la lengua, al menos de manera inmediata. Los jeroglíficos, como pasatiempo habitual, suelen presentar unos mensajes que, por su manera de resolverse, tienen una vinculación muy directa con el nivel pragmático de la lengua. Las soluciones al mensaje oculto favorecen el uso de elementos lingüísticos y estructuras sintácticas muy importantes para el manejo de la lengua. Los jeroglíficos adquieren así un potencial didáctico que es necesario aprovechar. La recopilación y el análisis de 725 jeroglíficos han permitido comprobar que, con las respuestas que sugieren, facilitan el tratamiento de contenidos gramaticales muy diversos: afirmaciones, preguntas, oraciones, sustantivos, sintagmas preposicionales diversos, entre otros. También plantean estructuras y elementos lingüísticos muy habituales y conocidos por los hablantes, dichos y frases hechas, que favorecen la ampliación del vocabulario. Se destaca la potencialidad del jeroglífico como recurso didáctico y se sugiere al profesorado su utilización en las aulas.
Emission of trace gases and aerosols from biomass burning – an updated assessment
Authors: Andreae Meinrat O.
Published: July 2019

Abstract. Since the publication of the compilation of biomass
burning emission factors by Andreae and Merlet (2001), a large number of
studies have greatly expanded the amount of available data on emissions from
various types of biomass burning. Using essentially the same methodology as
Andreae and Merlet (2001), this paper presents an updated compilation of
emission factors. The data from over 370 published studies were critically
evaluated and integrated into a consistent format. Several new categories of
biomass burning were added, and the number of species for which emission
data are presented was increased from 93 to 121. Where field data are still
insufficient, estimates based on appropriate extrapolation techniques are
proposed. For key species, the updated emission factors are compared with
previously published values. Based on these emission factors and published
global activity estimates, I have derived estimates of pyrogenic emissions
for important species released by the various types of biomass burning.
Simulating age of air and distribution of SF6 in the stratosphere with SILAM model
Authors: Kouznetsov Rostislav , Sofiev Mikhail , Vira Julius , Stiller Gabriele
Published: July 2019

Abstract. The paper presents a comparative study of age of air (AoA) derived with several approaches: a widely used passive tracer accumulation method, the SF6 accumulation, and a direct calculation of an "ideal age" tracer. The simulations have been performed with the Eulerian chemistry transport model SILAM driven with the ERA-Interim reanalysis for 1980–2018. The Eulerian environment allowed for simultaneous application of several approaches within the same simulation, and interpretation of the obtained differences. A series of sensitivity simulations revealed the role of the vertical profile of turbulent diffusion in the stratosphere, destruction of SF6 in the mesosphere, as well as the effect of gravitational separation of gases with strongly different molar masses. The simulations reproduced well the main features of the SF6 distribution in the atmosphere retrieved from the MIPAS satellite instrument. It was shown that the apparent very old air in the upper stratosphere derived from the SF6 profile observations is a result of destruction and gravitational separation of this gas in the upper stratosphere and mesosphere. The effect of these processes add over 4 years to the actual AoA, which, according to our calculations, does not exceed 6–6.5 years. The destruction of SF6 and varying rate of emission make it unsuitable to reliably derive AoA or its trends. However, observations of SF6 provide a very useful means for validation of stratospheric circulation in a model with properly implemented SF6 loss.
A generalized simulation capability for rotating- beam scatterometers
Authors: Li Zhen , Stoffelen Ad , Verhoef Anton
Published: July 2019

Abstract. Rotating-beam wind scatterometers exist in two types: rotating
fan-beam and rotating pencil-beam. In our study, a generic simulation frame
is established and verified to assess the wind retrieval skill of the three
different scatterometers: SCAT on CFOSAT (China France Oceanography SATellite), WindRad (Chinese Wind Radar) on FY-3E, and SeaWinds on
QuikSCAT. Besides the comparison of the so-called first rank solution
retrieval skill of the input wind field, other figures of merit (FoMs) are
applied to statistically characterize the associated wind retrieval
performance from three aspects: wind vector root mean square error,
ambiguity susceptibility, and wind biases. The evaluation shows that,
overall, the wind retrieval quality of the three instruments can be ranked
from high to low as WindRad, SCAT, and SeaWinds, where the wind retrieval
quality strongly depends on the wind vector cell (WVC) location across the
swath. Usually, the higher the number of views, the better the wind
retrieval, but the effect of increasing the number of views reaches
saturation, considering the fact that the wind retrieval quality at the
nadir and sweet swath parts stays relatively similar for SCAT and WindRad.
On the other hand, the wind retrieval performance in the outer swath of
WindRad is improved substantially as compared to SCAT due to the increased
number of views. The results may be generally explained by the different
incidence angle ranges of SCAT and WindRad, mainly affecting azimuth
diversity around nadir and number of views in the outer swath. This
simulation frame can be used for optimizing the Bayesian wind retrieval
algorithm, in particular to avoid biases around nadir but also to
investigate resolution and accuracy through incorporating and analyzing the
spatial response functions of the simulated Level-1B data for each WVC.
Correlated observation error models for assimilating all-sky infrared radiances
Authors: Geer Alan J.
Published: July 2019

