bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Off goes the telly: Writer discourse on the Life on Mars franchise finales
Authors: Becker Christine
Published: July 2015

The British original Life on Mars, the spin-off Ashes to Ashes, and the American remake of Life on Mars offered divergent endings to the same premise, and each series finale divided viewer opinion to varying degrees. This article discusses these three different endings and considers how the writers of each series framed explanations for their creative decisions in discourse surrounding the finales. The article’s analysis illustrates that the series writers strove to justify their narrative resolutions strategically at various points in each series run to account for potential public reaction and to frame their writing decisions as driven primarily by creative motivations, not industrial ones. As such, the article suggests that writers of television finales, particularly those that close off serialized shows, have more opportunity and pressure than ever before to enter into dialogue with emboldened audiences about the production process.
An overview of the linguistics of screenwriting and its interdisciplinary connections, with special focus on dialogue in episodic television
Authors: Bednarek Monika
Published: July 2015

This article provides an overview of linguistic research into dialogue in episodic television and the linguistics of screenwriting. It classifies relevant research into five categories: (1) genre; (2) audio-visual translation and language learning; (3) the relationship between television and society; (4) how characters and worlds are built; and (5) the nature of TV dialogue and its relationship to the audience. The main focus is on discussing research that falls into categories three to five and on outlining the potential for useful connections between linguistics and other disciplines in these areas. The purpose of this article is to raise awareness of linguistic research on TV dialogue, and to encourage interdisciplinary perspectives and collaborative research projects on television writing, in screenwriting research and beyond.
Reviews
Authors: Christie Ian , Dooley Kath , Finnegan John
Published: July 2015

The Screenwriter in British Cinema, Jill Nelmes (2013) London: BFI/Palgrave Macmillan, 304 pp., ISBN: 9781844573653, p/bk, £24.99

Storytelling in World Cinemas Vol. 1 (Forms), Lina Khatib (ed.) (2012) Columbia: Wallflower Press/Cambridge University Press, 240 pp., ISBN: 9780231162043, p/bk, £52

Storytelling in World Cinemas Vol. 2 (Contexts), Lina Khatib (ed.) (2013) Columbia: Wallflower Press/Cambridge University Press, 224 pp., ISBN: 9780231163361, p/bk, £52

Into the Woods: A Five Act Journey Into Story, John Yorke (2013) London: Penguin, 312 pp., ISBN: 9781846146442, p/bk, £16.99
Structured eigenvalue backward errors of matrix polynomials
Authors: Sharma Punit , Bora Shreemayee , Karow Michael , Mehl Christian
Published: July 2015

In this poster, we briefly present some results on eigenvalue backward errors of matrix pencils and polynomials under structure preserving perturbations. We also present eigenvalue backward errors of real matrix pencils with respect to real perturbations that also preserve certain structures like symmetric, T-alternating and T-palindromic. Numerical results show that there is a significant difference between the backward errors with respect to perturbations that preserve structures and those with respect to arbitrary perturbations.
Anesthesia-related status epilepticus after fiber optic colonoscopy in a child
Authors: Shu Shiyu
Published: July 2015

A healthy, 8-year-old girl with a history of hematochezia underwent an uneventful fiber optic colonoscopy with propofol anesthesia. During the postoperative recovery period, she experienced acute-onset muscle rigidity, loss of consciousness, apnea, hypoxia, and hyperthermia. She was administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation and was treated with naloxone, mannitol, and midazolam. She regained consciousness after 14 hours. She underwent cerebral function rehabilitation and was discharged in 1 month without obvious neurologic sequelae. This case illustrates that propofol may affect the developing brain differently from the adult brain. Propofol-induced seizures can lead to life-threatening status epilepticus in children. Immediate diagnosis and effective treatment are essential.
Global regularity for a model Navier–Stokes equations on ℝ3
Authors: Chae Dongho
Published: July 2015

We study a nonlinear parabolic system for a time dependent solenoidal vector field on ℝ3.
The nonlinear term of these new model equations is obtained slightly modifying that of the Navier–Stokes equations.
The system has the same scaling property and Galilean invariance as the Navier–Stokes equations. For such a system we prove the global regularity
for smooth initial data.
Optimizing anaerobic co-digestion plants: MIR online instrumentation and dynamic real-time substrate feed optimization
Authors: Gaida Daniel , Wolf Christian , Eccleston Robin , Bongards Michael
Published: July 2015

Closed-loop control of the substrate feed as well as the application of online instrumentation are important to achieve optimal biogas
plant operation. Therefore, this paper presents two novel approaches for online instrumentation and control to achieve optimal AD plant
operation based on middle-infrared spectroscopy on the one hand and nonlinear model predictive control on the other hand. At present,
research into both techniques is being performed separately, with the intention that in the future the spectroscopic measurements will
be integrated into the control loop.
Short-term management of hydropower reservoirs under meteorological uncertainty by means of multi-stage optimization
Authors: Naumann Steffi , Schwanenberg Dirk , Karimanzira Divas , Fan Fernando , Allen Christopher
Published: July 2015

