bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Nordmann, Dortet, and Poirel test for the identification of extended spectrum betalactamase production among urinary isolates of Escherichia coli
Authors: Deepa R. , Ravichandran Mythry , Banu S. Thasneem , Sharmila R.
Published: September 2017

CONTEXT: Current phenotypic techniques for extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) detection can be interpreted after 24 h of incubation only, resulting in a delay in initiating therapy. Nordmann, Dortet, and Poirel (NDP) in 2012 proposed a novel test named ESBL NDP to overcome this limitation.

AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the ESBL NDP test for the identification of ESBL among Escherichia coli isolates against the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute-recommended phenotypic confirmatory method.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 3 months on a sample size of 100.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred nonduplicate clinically significant E. coli urinary isolates positive by initial screening test for ESBL were subjected to the ESBL NDP test and phenotypic confirmatory test. The NDP test was evaluated by determining the sensitivity, specificity, kappa value, and confidence interval (CI) for kappa.

RESULTS: The phenotypic confirmatory test and the ESBL NDP test were positive in 82% and 63% of the isolates, respectively. ESBL NDP test had a sensitivity and specificity of 76% and 100%, positive and negative predictive values of 100% and 48%, respectively, kappa value of 0.54 (moderate agreement), and 95% CI for kappa of 0.43–0.66. The time to positivity was 1 h in 93.6% of the isolates.

CONCLUSION: The NDP test showed a good specificity, with time to positivity of 1 h. The low sensitivity could be due to the difference in the phenotypic type of ESBL producer and technical reasons.
Use of culture- and ELISA-based toxin assay for detecting Clostridium difficile, a neglected pathogen: A single-center study from a tertiary care setting
Authors: Lall Sujata , Nataraj Gita , Mehta Preeti
Published: September 2017

INTRODUCTION: Clostridium difficile is a Gram-positive spore-bearing anaerobic bacillus increasingly associated with both community- and hospital-acquired colitis and diarrhea. It is the most common identifiable bacterial cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea associated with antibiotic use and one of the most common anaerobic infections. The diagnosis of C. difficile infection includes detection of toxin A/B in stool specimens by direct enzyme immunoassay, culture of pathogen from the stool specimens using a selective agar Cycloserine-Cefoxitin fructose agar (CCFA), tissue culture assay, and detection of glutamate dehydrogenase an enzyme produced by C. difficile. With few reports from India on this disease, the present study was planned to throw more light on the prevalence and utility of laboratory diagnostic methods for C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: After taking approval from the Ethics Committee, 150 patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhea were taken as a study group and fifty patients with exposure to antibiotics but who did not develop diarrhea were taken as controls. Stool specimen was processed for both culture on CCFA and toxin detection by IVD Tox A + B ELISA.

RESULTS: Only four specimens were culture positive, whereas 13 were ELISA positive. All culturepositive isolates were toxigenic. C. difficile was neither isolated nor its toxin detected in the control group. Culture- and toxin-based assays may not detect all cases of CDAD.

CONCLUSION: Based on the results of the present study, culture does not provide any additional yield over toxin assay. Better diagnostic modalities would be required to prove CDAD.
Hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis with diabetic ketoacidosis: A rare presentation of type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Kumar Prabhat , Sakwariya Abhishek , Sultania Amit Ranjan , Dabas Renu
Published: September 2017

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a frequently encountered complication of diabetes mellitus. DKA is an insulin deficit state and results in moderate to severe hypertriglyceridemia (HTG). HTG is the third leading cause of acute pancreatitis (AP) and often goes unnoticed. The triad of DKA, HTG, and AP is rarely seen, and literature on the same is sparse. We report a case of AP which was due to DKA-induced secondary HTG in an adult with previously undiagnosed type 1 diabetes. His HbA1c was significantly raised, and C-peptide level was low, confirming chronic hyperglycemia. He was treated successfully with insulin infusion, intravenous crystalloid, and analgesics.
Vascular parkinsonism and vascular dementia are associated with an increased risk of vascular events or death
Authors: Staszewski Jacek , Piusińska-Macoch Renata , Brodacki Bogdan , Skrobowska Ewa , Macek Katarzyna , Stępień Adam
Published: September 2017

Introduction: The natural course of vascular parkinsonism (VaP) and dementia (VaD) due to cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is not well known. The aim of this single-center study was to evaluate the long-term risk of vascular events, death and dependency in patients with VaP or VaD and to compare it with patients without cerebrovascular disease but with high atherothrombotic risk.