Abstract. The benefit of hyperspectral infrared sounders to weather forecasting has been improved with the representation of inter-channel correlations in the observation error model. A further step would be to assimilate these observations in all-sky conditions. However, in cloudy skies, observation errors exhibit much stronger inter-channel correlations, as well as much larger variances, compared to clear-sky conditions. An observation error model is developed to represent these effects, building from the symmetric error models developed for all-sky microwave assimilation. The combination of variational quality control with correlated errors is also introduced. The new error model is tested in all-sky assimilation of seven water vapour sounding channels from the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI). However, its initial formulation degrades both tropospheric and stratospheric analyses. To explain this, the eigendeparture and eigenjacobian are introduced as a way of understanding the effect of correlated observation errors in data assimilation. The trailing eigenvalues can be problematic because they strongly amplify high-order harmonic combinations of the water vapour channels, which could have at least three consequences. First, if there are small inter-channel biases, these can be greatly amplified. Second, the trailing eigenjacobians map onto features resembling gravity waves that the data assimilation may not be able to handle. Finally, these harmonic combinations can amplify trace sensitivities, for example, revealing a strong upper stratospheric sensitivity over high cloud in what are usually mid- to upper-tropospheric water vapour channels. A likely explanation is the sensitivity to gravity wave features that are present in the observations but hard for the data assimilation to handle. After reducing the sensitivity to the trailing eigenjacobians, the new error covariance matrix gives good results in all-sky infrared assimilation.
Assessing the role of planetary and gravity waves in the vertical structure of ozone over midlatitudinal Europe
Authors: Križan Peter
Published: July 2019

Abstract. Planetary and gravity waves play an important role in the dynamics of the atmosphere. They are present in the atmospheric distribution of temperature, wind, and ozone content. These waves are detectable also in the vertical profile of ozone and they cause its undulation. One of the structures occurring in the vertical ozone profile is laminae, which are narrow layers of enhanced or depleted ozone concentrations in the vertical ozone profile. They are connected with the total amount of ozone in the atmosphere and with the activity of the planetary and gravity waves. The aim of this paper is to quantify these processes in midlatitudinal Europe. We compare the occurrence of laminae induced by planetary waves (PL) with the occurrence of these induced by gravity waves (GL). We show that the PL are 10–20 times more frequent than that of GL. There is a strong annual variation of PL, while GL exhibit only a very weak variation. With the increasing lamina size the share of GL decreases and the share of PL increases. The vertical profile of lamina occurrence is different for PL and GL smaller than 2 mPa. For laminae greater than 2 mPa this difference is smaller.
Alpha and beta diversity patterns of polychaete assemblages across the nodule province of the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (Equatorial Pacific)
Authors: Bonifácio Paulo , Martinez-Arbizu Pedro , Menot Lénaïck
Published: July 2019