Uncertainty in meteorology, market volatility and balancing requirements for introducing renewable energy resources into the power
grid, environmental obligations require robust management of non-intermittent energy sources such as hydropower. In this paper,
a probalistic management system is shown and its performance is discussed in relation to the deterministic one. In the system, scenario
trees enable to setup a multi-stage stochastic optimization approach as the mathematical formulation of the short-term system
management. The Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS), managed by the Bonneville Power Administration, the US Army Corps of
Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation, serves as a large-scale test case for the application of the management system and proves that
the stochastic approach is feasible and verify the operational applicability within a real-time environment.
Librarian in Residence 2014 – „Lobbying für eBooks in Öffentlichen Bibliotheken“
Authors: Kummrow Eckhard
Published: July 2015

Als Stipendiat von Bibliothek International (BI) und dem Goethe-Institut New York habe ich im November 2014 die USA besucht. Der Bericht zum Thema Lobbying für eBooks in Öffentlichen Bibliotheken gibt Einblicke in verschiedene Segmente, in denen amerikanische Bibliotheken Lobbyisten für eBooks (und andere digitale Inhalte) sind. Die Projekte ReadersFirst und LibrarySimplified können auch von deutschen Bibliotheken ideell unterstützt werden und sind als Grundlage für eine gemeinsame Position der deutschen Bibliotheken gegenüber Verlagen und Aggregatoren hilfreich.
Einstellung zur (automatischen) Sacherschließung in deutsch- und englischsprachigen Ländern
Authors: Keller Alice
Published: July 2015

Angesichts der Tatsache, dass die Sacherschließung in deutsch- und englischsprachigen Bibliotheken von verschiedenen Personalgruppen (Fachreferenten bzw. Katalogisierern) geleistet wird, geht die Umfrage der Frage nach, ob unterschiedliche Einstellungen gegenüber der inhaltlichen Erschließung im Allgemeinen und der automatischen Sacherschließung im Besonderen zu erkennen sind. Die Umfrage zeigt eine große Ähnlichkeit zwischen den zwei Sprachregionen: Befragte sind überzeugt vom Nutzen der Sacherschließung und möchten das gegenwärtige Qualitätsniveau aufrechterhalten, gegenüber der automatischen Sacherschließung sind sie hingegen skeptisch eingestellt. Der Beitrag präsentiert und diskutiert die Resultate der Umfrage.
Social Media in der Mediothek Krefeld
Authors: Kramer Martin
Published: July 2015

Die Mediothek Krefeld engagiert sich sehr stark in den sozialen Netzwerken. Seit fünf Jahren werden verschiedene Plattformen genutzt, um die Mediothek in der Bürgerschaft zu positionieren. Die relevantesten sind Facebook, Instagram, Twitter und youtube. Der Beitrag zieht eine erste Bilanz und stellt Zeit- und Arbeitsaufwand dem erzielten Nutzen gegenüber.
Jahrestagung der Zuständigen Stellen für den FaMI-Beruf in Potsdam
Authors: Holste-Flinspach Karin
Published: July 2015

2015 fand die 17. Tagung der Zuständigen Stellen für die Fachangestelltenausbildung im Öffentlichen Dienst vom 20.–22. April 2015 in Potsdam statt. Organisatorisch geplant von Susanne
Taege vom Brandenburgischen Landeshauptarchiv Potsdam, der Landesfachstelle für Archive und öffentliche Bibliotheken und Zuständigen Stelle nach § 73 BBiG, und unter der Tagungsleitung von Roswitha
Hoge von der Bezirksregierung Köln. Mit der Anwesenheit von 24 Teilnehmern waren alle Bundesländer bis auf Baden-Württemberg und Bremen vertreten.
Effects of organic compounds on the macroalgae culture of Aegagropila linnaei
Authors: Messyasz Beata , Leska Boguslawa , Fabrowska Joanna , Pikosz Marta , Cieslak Adam , Schroeder Grzegorz
Published: July 2015

The effects of the impact of four organic compounds (ascorbic acid, biotin, glucose and sucrose) on ash, protein, fiber, fat and amino acid contents in the freshwater Aegagropila linnaei biomass were examined in 7 and 14 days of cultivations in high concentrations of tested compounds (100 mg L-1). The presence of examined organic compounds had a negligible effect on the development of algae and their biomass composition. There were no significant differences in the amino acids composition in the biomass in the presence of organic compounds compared to the test system. However, the increase in ash content was observed irrespective of the cultivation time in the case of all used organic compounds. Only slight differences in crude fat concentration were observed in the case of 7 days cultivation with ascorbic acid, biotin and sucrose, while the highest increase of ash content was observed after 14 days of supplementation with glucose. None of the compounds affected changes in amino acid content in the Aegagropila linnaei biomass. The results suggest that an environment enriched with the test organic compounds had only minimal, or at most short-term, effects on the algal biomass composition.
Optimal high speed CMOS inverter design using craziness based Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm
Authors: De Bishnu P. , Kar Rajib , Mandal Durbadal , Ghoshal Sakti P.
Published: July 2015