Material and methods: Seventy-eight consecutive, functionally independent patients with MRI features of SVD and with recently diagnosed VaD (n = 50) and VaP (n = 28) and 55 controls (control group – CG) with high 10-year risk of total cardiovascular disease (SCORE ≥ 5%) were prospectively recruited and followed for 24 months.

Results:  Patients with SVD had lower prevalence of coronary artery disease compared with the CG (20.5% vs. 40%; p = 0.02) but similar prevalence of other atherothrombotic risk factors including mean age (73.7 ±7.3 vs. 72 ±5.9 years, p = 0.09). All outcomes were worse in SVD patients than controls. Thirty-one percent of SVD patients (34% of VaD vs. 25% of VaP, p = 0.45) experienced vascular events or died compared to 6% of controls (p < 0.01). After adjustments for potential confounders (age, sex, vascular risk factors), patients with VaP (HR = 7.5; 95% CI: 1.6–33; p < 0.01) and VaD (HR = 8.7; 95% CI: 2.1–35; p < 0.01) had higher risk of vascular events or death and death or dependency (respectively; HR = 3.9; 95% CI: 0.83–18.8; p = 0.07 and HR = 4.7, 95% CI: 1.1–19.7; p = 0.03).

Conclusions: Patients with VaP or VaD due to SVD had significantly higher risk of vascular events, death and dependency compared to controls with high cardiovascular risk and without cerebrovascular disease.
Work addiction in Poland: adaptation of the Bergen Work Addiction Scale and relationship with psychopathology
Authors: Atroszko Paweł Andrzej , Pallesen Ståle , Griffiths Mark D. , Andreassen Cecilie Schou
Published: September 2017

Background

Work addiction has been recognized as a potential behavioral addiction, and studies have consistently shown its negative relationship with psychosocial functioning. However, in many countries, such as Poland, very few work addiction studies are based on measures developed using an addiction framework. Against this backdrop, the Bergen Work Addiction Scale (BWAS) was adapted for use in Polish samples and its relationship with psychopathology was investigated.

Participants and procedure

In a pen-and-pencil cross sectional study, the BWAS, the Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Scale, the Mini-International Personality Item Pool, and questions concerning demographic, health and work-related variables were administered to 723 Polish employees from various professions. Their mean age was 36.37 years (SD = 11.33, range = 20-79).

Results

Support for a one-factor solution for the BWAS was found and the BWAS demonstrated good reliability (α = .84). Work addiction was significantly related to specific aspects of work (longer working time and managerial positions), personality traits (higher neuroticism), and psychopathology (depression and attention deficit hyperactivity). The prevalence of work addiction using the BWAS was 17.4% in the present sample.

Conclusions

The Polish BWAS has good psychometric properties and is a suitable scale for the assessment of work addiction based on the findings of the present study.
Bone regenerative effect of aqueous Cynanchum wilfordii extract in receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand-induced osteoclast differentiation and estrogen deficiency-induced osteoporosis
Authors: Jun Woojin , Choi Chul-yung , Lee Gyuok , Pan SangO , Kim Jaeyong
Published: September 2017