Abstract. In the abyssal Equatorial Pacific Ocean, most of the seafloor of the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (CCFZ), a 6 million km2 polymetallic nodule province, has been preempted for future mining. In light of the large footprint that mining would leave, and given the diversity and the vulnerability of the abyssal fauna, the International Seabed Authority has implemented a regional management plan that includes the creation of nine areas of particular environmental interest (APEIs) located at the periphery of the CCFZ. The APEIs were defined based on the best – albeit very limited – scientific knowledge for the area. The fauna and habitats in the APEIs are unknown, as are species' ranges and the extent of biodiversity across the CCFZ. As part of the Joint Programming Initiative Healthy and Productive Seas and Oceans (JPI Oceans) pilot action Ecological aspects of deep-sea mining, the SO239 cruise aimed at improving species inventories, determining species ranges, identifying the drivers of beta diversity patterns and assessing the representativeness of an APEI. Four exploration contract areas and an APEI (APEI#3) were sampled along a gradient of sea-surface primary productivity that spanned a distance of 1440 km in the eastern CCFZ. Between 3 and 8 quantitative box cores (0.25 m2; 0–10 cm) were sampled in each study area, resulting in a large collection of polychaetes that were morphologically and molecularly (COI and 16S genes) analyzed. A total of 275 polychaete morphotypes were identified. Only one morphotype was shared among all five study areas and 49 % were singletons. The patterns in community structure and composition were mainly attributed to variations in food fluxes at the regional scale and nodule density at the local scale. The four exploration contract areas belong to a mesotrophic province. The distance-decay of similarity among the four areas provides an estimated species turnover of 0.04 species km−1 and an average species range of 25 km. The polychaete assemblage in APEI#3 showed the lowest densities, lowest diversity as well as very low, distant-independent similarity with the other four study areas. Given that APEI#3 is located in an oligotrophic province and separated from the CCFZ by the Clarion Fracture Zone, our results call into question the representativeness and the appropriateness of APEI#3 to meet its purpose of preserving the biodiversity of the CCFZ fauna. Two methods for estimating the total number of polychaete species gave estimates that ranged from 498 to 240 000 species. Both methods are biased by the high frequency of singletons in the dataset, which likely result from under-sampling; our estimates thereby merely reflect our level of uncertainty. The assessment of potential risks and scales of biodiversity loss due to nodule mining thus requires an appropriate inventory of species richness in the CCFZ.
Comparison of Generalized Non-Data-Driven Reservoir Routing Models for Global-Scale Hydrologic Modeling
Authors: Gutenson Joseph L. , Tavakoly Ahmad A. , Wahl Mark D. , Follum Michael L.
Published: July 2019

Abstract. Large-scale hydrologic simulations should account for attenuation through lakes and reservoirs when flow regulation is present. Generalized methods for approximating outflow are required since reservoir operation is complex and specific real-time release information is typically unavailable at global scales. There is currently no consensus on the best approach for approximating reservoir release rates in large spatial scale hydrologic forecasting. This research compares two parsimonious reservoir routing methods previously implemented in large-scale hydrologic modeling applications, requiring minimal data so as not to limit their usage. The methods considered are those proposed by Döll et al. (2003) and Hanasaki et al. (2006). This paper compares the two methodologies across 60 reservoirs operated from 2006–2012 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The authors vary empirical coefficients for both reservoir routing methods as part of a sensitivity analysis. The Döll method generally outperformed the Hanasaki method at a daily time step, improving model skill in most cases beyond run-of-the-river conditions. The temporal resolution of the model influences performance. The optimal model coefficients varied across the reservoirs in this study and model performance fluctuates between wet years and dry years, and for different configurations such as dams in series. Overall, the Döll and Hanasaki Methods could enhance large scale hydrologic forecasting, but can be subject to instability under certain conditions.
Difficulties in explaining complex issues with maps.
Evaluating seismic hazard communication – the Swiss case
Authors: Marti Michèle , Stauffacher Michael , Wiemer Stefan
Published: July 2019

Abstract. 2.7 billion people live in areas where earthquakes causing at least slight damage have to be expected regularly. Providing information can potentially save lives and improve the resilience of a society. Maps are an established way to illustrate natural hazard. Despite of being mainly tailored to the requirements of professional users, they are often the only accessible information to help the public deciding about mitigation measures. There is evidence that hazard maps are frequently misconceived. Visual and textual characteristics as well as the manner of presentation have been shown to influence their comprehensibility. Using a real case, the material to communicate the updated seismic hazard model for Switzerland was analyzed in a representative online survey of the population (N = 491) and in two workshops involving architects and engineers not specializing in seismic retrofitting (N = 23). Although many best practice recommendations have been followed, the understanding of seismic hazard information remains challenging. Whereas most participants were able to distinguish hazardous from less hazardous areas, correctly interpreting detailed results and identifying the most suitable set of information for answering a given question proved demanding. We suggest scrutinizing current natural hazard communication strategies and empirically testing new products.
Influence of the summer deep-sea circulations on passive drifts
among the submarine canyons in the northwestern Mediterranean
Sea
Authors: Clavel-Henry Morane , Solé Jordi , Ahumada-Sempoal Miguel-Ángel , Bahamon Nixon , Briton Florence , Rotllant Guiomar , Company Joan B.
Published: July 2019