The inverter is the most fundamental logic gate that performs a Boolean operation on a single input variable. In this paper, an optimal design of CMOS inverter using an improved version of particle swarm optimization technique called Craziness based Particle Swarm Optimization (CRPSO) is proposed. CRPSO is very simple in concept, easy to implement and computationally efficient algorithm with two main advantages: it has fast, nearglobal convergence, and it uses nearly robust control parameters. The performance of PSO depends on its control parameters and may be influenced by premature convergence and stagnation problems. To overcome these problems the PSO algorithm has been modiffed to CRPSO in this paper and is used for CMOS inverter design. In birds’ flocking or ffsh schooling, a bird or a ffsh often changes direction suddenly. In the proposed technique, the sudden change of velocity is modelled by a direction reversal factor associated with the previous velocity and a "craziness" velocity factor associated with another direction reversal factor. The second condition is introduced depending on a predeffned craziness probability to maintain the diversity of particles. The performance of CRPSO is compared with real code.gnetic algorithm (RGA), and conventional PSO reported in the recent literature. CRPSO based design results are also compared with the PSPICE based results. The simulation results show that the CRPSO is superior to the other algorithms for the examples considered and can be efficiently used for the CMOS inverter design.
Exercise stress echocardiography in patients with valvular heart disease
Authors: Sharma Vishal , Newby David E. , Stewart Ralph A. H. , Lee Mildred , Gabriel Ruvin , Van Pelt Niels , Kerr Andrew J.
Published: July 2015

Stress echocardiography is recommended for the assessment of asymptomatic patients with severe valvular heart disease (VHD) when there is discrepancy between symptoms and resting markers of severity. The aim of this study is to determine the prognostic value of exercise stress echocardiography in patients with common valve lesions. One hundred and fifteen patients with VHD (aortic stenosis (n=28); aortic regurgitation (n=35); mitral regurgitation, (n=26); mitral stenosis (n=26)), and age- and sex-matched controls (n=39) with normal ejection fraction underwent exercise stress echocardiography. The primary endpoint was a composite of death or hospitalization for heart failure. Asymptomatic VHD patients had lower exercise capacity than controls and 37% of patients achieved <85% of their predicted metabolic equivalents (METS). There were three deaths and four hospital admissions, and 24 patients underwent surgery during follow-up. An abnormal stress echocardiogram (METS <5, blood pressure rise <20 mmHg, or pulmonary artery pressure post exercise >60 mmHg) was associated with an increased risk of death or hospital admission (14% vs 1%, P<0.0001). The assessment of contractile reserve did not offer additional predictive value. In conclusion, an abnormal stress echocardiogram is associated with death and hospitalization with heart failure at 2 years. Stress echocardiography should be considered as part of the routine follow-up of all asymptomatic patients with VHD.
Best Practices for Implementing a Living Wage Policy in Canada: Using Community-Campus Partnerships to Further the Community's Goal
Authors: Pei Natasha , Feltham Janice , Ford Ian , Schwartz Karen
Published: July 2015

The study explores one longitudinal case of engaged scholarship, the collaborative Best Practices for Implementing a Living Wage Policy in Canada: Using community-campus partnerships to further the community's goals presents best practices for implementing a living wage policy, based on surveys and interviews of living wage advocates across Canada. This paper is a product of the ongoing partnership between Vibrant Communities Canada and Carleton University which is conducting a seven-year, SSHRC-funded study on how community-campus relationships can use joint resources to create practice and policy changes in the battle against poverty. For eight months, a group of Master of Social Work students researched the status of the working poor and the progress of living wage campaigns in North America, and analyzed data collected through surveys and interviews with individuals engaged in living wage campaigns. Recommendations for best practices to implement a living wage policy are discussed and include (a) developing a core group of individuals, (b) engaging champions to extend the buy-in of companies, (c) establishing a positive framework for the campaign, and (d) dedicating more resources to research and knowledge. This work is intended to facilitate discussion and create real impact on minimum wage regulations and business practices, resulting in increased social inclusion for individuals who identify as living in poverty.
Identifying Priorities for Mental Health Interventions in War-Affected Youth: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Betancourt Theresa S. , Gilman Stephen E. , Brennan Robert T. , Zahn Ista , VanderWeele Tyler J.
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND:

War-affected youth often suffer from multiple co-occurring mental health problems. These youth often live in low-resource settings where it may be infeasible to provide mental health services that simultaneously address all of these co-occurring mental health issues. It is therefore important to identify the areas where targeted interventions would do the most good.

METHODS:

This analysis uses observational data from 3 waves of a longitudinal study on mental health in a sample of 529 war-affected youth (24.2% female; ages 10–17 at T1, 2002) in Sierra Leone. We regressed 4 mental health outcomes at T3 (2008) on internalizing (depression/anxiety) and externalizing (hostility/aggression) problems and prosocial attitudes/behaviors and community variables at T2 (2004) controlling for demographics, war exposures, and previous mental health scores at T1, allowing us to assess the relative impact of potential mental health intervention targets in shaping mental health outcomes over time.

RESULTS:

Controlling for baseline covariates at T1 and all other exposures/potential intervention targets at T2, we observed a significant association between internalizing problems at T2 and 3 of the 4 outcomes at T3: internalizing (β = 0.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.11–0.42), prosocial attitudes (β = –0.20, 95% CI: –0.33 to –0.07) and posttraumatic stress symptoms (β = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.02–0.43). No other potential intervention target had similar substantial effects.

CONCLUSIONS:

Reductions in internalizing may have multiple benefits for other mental health outcomes at a later point in time, even after controlling for confounding variables.
Sirolimus for the Treatment of a Massive Capillary-Lymphatico-Venous Malformation: A Case Report
Authors: Vlahovic Aleksandar M. , Vlahovic Natasa S. , Haxhija Emir Q.
Published: July 2015

Management of patients with complex vascular anomalies (VAs) is often associated with significant morbidity and mortality because of the lack of effective treatment modalities that may lead to significant improvement of the disease and/or healing. Recently, reports of treatment of patients with complex VAs with sirolimus revealed encouraging results. Sirolimus inhibits the mammalian target of rapamycin, which acts as a master switch of numerous cellular processes. We report a successful use of sirolimus for the treatment of a patient with a complex CLVM of the trunk and the right lower extremity believed to be untreatable. Our patient had 44 hospitalizations during the 10-year period, with various unsuccessful treatments and continuous deterioration of his clinical condition, ending up in a wheelchair. His condition reversed to normal everyday activities 9 months after initiation of sirolimus therapy. We conclude that sirolimus is a very promising therapeutic option for children with complex VAs of capillary-lymphatico-venous type.
La amenaza sísmica de la Sabana de Bogotá frente a un sismo de magnitud M > 7.0, cuyo origen esté en el Piedemonte Llanero
Authors: Chicangana German , Vargas-Jiménez Carlos Alberto , Kammer Andreas , Caneva Alexander , Salcedo Hurtado Elkin , Gómez Capera Augusto
Published: July 2015

En este trabajo se pasa a mostrar como un gran sismo originado en el Sistema de Fallas de la Falla Frontal de la Cordillera Oriental (SFFFCO) puede producir grandes daños y pérdidas de vida tanto en el área metropolitana de Bogotá, como en el resto de la Sabana de Bogotá. El grado de la vulnerabilidad de Bogotá D.C. frente a un sismo cercano originado en el Piedemonte Llanero con una distancia inferior a 250 Km con una magnitud > 7.0, es muy alto teniendo presente que sus suelos de origen lagunar se ubican hacía el occidente y noroccidente, zonas que durante las dos últimas décadas se ha ido expansionado el área metropolitana.
Hacia la construcción de conocimiento emergente para la gestión local del riesgo
Authors: Hernández Peña Yolanda , Vargas Cuervo German
Published: July 2015

El presente artículo tiene como objetivo reflexionar sobre la necesidad de generar procesos de construcción de conocimiento emergente para analizar e incidir en los escenarios de riesgo. Las reflexiones surgen de lo hallado durante la investigación para la tesis doctoral de geografía “Análisis de imaginarios y percepciones asociados a fenómenos naturales para una adecuada gestión del riesgo”, realizada con un enfoque etnográfico, en distintos escenarios de riesgo del país, como inundaciones, erupciones volcánicas, movimientos en masa y sismos. El resultado es una propuesta que permite relacionar el conocimiento local con el técnico, y facilita el entendimiento de los diversos vínculos entre los fenómenos naturales y los grupos sociales establecidos en sus zonas de influencia, así como ofrecer orientaciones que enriquezcan la gestión del riesgo.
Las catástrofes naturales
Authors: Capacci Alberto , Mangano Stefania
Published: July 2015

Durante los últimos cuarenta años, la cantidad de víctimas por catástrofes naturales se ha quintuplicado en el mundo. El aumento incontrolado de la población, especialmente de la urbana, así como la situación socioeconómica, medioambiental y política de algunas regiones, son las principales causas de esta situación. El objetivo del presente trabajo es dar una idea de las principales cuestiones (teóricas, tipológicas, dimensionales y de costos) ligadas a dichas catástrofes, las cuales pueden estimular reflexiones, desde consideraciones de tipo teórico hasta aquellas más prácticas y operativas.
Riesgos socionaturales: vulnerabilidad socioeconómica, justicia ambiental y justicia espacial
Authors: Campos-Vargas Milagros , Toscana-Aparicio Alejandra , Campos Alanís Juan
Published: July 2015

En este artículo se discuten los significados de los conceptos vulnerabilidad socioeconómica, justicia ambiental y justicia espacial, en sus relaciones con los riesgos socionaturales y los desastres. Se parte de que dichos riesgos son construcciones sociales, derivadas de las modificaciones antrópicas al ambiente. Se explica de qué manera la vulnerabilidad socioeconómica es clave en el entendimiento de las causas de los desastres, y cómo, las consecuencias de estos, no son homogéneas, sino que se distribuyen según las condiciones de dicha vulnerabilidad. Posteriormente se expone la forma en que las nociones de justicia ambiental y justicia espacial pueden coadyuvar en el manejo de riesgos y desastres, mediante la reducción de las desigualdades espaciales y los impactos de los desastres.
Causas, características e impacto de los procesos de remoción en masa, en áreas contrastantes de la región Andina
Authors: Mergili Martin , Marchant Santiago Carla I. , Moreiras Stella M.
Published: July 2015