Abstract. Marine biophysical models can be used to explore the displacement of individuals in and between submarine canyons. Mostly, the studies focus on the shallow hydrodynamics in or around a single canyon. In the northwestern Mediterranean Sea, the knowledge on the deep-sea circulation and its spatial variability in three contiguous submarine canyons is limited. We used a Lagrangian framework with three-dimensional velocity fields from two hydrodynamics models to study the deep bottom connectivity between submarine canyons and to compare their influences on the particle transport. The particles represented eggs and larvae spawned by the deep-sea commercial shrimp Aristeus antennatus along the continental slope in summer. The passive particles mainly followed a southwest drift along the slope and drifted less than 200 km within 31 days. Two of the sub-marine canyons were connected by more than 27 % particles if they were released at sea bottom depths above 600 m. The vertical displacement of particles was depending on the submarine canyons, the depth and the can-yon wall where particles were released and it encouraged the analyses of the particle transport by canyons in-stead of generalizing the dynamics. In the two hydrodynamic models tested in this study, passive drift simulation differed depending on topography. Despite being run on a coarser grid, the hydrodynamic model using finer bathymetric resolution data and adjusted to the topography seemed to better model the passive drift of particles. Those results promote that the physical model parameterization has to be considered for improving the transport studies of deep-sea species.
Necessidades dos cuidadores de pacientes vítimas de Acidente Vascular Encefálico após a alta hospitalar
Authors: Misawa Fernanda , Sanches Rafaely de Cassia Nogueira , Rêgo Anderson da Silva , Radovanovic Cremilde Aparecida Trindade
Published: July 2019

Objetivou-se descrever as necessidades dos cuidadores familiares de pessoas vítimas de acidente vascular encefálico após a alta hospitalar. Pesquisa qualitativa do tipo convergente assistencial, realizada com quatro famílias e operacionalizada por visitas domiciliares de acordo com a necessidade de cada família. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas abertas e observação participante, transcritos e submetidos à análise de conteúdo, modalidade temática. Os achados foram organizados em duas categorias temáticas, sendo elas: Descobrindo a necessidade de dar continuidade ao tratamento do familiar em casa e; O apoio social à família no enfrentamento do adoecimento.A partir da realidade observada, foi possível identificar dificuldades e orientar as famílias no domicílio, auxiliando-as em suas adaptações logo após alta hospitalar, além de promover a recuperação da pessoa adoecida e a qualidade de vida do cuidador familiar.
Qualidade de vida de pacientes hospitalizados com feridas crônicas
Authors: Santos Kezia Cristina Batista Dos , Ribeiro Gabriela Sellen Campos , Feitosa Adrielly Haiany Coimbra , Silva Barbara Regina Souza Da , Cavalcante Tamires Barradas
Published: July 2019

Objetivou-se analisar a qualidade de vida de pacientes hospitalizados com feridas crônicas. Estudo analítico, transversal com abordagem quantitativa.A amostra do estudo foi composta por 30 pacientes internados com feridas crônicas em um hospital universitário do nordeste do Brasil, no período de agosto de 2017 a janeiro de 2018. Para coleta de dados utilizou-se um questionário de avaliação mental, um formulário socioeconômico e clínicoe a versão brasileira do Freiburg Life Quality Assessment Wound.O domínio com maior interferência na qualidade de vida dos pacientes hospitalizados foi vida social e o de menor interferência, bem-estar psicológico. Foi encontrada associação significativa entre maior idade e mobilidade totalmente limitada com uma pior qualidade de vida dos pacientes internados. Este estudo contribui para o planejamento e implementação de ações de enfermagem com foco nos aspectos biopsicossociais que colaborem para uma melhor qualidade de vida dos pacientes e como subsídio para pesquisas futuras.
Estimation of Groundwater Recharge in Arid Regions Using GIS: A Case Study from Qatar
Authors: Baalousha Husam , Barth Nicolas , Ramasomanana Fanilo , Ahzi Said
Published: June 2019

Aquifers are important sources of water in arid areas, where no surface water exist. Estimation of groundwater recharge from rainfall is a big challenge for hydrogeologists, due to the high uncertainty involved. It is even harder to estimate recharge in arid areas, due to high variability of meteorological parameters in space and time. Unlike recharge in humid and sub-humid areas, recharge in arid areas occurs indirectly after rainfall-runoff accumulates in low lands such as land depressions and recharges the aquifer. A new method for recharge estimation in arid areas has proposed in this study based on soil-water budget model and utilizing geoprocessing tools in GIS. The method uses Digital Elevation Model (DEM), land-cover and rainfall distribution to estimate runoff accumulation in depressions. The soil-water budget model is then applied to estimate the groundwater recharge in areas of runoff accumulation. The geoprocessing tools in GIS such as flow direction and flow accumulation in Spatial Analyst were utilised. The application of the proposed methodology in GIS makes it easy to cover the entire area of study, and to run maps algebra. The method was applied to the entire area of Qatar. The proposed methodology was applied on Qatar as a case study. The spatial resolution of raster maps was 350 by 350 m and the temporal resolution is one day. Data requirements for this study include daily records of rainfall, Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for topography, soil-moisture holding capacity, land-use map and potential evapotranspiration. Recharge is calculated for each cell and summed to provide the total amount. The proposed methodology was applied on the entire country of Qatar using the hydrological year 2013-2014 and daily time steps. This year was selected because enough daily rainfall data was available for this period, with a good coverage of the entire country. Results obtained in this study for the hydrological year 2013/2014 show the total groundwater recharge is approximately 14 million m3, and concentrated more in the northern part of Qatar. The method can be applied on any arid region.
Obesity is associated with the upregulation of TLR4 protein but not associated with polymorphisms of TLR4D299G TLR4T399I
Authors: Alwakeel Mariam , Galash Afnan O. , Saleh Amina , Alkhanji FadelMooza , Rizk Nasser M.
Published: June 2019