Las remociones en masa son agentes geomorfológicos comunes en la región Andina, las cuales pueden producir desastres, cuya ocurrencia y propiedades son determinadas por la interacción de varios factores geológicos, topográficos, climáticos y las actividades antropogénicas. La comprensión de sus características se beneficia de estudios comparativos sobre áreas climáticas, geomorfológicas y socioeconómicas. Colombia, con su clima húmedo tropical y una alta densidad poblacional, es uno de los puntos globales de más alto riesgo de remociones en masa, como deslizamientos y flujos, accionados por La Niña o la actividad de volcanes glaciados, los cuales contrastan con las caídas de rocas y flujos detríticos en el árido y escasamente poblado centro-oeste argentino, donde los eventos son generalmente asociados a El Niño.
Synthesis of CdS nanocrystals in polymeric films studied by in-situ GID and GISAXS
Authors: Di Luccio Tiziana , Carbone Dina , Masala Silvia , Ramachandran Karthik , Kornfield Julie
Published: July 2015

In this work, we describe the synthesis of CdS nanocrystals in thin polymeric films by in-situ Grazing Incidence Diffraction (GID) and Grazing Incidence Small Angle Scattering (GISAXS). The 2D GISAXS patterns indicate how the precursor structure is altered as the temperature is varied from 25°C to 300°C. At 150°C, the CdS nanocrystals start to arrange themselves in a hexagonal lattice with a lattice parameter of 27 Å. The diffraction intensity from the hexagonal lattice reaches a maximum at 170°C and decreases steadily upon further heating above 220°C indicating loss of symmetry. Correspondingly, the GID scans at 170°C show strong crystalline peaks from cubic CdS nanocrystals that are about 2 nm size. The results indicate that a temperature of 170°C is sufficient to synthesize CdS nanocrystals without degradation of the polymer matrix (Topas) in thin films (about 30nm).
Ramifications of diglossia on how native Arabic-speaking students in Israel write
Authors: Brosh Hezi , Attili Lubna
Published: July 2015

This paper investigates the effect of diglossia in Arabic on the writing behavior of native Arabic-speaking high school students in Israel. Participating in this study were 30 students in the 12th grade. Each participant wrote an essay that was a part of the matriculation examination in the Standard Variety (SV) required for graduation by the Ministry of Education. The essays were analyzed for deviations from SV. The data used for this paper consisted of deviations from SV caused by interference of the participants’ Arabic vernacular. The findings clearly show that the linguistic distance in the two domains that were investigated – the syntactic and the lexical – significantly affected the writing behavior of the participants, who used structures and lexical items that are characteristic of their mother tongue, the Palestinian variety.
On displacement and engagement
Authors: Sarangi Srikant
Published: July 2015

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What factors affect attendance at musculoskeletal physiotherapy outpatient services for patients from a high deprivation area in New Zealand?
Authors: Perry Meredith , Hudson Sheena , Clode Nick , Wright Karen , Baxter David
Published: July 2015

Barriers to accessing health services in New Zealand may manifest in inequalities. This study explored barriers and facilitators to accessing a District Health Board funded musculoskeletal physiotherapy outpatient service situated in two different geographical locations. Participants were purposely and then systematically selected from attendance records, were aged 18 years and older, had failed to attend one or more physiotherapy musculoskeletal outpatient sessions at either location, and lived in a geographical area considered high deprivation. Semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using the General Inductive Approach. Seventeen participants with diverse ethnic backgrounds aged between 22 and 67 years were recruited. Four barriers (‘Placing value on the unknown’, ‘Divergent health beliefs’, ‘Appropriateness of physiotherapy’, ‘Waiting times’) and three facilitators (‘Convenience’, ‘Privacy’, ‘Physiotherapy works’) were identified. No barrier was identified as being more problematic at either clinic site. Participants believed physiotherapy was beneficial. However, uncertainty regarding the aims of physiotherapy affected participants’ ability to value its worth and affected attendance. Convenience of location influenced attendance of people living in a high deprivation area.
Immediate effects of sensory discrimination for chronic low back pain: A case series
Authors: Louw Adriaan , Farrell Kevin , Wettach Lauren , Uhl Justine , Majkowski Katherine , Welding Marcus
Published: July 2015