Title: Obesity is associated with the upregulation of TLR4 protein but not associated with polymorphisms of TLR4D299G TLR4T399I.Background: Toll-like-receptor 4 (TLR4) is a pathogen-specific receptor, expressed in white blood cells, adipocytes, and other metabolic cells. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and free fatty acids (FFA) can act upon TLR4 and activate systematic inflammation that may lead to obesity and metabolic syndrome (MS).Aim: The aim of this research was to investigate the association of TLR4 polymorphisms of TLR4D299G TLR4T399I, with obesity and metabolic syndrome components in young adult female Arab subjects.Methodology: A prospective cross-sectional study was performed on female students from Qatar-University. The subjects were classified according to BMI classifications by WHO category into two groups: “obese; n = 69” and “non-obese; n = 136”. Anthropometric measurements included weight (kg), height(m), waist circumference (WC) were assessed, and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Several biochemical assays were done to determine glucose and lipid profile. Plasma concentration of Interlukin-10 (IL-10) was measured using ELISA assay. Plasma concentration of IL-6, MCP-1, leptin, and insulin was measured using the multiplex Luminex assay. Also, fresh blood samples were used to measure TLR4 protein expression using flow cytometry assay.Results: TLR4D299G/T399I carriers had no significant association with obesity indicators; body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (%BF), and waist circumference (WC). Haplotype analysisof TLR4 D299G/T399I showed that GT carriers of TLR4 D299G/T399I had a significant association with increased risk of insulin resistance with (odds ratio = 4.73), 95% CI (1.19- 18.90), (P-value = 0.016). Increased level of leptin was associated with obesity phenotype by BMI, WC, and %BF. In addition, up-regulation of TLR4 protein increased significantly in obese subjects by 1.2 fold over the non-obese, with (P-value = 0.006). Conclusions: TLR4 D299G/T399I polymorphism is associated with increased insulin resistance, a core component of metabolic syndromes but not with obesity. In addition, the up-regulation of TLR4 in obese subjects may be related to insulin resistance with increased leptin suggesting that increased free fatty acids may be a possible link to act as a ligand for TLR4.
Efficacy and safety of once daily liraglutideversus twice daily exenatidein type 2diabetic patients in Qatar: an observational study
Authors: Al Adawi Rana Moustafa , Jassim Zainab Malik
Published: June 2019