Can a brief tactile intervention associated with brain remapping improve pain and spinal movement in patients with chronic low back pain? A convenience sample of patients with chronic low back pain completed various pre-intervention measurements including low back pain (Numeric Pain Rating Scale), fear-avoidance (Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire), disability (Oswestry Disability Index) and spinal flexion (fingertip-to-floor). A 5-minute localisation of tactile stimuli treatment was administered to the low back, followed by immediate post-intervention measurement of pain and spinal flexion. Sixteen patients (female = 12; mean age 48.2 years) with chronic low back pain (median duration 10 years) presented with a mean low back pain of 5.56 out of 10, moderate disability (mean Oswestry Disability Index 34.38%) and high fear-avoidance associated with physical activity (average 17.25). Immediately following treatment, the group’s mean pain rating for low back pain decreased by 1.91, while forward flexion improved by 4.82 cm. The results from the case series indicate that following a brief tactile discrimination intervention, patients with chronic low back pain exceeded minimal detectible change for forward flexion. Being able to improve movement, without using physical movement, may provide an added benefit for patients with chronic low back pain afraid to move.
Do hydrotherapy exercise programmes improve exercise tolerance and quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure? A systematic review
Authors: Graetz Bianca , Sullivan Marcus , Robertson Trina , Reeve Julie
Published: July 2015

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether hydrotherapy programmes improve exercise tolerance and quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure. Data sources utilised were EBSCO, Scopus, Medline, PubMed, OVID, Proquest, PEDro and Cochrane Systematic Reviews databases. A systematic review of randomised controlled trials or quasi randomised controlled trials investigated hydrotherapy compared with a suitable control. Methodological quality was assessed using a modified version of the Downs and Black critical appraisal tool. Findings demonstrated that hydrotherapy was well tolerated with few adverse events reported. Two studies demonstrated hydrotherapy intervention groups significantly improved 6MWT from baseline (p ≤ 0.05), while two studies found significantly greater improvements when compared to non-exercising (p = 0.01) and land based exercising (p = 0.001) controls. Four studies found significant gains (p ≤ 0.05) in VO2 peak from baseline following hydrotherapy interventions. Two studies reported significant (p = 0.01) intragroup improvements in total score of the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire in hydrotherapy intervention groups when compared with baseline and a non-exercising control respectively. In conclusion, hydrotherapy exercise programmes were well tolerated and appear to improve exercise capacity and quality of life in people with chronic heart failure but firm conclusions could not be drawn due to the poor to moderate quality of the evidence.
Commitment of Russian University Teachers To University and Profession
Authors: Lovakov Andrey
Published: July 2015

This article reviews the results of an online poll held among 317 teachers of state universities in a number of regions of Russia. The commitment to university and profession is evaluated with a 3-component Meyer and Allen model that singles out: emotional commitment (emotional attachment to the university or profession), normative commitment (perceived liabilities towards the university or profession), commitment based on estimate of costs (subjective estimate of costs associated with potential change of the university or profession). It shows that there are no reasons for a conflict between commitment to the university and commitment to the profession, however different groups of teachers feature different correlation between those sets. What is the most important in differentiating between the commitments is the role of work experience in a different university. Publication activity of teachers is not related to their emotional commitment to the profession or the university, however it is related to cost estimate and the normative commitment to the university and the profession. Based on which the author concludes that Russian teachers are not encouraged with article publications, i. e. with the research activity in general as the attractive part of their job and most likely are forced to do it.
The Court Is Now in Session: Professor Discourse on Student Attrition
Authors: Terentev Evgeniy , Gruzdev Ivan , Gorbunova Elena
Published: July 2015

A discourse analysis of semi-structured interviews with professors of 9 Russian universities has been conducted. The analysis focused on the narratives about student attrition and its causes and revealed the generally accusing nature of professors’ discourses. All narratives can be integrated and described under the metaphor of a trial. In the most blatant form, the discourse is constructed in a prosecutor style, but attorney- and judge-like speeches also blame students for the high attrition rates. All the three types of discourse build figurative barriers between the university and professors on the one hand and students on the other. These barriers encourage professors to feel uninvolved in student attrition. None of the discourse types phrased the university mission or problematized the principles and goals of university activities. We suggest that the “bad student” discourse reflects some real problems associated with massification of education and with inevitable changes to the student body. Professor discourse analysis makes it possible to assume that response to these changes is restricted to stating the problems and disassociating oneself from them. Construction of figurative barriers may result in professors’ self-distancing not only from students but also from the changes affecting the education system. Such self-distancing complicates the process of adaptation to changes, making it poorly controllable.
Ethnic Composition and Migration Status of Primary and Secondary School Students in Russia
Authors: Alexandrov Daniil , Ivaniushina Valeria , Kazartseva Ekaterina
Published: July 2015

Data on ethnic diversity and ethnicity/migration correlation among primary and secondary school students is presented in the article for the first time ever. The study is based on polls held among 21,320 school students in 365 schools of five regions of Russia (Moscow Oblast, Saint Petersburg, Leningrad Oblast, Tomsk, and Pskov). The most part of students speaking Russian as their second language attend schools of Moscow suburbs area (16%) with the least part attending schools of small towns and settlements of Leningrad Oblast (6.6%) and Pskov (8.5%). The sample covers 56 ethnic groups with some being rather small. In Saint Petersburg, Pskov and Tomsk there are 63–66% locals among children speaking Russian as their first language, whereas in Moscow suburbs area there are 44% only. Among ethnic minorities, the highest numbers of locals are in Tomsk and Pskov (38–39%). In Saint Petersburg there are more locals or second generation migrants among Ukrainians, Belarusians and Tatars, whereas “generation 1.5” migrants prevail in number among Tadzhiks and Uzbeks (46–49%). Generation 1.5 migrants prevail among all ethnic groups in Moscow suburbs area with Uzbeks and Tadzhiks being the most prevailing (62%). In Tomsk, most of the ethnic minorities’ representatives are either locals or second-generation migrants. Statistics on ethnic and migration status of school students allows for assessment not only of the scale of migration flows but also of a retrospective time dynamics for various ethnic groups. Families from Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia were actively moving to Russia 15–20 years ago. Now there is massive migration going on among Tadzhiks, Uzbeks and Kyrgyz who bring their children of various ages. We believe that education management authorities should initiate prudent integration of school students with Russian as their second language irrelevant of their citizenship but with consideration of their families’ migration background.
“Congratulations! You Are Now the Happy Owner of a University”. Review of the book: H. Rosovsky (2015) Universitet: Rukovodstvo dlya vladeltsa [The University: An Owner’s Manual]. Moscow: HSE.
Authors: Chirikov Igor
Published: July 2015

Having worked as the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University for a long time, Henry Rosovsky summarizes his experience and suggests a “university owner’s manual” to be studied by students, teachers, administrators, and the public. Being mostly a journalistic style and ironic, the book however addresses the fundamental aspects of life in modern universities. The review singles out four principal storylines that are being analyzed through the lens of the current trends and empirical data about Russian higher education. Those are issues of 1) using objective vs. subjective criteria in admission of students; 2) focusing on general vs.specialized education; 3) choosing between teaching-oriented and research-oriented faculty; 4) bringing in professional or academic administrators to run the university. Despite the fact that the book was written over 25 years ago and is devoted to Harvard, Rosovsky’s ideas are still important. His strong belief in the necessity to develop a collective responsibility of students, teachers and administrators for the life and the future of a university is timely for Russian higher education.
Education System Openness: Governmental Policy Efficiency Issues
Authors: Mertsalova Tatyana
Published: July 2015

Based on results of a series of studies in the area of information demand and supply that have been shaping within the Russian education system in the last 3–5 years (monitoring studies covering the population of the most part of Russia as well as community polls among parents and teachers) it has been discovered that the education system openness has been growing and is approaching 100% with education running ahead of other social services. The author is raising a question, whether it is possible to judge the efficiency of information supply based on numbers reflecting the extent of filling information resources with content, and whether it is possible to complete the development work in that area having reached peak values. The system of informational openness of Russian education unlike business area shall be considered three-sided rather than two-sided with the third and the most active side being the government. The situation with informational openness in Russian education can be described as an extensive development of information resources being performed mostly under the influence of governmental regulatory control. Having said that, the development efficiency study even as a part of a task set by the government gives reasons for considering it as the one not being sufficiently efficient.
Gender Analysis of Agricultural Innovation and Decision Making among Rice Farming Household in Nigeria
Authors: Ajewole Oluwafemi Olajide , Ayinde Opeyemi Eyitayo , Ojehomon Vivian E. Titilayo , Agboh-Noameshie Rita Affiavi , Diagne Aliou A
Published: July 2015

Rice importance in food security and contribution to Nigeria economy cannot be overlooked, rice is produced in Nigeria but productivity increase has been a challenge due to many factors. Actors involved in the production process include women who are faced with formidable obstacles. This research analyze agricultural innovation, constraints faced by male and female rice farming households and decision making among rice farming household in Nigeria rice hub. A 3-stage stratified random sampling procedure were used, descriptive statistics, Ordinal Ranking, Least Significant Difference and Women empowerment index were the tool of analysis. The study showed that 23.81% of the respondents are female-headed and 76.19% are male-headed; more than half of the women (54.29%) are without formal education as compared to men (25.89%). Only 13.39% and 8.57% of the male and female headed household use rice innovation; access to credit, high cost of input and poor soil fertility are the major constraints; women empowerment results showed 76.60% of decision is made by solely by male head, 7.80% is made by female and 7.09% of decisions are jointly made. The study recommends that; innovation usage should be advocated, subsidy should be intensified and gender consideration in decision making be made a priority.
Attitude of crop farmers towards e-wallet platform of the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme for input delivery in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo state
Authors: Fadairo O. S. , Olutegbe Nathaniel S. , Tijani Adewale M
Published: July 2015