Background: Type 2 diabetes prevalence is strongly associated with the increase in obesity prevalence. Many of the current diabetic treatments cause further weight gain. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (liraglutide & exenatide) offer advantages of either keeping weight stable or even reducing weight while achieving good glycemic control. Objectives: To compare the glycemic effect of liraglutide versus exenatide over 26 and 52 weeks in uncontrolled type 2 diabetic patients.Methods: A retrospective observation study. Patients with type 2 diabetes who took liraglutide (1.8 mg subcutaneous [SC] once daily) or exenatide (10 mcg SC twice daily) for at least 1 year in addition to their anti-diabetic medications were eligible. For each patient, the following data were collected: HbA1C, fasting plasmaglucose, body weight, blood pressure, lipid profile, hypoglycemia episodes, kidney and liver function. Patient's medical records (both electronic and paper-based records) were used to collect required data. Data analyzed using descriptive & inferential analyses. The study was undertaken by ZJaspart of Masterin clinical pharmacy at Queen's University Belfast Results: 212 patients were included in the study (114 in exenatide group and 98 in liraglutide group). There were no significant differences in all of the patients’ demographics and characteristics between the two groups (table1). Around 73% of included patients were female and half them were aged between 50–59 years. There was in significant difference in mean HbA1C change between both medications at either 26 or 52 weeks (p = 0.23 and 0.40, respectively) (Fig. 1). Patients achieved HbA1C ≤ 7% were significantly higher in the liraglutide group at week 26 (Fig. 2). Liraglutide reduced the mean fasting plasma glucose more than exenatide did at week 26 ( − 1.099 vs. − 0.122 mmol/L; p = 0.15) and week 52 ( − 1.150 vs. − 0.616 mmol/L; p = 0.52). Both medication sex habited weight losses at 26 and 52 weeks; liraglutide − 1.24, − 2.54 vs. exenatide − 1.63, − 3.7 kg, respectively (figure 3). Although both medications were associated with some benefits in term so flipidprofile and blood pressure at a certain point, neither of them were able to show a significant change from baseline. No patients in either groups reported any GI side effects or episodes of hypoglycemia. There was no statistically significant difference between two groups in regards of liver and kidney functions except serum creatinine elevation in heliraglutide group at 52 weeks (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Exenatide and liraglutide resulted in similar glycemic effects (HbA1C and FPG changes) in patients with type 2 diabetes who were sub-optimally controlled with other anti-diabetic therapy. Weight reduction effectiveness was confirmed for both medications with noreported side effects or hypoglycemic episodes during the treatment perid. Future large scale prospective studies are needed to confirm these results.
Does Weight Loss Through Means of Bariatric Surgery Reduce the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Obese Qatari Patient a Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Hanna Fahad , Mohammed Montaha Ghallab , Saad Rahma Ahmad , Al-hwsali Anwar Abdulkarem , Dalal Manar Mamdoh , Aly El-Sherif Mohamed
Published: June 2019

Background: The use of bariatric surgeries such as Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy in managing obesity and associated diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been induced in clinical practice. Weight reduction through means of bariatric surgery has metabolic benefits and may improve the management of T2DM. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate if weight loss through bariatric surgery can reduce the risk of T2DM in patients without the onset of T2DM. Study design: A retrospective analysis was conducted on post-bariatric patients at the department of bariatric and metabolic surgery at Hamad General Hospital. Methods: Tow hundred and two eligible pre-diabetic Qatari patients who have undergone bariatric surgery in 2016 and satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study were analyzed. Data on Glucose, Insulin and C-peptides levels at baseline and follow-up were extracted in order to compare the change of these variables at baseline, 6 and 10 months follow up before and after 10 months from the date of surgery. Results: Seventy one males with mean age of 32.73 ± 10.37 and one hundred and thirty one females with mean age of 33.90 ± 9.88 were included in the analysis. Change in weight was strongly and positively associated with change in insulin level (0.701, 95% CI: 0.027, 1.347, p = 0.042) also, as weight changes fasting glucose changes (1.993, 95% CI: 0.359, 3.627, p = 0.017). Follow-up period greater than 6 months was not found to be significantly associated with weight loss (2.049, 95% CI: − 2.249, 6.349, p = 0.313). Conclusion: Our study confirms results from international studies that weight loss through bariatric surgery can reduce the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes Qatari obese patients. The results of the study suggest that post-surgery periods can be detrimental to the fate of fasting glucose and insulin levels and therefore compliance maybe of great importance to ensure success and sustainability of weight loss and diabetes prevention. Larger samples size and longer follow-up period is required to confirm these findings.
Hypoglycemic and Cardioprotective Effects of Methanol Extracts of Gymnema Sylvestre Plant and Annona Senegalensis Carpels Used in the Folkloric Treatment of Diabetes
Authors: Muhammad Hadiza Lami
Published: June 2019

The epidemic of diabetes has major health and socioeconomic impacts especially in developing countries, and subjects with diabetes have increased risk of disease affecting the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves. Whole Gymnema sylvestre plant and Annona senegalensis carpels are used in the folkloric treatment of diabetes mellitus and the management of its attendant complications. Diabetes was induced in Swiss albino rats by single intraperitoneal administration of 11  mg/kg bodyweight of alloxan monohydrate and rats with blood glucose ≥  206 mg/dl were considered diabetic. Rats in their respective groups were orally administered 100, 300 and 600 mg/kg bodyweight of extracts of either Annona senegalensis carpels or Gymnema sylvestre daily for fourteen days while the standard drug group received 100 mg/kg bodyweight of metformin for the same period. The normoglycaemic (positive control) and the diabetic untreated (negative control) groups received 0.5 ml normal saline. The animals were euthanized on the 15th day and blood samples were collected by carotid puncture for biochemical analysis. The 600 mg/kg bodyweight dose of Gymnema sylvestre and 300 mg/kg bodyweight dose of Annona senegalensis carpels respectively reduced the blood glucose of diabetic rats by 76.45 % and 72.01 %. All treatment groups of Gymnema sylvestre gave urea and creatinine values that showed no significance differences (p>0.05) with the normoglycemic (positive control) group while urea and potassium ion (K+) concentrations at 600 mg/kg bodyweight of Annona senegalensis carpels extract reduced significantly as the blood glucose progressively declined. Chloride ion (Cl− ) concentrations in the treatment groups for both extracts did not differ from the normoglycemic (control) group, while there was a reduction in the concentrations of potassium ion (K− ) of 100 and 300 mg/kg bodyweight treated groups of Gymnema sylvestre extract. There was also a reduction in the concentration of sodium in all treated groups when compared with the normoglycemic group. The concentrations of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low density lipoprotein also reduced regressively as the treatment days progressed and a concomitant increase in the values of high density lipoprotein in all treated groups for both extracts when compared with diabetic untreated (negative control). The crude methanol extracts of Gymnema sylvestre and Annona senegalensis carpels were able to lower the blood glucose of diabetic rats and ameliorate the attendant hyperlipidemic effect associated with diabetes.
Efecto filtrador del pepino de mar sobre la materia orgánica en cultivos de tilapia gris
Authors: Hernández Rivera Carmen Isabel , Cea Navas Noelia Erlinda , Pacheco Interiano Alixon Enrique , Reyes Guido Hermes Ramón
Published: July 2019

La acuicultura puede ser delimitada como una acción o rubro mercantil alternativo, en cuanto a la crianza de recursos hidrobiológicos, denominados de igual manera como peces, crustáceos, moluscos y vegetación acuática, en ambientes totalmente discordantes en relación a los naturales, en donde las variables físicas y químicas pueden ser relativamente controlables, con el objetivo de sustituir y perfeccionar las condiciones mediante las cuales estos organismos puedan satisfacer sus necesidades como si estuvieran en ambientes particularmente normales. La acuicultura a nivel mundial figura como una de las actividades con mayor utilización de los recursos hídricos en el cual se debe apostar por la implementación de sistemas que supongan un ahorro de agua. Este estudio fue realizado en las instalaciones del Laboratorio de Investigaciones Marinas y Acuícolas (LIMA) de la UNAN-León, con la intención de comparar dos diferentes sistemas de cultivo (Monocultivo y Policultivo), que permitieran evaluar la capacidad de filtración del pepino de mar (Isostichopus fuscus)   sobre la materia orgánica producida en cultivos de tilapia gris (Oreochromis sp), obteniendo como resultados de la investigación 453.0 mg/L02 de materia orgánica, 0.32 mg/Lt de materia en suspensión, 6.29 mgNH3-N/L (Nitrógeno Amoniacal), 43.35 mg N02 -IL (Nitrito) y 18.4 mg N03/L (Nitrato) para el sistema de policultivo; por otro lado se obtuvieron datos de 512 mg/L02 de materia orgánica, 4.48 mg/Lt de materia en suspensión, 17.02 mgNH3-N/L, 26.90 mg N02 -IL, 33.87 mg NO3/L para el sistema de monocultivo, denotando así la efectividad del pepino de mar (Isostichopus fuscus) sobre el objeto de estudio
The Case Study of Pragmatic Failure in Second Language of Pakistani Students
Authors: Asif Muhammad , Deng Zhiyong , Hussain Zahoor , Rasool Samma Faiz
Published: July 2019

The current study explores the pragmatic failure in the second language (L2) of Pakistani learners at the graduate level. Pragmatic failure occurs mainly because of the lack of the cultural awareness and knowledge, and it offers an angle for the discussion in this study. However, the development of L2 learners’ pragmatic competence plays a significant role in accomplishment of communicative competence. This study was aimed to examine the relationship between pragmatics and language proficiency. The data were selected from two universities, i.e., University of Management and Technology, Lahore, and Minhaj University Lahore. The sample of 80 L2 learners participated in this study, and forty students were selected from each university. They were studying English as L2 for four years, respectively. All learners were Urdu speakers and their age ranged from 22 to 28. To assess participants’ language proficiency, Oxford Quick Placement Test (1999) was employed. The data were analyzed through the SPSS software (version 22) to answer the research questions. The descriptive analysis is utilized to find out the results. In order to evaluate the data, One Way ANOVA was run to see the level of significance among the three groups, i.e., High, Mid and Low. It is 0.445 between High and Mid group, and finally the level of significance between Low and Mid group is 0.001. The results reveal that L2 Pakistani learners have a lot of problems not only in pragmatic competence but in language proficiency as well. However, there is a significant relationship between pragmatics and language proficiency. And finally, it is found that there is no difference between male and female learners in pragmatic field, and eventually we came to this conclusion that pragmatic feature of English is predictable, namely, those students who are in a high level of language proficiency do better in pragmatic situations.
Power, Ideology and Identity in Digital Literacy: A Sociolinguistic Study
Authors: Baig Fatima Zafar , Yousaf Wajeeha , Aazam Fareeha , Shamshad Sarah , Fida Iqra , Aslam Muhammad Zammad
Published: July 2019