E-wallet-powered Growth Enhancement Support Scheme was designed by the Nigerian Government to facilitate and improve farmers’ prompt access to agricultural information and input services. An assessment of the pilot phase of the scheme becomes necessary for an effective implementation. The study therefore assessed the attitude of crop farmers towards the e-wallet platform of the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme. A total of 120 crop farmers across the study area were sampled through a simple random sampling method. Data were collected through a well-structured interview schedule, and analysed using percentages, PPMC and Chi-square. Farmers’ mean age was 47 years. Majority were males, married and have an average of 15 years farming experience. Maize and cassava were the most grown crops. Majority indicated non commitment of the ADP and long distance to redemption centre as major constraints to use of e-wallet. More than half had favourable attitude towards the e-wallet platform of the Scheme. There is significant relationship between the years of farming and educational level with farmers’ attitude towards the e-wallet. Constraints faced also had negative influence on attitude to the scheme. Establishment of more redemption centres to stop the rigor of long queues and reduce long distance covered before accessing the centres will make prompt access to information targeted by e-wallet achieve desired end.
Suitability of Current and Future Conditions to Apiculture in Egypt using Geographical Information System
Authors: Abou-Shaara Hossam
Published: July 2015

Apiculture is currently considered as an important economic activity in Egypt. Most agricultural areas in Egypt are located close to Nile river as well as apicultural activities. Recently, various desert areas have been widely reclaimed and inhabited. In this study, the land suitability to apiculture in Egypt, either cultivated or desert areas, was investigated using geographical information system (GIS), under current and future conditions (2070). Two maps were extracted from the spatial analysis; one map for current conditions and the second one for future conditions. The study shows that most Egypt is suitable for apiculture but the more suitable areas are restricted to specific locations. In the future, land suitability was found to be impacted by future conditions, mainly thermal stress. Upper Egypt will be greatly impacted than the middle or north Egypt. Apiaries relocation is advisable especially at upper Egypt when necessary during 2070. It could be expected that apiculture could be practiced widely throughout Egypt currently and in the future as well, and in reclaimed lands. The spatial analysis was done using the major factors that could impact beekeeping; namely, maximum and minimum temperatures, precipitation, slope, land type, and distance from plants.
Blood flow in cerebral arteries – automated way from Computed Tomography to ANSYS Fluent
Authors: Bodys Jakub , Poraj Jakub , Kryś Maciej
Published: July 2015

With the constant growth of computer simulation significance in science and engi-neering, many new fields are gaining access to these powerful tools. One of these new disciplines is medicine. Human body provides many fascinating areas that could be researched from completely different angle and could gain all the benefits that computer simulation offers. For example blood flow in human arteries can be stud-ied using Computational Fluid Dynamics. Researchers of cerebrovascular disorders can get an insight view on physical phenomena of blood flow and study risk factors of embolism or cerebral aneurysm.

Main issue in using computer simulation in medical research is the complexity and uniqueness of geometry that needs to be handled. After all, human body is one of the most sophisticated engineering systems created by nature. In this paper, a workflow for creating a numerical mesh for CFD simulation purposes is shown. Application shown in the example focus on cerebral arteries blood flow simulation. Numerical mesh is generated based on CT scan of patient’s head, using freeware tools Slicer3D and AutoIt3 as well as commercial software ANSYS Fluent Meshing 15.0.
Expanding Knowledge Concerning the Safe at Home Instrument for Assessing Readiness to Change Among Individuals in Batterer Treatment
Authors: Sielski Christine L. , Begun Audrey L. , Hamel John
Published: July 2015

The Revised Safe at Home instrument (Begun et al., 2008) is based on application of the transtheoretical model of behavior change (TMBC) and offers clinicians and clients an assessment tool to measure client readiness for changing intimate partner violence (IPV) behaviors. Scale scores from this tool can be used to assess client readiness to change and evaluate treatment program outcomes. The purposes of this study are to relate patterns in scale scores with those obtained in previous studies, across the treatment cycle, and for women as well as men. This cross-sectional study engaged 246 participants from 6 IPV batterer treatment programs. Analyses consisted of computing scale totals and means for 5 scales (precontemplation, contemplation, preparation/action, maintenance, and overall readiness), comparing scores for men and women, and drawing comparisons with reports at treatment intake only (Begun et al., 2008; Begun et al., 2003). Findings indicated similar scores on precontemplation and contemplation but significantly higher scores on preparation/action, maintenance, and overall readiness compared to the previous study. No differences related to phase of treatment and no gender differences were significant. The potential impact of self- versus clinical interview administration of the instrument is discussed, along with additional implications for clinical practice and directions for future research using this instrument.
The Outcomes and Process Improvement Project: Batterers’ Intervention Program Evaluation Comparing English-Language and Spanish-Language Offenders
Authors: Trebow Elizabeth A. , Berkanovic Emil , Harada Priscilla U.
Published: July 2015

This study was a longitudinal, naturalistic comparison of treatment completion and reoffense rates for two groups of offenders convicted of domestic violence (DV): Seventy-five men attending Spanish-language classes and 75 men attending English-language classes. Participant-specific background and psychosocial information, as well as alcohol and drug use, were assessed for influencing program success and DV reoffense. Overall, men who completed DV classes were less likely to reoffend than those who did not. Men in the Spanish-language group had better outcomes than men in the English-language group. In addition, substance use, timing of probation violations, employment, court re-referrals to DV classes, and previous DV convictions all had an impact on rate of class completion and/or reoffense. Psychosocial variables did not appear to influence outcomes.