This study investigates the significance of digital media in terms of social implications. It draws its theoretical insights from the Darvin and Norton model of investment (2015) as it gives purely a new dimension to the concept of digital literacy. The study is designed in order to evaluate some important aspects of Social media, particularly Facebook, as an important digital literacy practice. Firstly, the study examines the way power is operated in the digital mediated construction of social identities. Certain social identities position other identities and accord or refuse them power. These even shape social ideologies and identities as English-language speakers hold a privileged position in society while Urdu-language speakers are marginalized all over the world. Secondly, it explores the role of digital media in the investment of language and digital literacy practices to represent social ideologies at three different angles of marriage, adulthood and family. Having established a sampling frame consisting of nine Facebook pictorial postings from three Facebook pages, the findings suggested that the text and visual representations of Facebook postings use various linguistic features like literary devices that are playing an evident role in the representation of social ideologies.
Farmer Preferred Traits and Potential for Adoption of Hybrid Rice in Ghana
Authors: Abebrese Samuel Oppong , Martey Edward , Dartey Paul Kofi Ayirebi , Akromah Richard , Gracen Vernon Edward , Offei Samuel Kwame , Danquah Eric Yirenkyi
Published: June 2019

Hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L) cultivars exploit hybrid vigor to break the yield ceiling of their inbred counterpart thereby increasing productivity per unit area. Crop varieties released in developing countries are often poorly adopted as a result of their failure to meet farmer and consumer trait preferences. This study was therefore conducted to identify key farmer preferred traits, assess farmers' general rice agronomic practices and the potential for adoption of hybrid rice through formal and informal survey approaches. Farmer preferred traits include high yield, early maturity, and good grain quality, but few others, their preferences varied according to location. High cost of hybrid rice seeds was identified as a major challenge. There will be the need for reasonable pricing such that the return from growing hybrid seed is high enough for farmers to recognize the value of growing hybrids. Forty per cent (40%) of the responding farmers were found to employ seed wasting practices such as broadcasting and dibbling. Farmers gave mistrust and unreliable seed supply as the main reasons for their low patronage of the formal seed system. Only two per cent (2%) of the responding farmers purchase seeds from private seed companies. It will be necessary to revamp the formal seed system to encourage farmer patronage and private sector involvement for successful roll out of hybrid rice technology in Ghana. Considering the expected yield advantage (>50%) and the price farmers will like to pay (GH¢3.3; $0.8), the prospects of hybrid rice adoption could said to be low.
Editorial
Authors: Metze Tamara
Published: July 2019

Editorial

This editorial offers an introduction to the current issue.
Politie en rechtstatelijke waarden: opvattingen van politieleiders
Authors: van Duijneveldt Ivo
Published: July 2019

Police and rule of law. Opinions of police leaders

Since the 1970s social integration of the police has been considered as a key element of the Dutch police. It can be understood as a strategy to realise police legitimacy. This article adresses the question whether the Dutch police still strive for police legitimacy via social integration. The article is based on a series of interviews with present and former strategic leaders of the Dutch police. The study shows how asking about police legitimacy and social integration of the police leads to more fundamental considerations about the role of the police in democratic society and about democratic values and the rule of law (‘Rechtsstaat’). The article concludes that police leaders emphasize the importance of civic liberties (freedom of speech, right to demonstrate) and equal rights. Police leaders consider the role of the police to reinforce and protect these values. In their opinion, this requires the police to be deeply rooted in society.
Slavernij in de maatschappij
Authors: Lurvink Karin , Combrink Tamira
Published: July 2019

Slavery in Dutch society.

Reflection and debate initiates academically inspired discussions on issues that are on the current policy agenda.
Meer dan een zwarte bladzijde
Authors: Kofi Richard , de Wildt Annemarie
Published: July 2019

More than a dark page

Reflection and debate initiates academically inspired discussions on issues that are on the current policy agenda.
Naar een meerstemmig perspectief op het Nederlandse slavernijverleden
Authors: Heilbron Miguel
Published: July 2019

Towards a Multifaceted Perspective on Slavery in Dutch History

Reflection and debate initiates academically inspired discussions on issues that are on the current policy agenda.