Osteoporosis increases with age, most frequently in postmenopausal women because of reduced ovarian hormone levels. Furthermore, estrogen deficiency impairs trabecular metaphyseal bone. Although efficacious, long-term hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has estrogen-like side effects including breast and endometrial cancers, and non-hormonal or herbal therapies may be safer alternatives. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aqueous extracts of Cynanchum wilfordii (CWW) on receptor activator of nuclear factor-κ B (NF-κ B) ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation in vitro and ovariectomy-mediated osteoporosis in vivo. CWW inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast formation and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity in primary mouse bone marrow-derived cells. We investigated the osteoprotective effect of CWW in an ovariectomized (OVX) Sprague-Dawley rat model treated with vehicle (OVX/vehicle), 17β-estradiol (OVX/E2), or three CWW doses (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg). After a 24-week treatment, the body and uterus weights were not affected except in the OVX/E2 group. Additionally, bone mineral density (BMD) and histological analyses showed that the BMD of the femurs of CWW400-treated rats was significantly higher than that of the OVX/vehicle rats, and comparable to that of the OVX/E2 group rats. Serum levels of bone turnover markers alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin, collagen type I C-telopeptide, and TRAP significantly decreased in the CWW400 group. Our results show that compared to the vehicle, CWW had a significant anti-osteoporotic effect in the OVX model. Taken together, CWW exhibited inhibitory effects on osteoclastogenesis in vitro, and we confirmed its in vivo efficacy in the prevention of osteoporosis.
A Study on the Ethanolic Extracts of Red Seaweed- Gracilaria corticata (J.Agardh) J. Agardh, to Assess the Antiproliferative Activity and Morphological Characterization of Apoptosis on HeLa Cell lines
Authors: S Ashwini , Shantaram Manjula
Published: September 2017

Marine algae are excellent source of bioactive compounds that can be used as an alternative source for finding novel anti-cancer molecules. Gracilaria corticata, red algae from Surathkal beach, Karnataka were studied for their anti-proliferative activities and their morphological characterization on HeLa cells were assessed. Cytotoxicity of the algal ethanolic extracts on HeLa cells were assayed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction method. Morphological assessment was done by examinations with Hoechst staining and acid vacuoles were determined using acridine orange. Induction of apoptosis was studied using caspase activity. Based on IC50value, further morphological assessment was carried out and apoptosis was confirmed using Hoechst 33342 staining and acridine orange staining respectively. Treated cells became round with blebbings with condensed nuclei. Acidic lysosomal vacuoles formation occurred in treated cells. These red algae were able to suppress proliferation and promote apoptosis-- mediated cell death with induction of initial stages of apoptosis in HeLa cell lines. Thus, this seaweed can be a potent candidate for isolating new green drug anticancer molecules. However, further characterization at the molecular and structural levels are required.
Cordia macleodii Hook f. Thomson-A potential Medicinal Plant
Authors: Chandrakar Jagriti , Dixit A K
Published: September 2017

Cordia macleodii Hook. f. & Thoms. belongs to family Boraginaceae, is an  endangered medicinal plant, commonly known as “Dahiman” or “Dahipalas”. It is distributed in moist and dry deciduous forests of India such as Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chotanagpur and is widely used to cure various diseases. These bioactive compounds made this plant as a valuable potent herbal drug. It contains various bioactive compounds including Phenols, Terpenoids, Saponins, Volatile oils, Flavonoids, Glycosides etc. This review presents the pharmacological property, phytochemical constituents, traditional uses and biological activities of the plant and it will be helpful to explore the knowledge about Cordia macleodii.
Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory effect of Yograj Guggul: an in vitro study
Authors: Bhalerao Supriya , Munshi Renuka , Joshi Samidha
Published: September 2017

Yograj Guggul (YG) is a poly-herbal formulation extensively used by Ayurvedic practitioners to treat inflammatory conditions. However there are no reports evaluating its effect on the various enzymes involved in the inflammatory pathway. Hence the present was carried out to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of YG, on inhibition of Cyclooxygenase (COX) - 1 & 2 and 5-Lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymes in vitro. Three concentrations (25, 50 and 100µg/ml) of the aqueous extract of YG were studied on the inhibition of COX 1 & 2 and 5-LOX enzymes by Enzyme Immuno Assay (EIA). Aspirin was used as a positive control at concentration corresponding to its anti-inflammatory human dose (100µg/ml).YG exhibited maximum inhibition of both COX-1 &COX-2 enzymes at 100µg/ml that was comparable to aspirin. Interestingly, YG showed a dose dependent increase in percentage inhibition of 5-LOX enzyme with maximum effect at 100µg/ml which was significantly higher than that exhibited by aspirin. YG inhibits both COX enzymes indicating its potential as an anti-inflammatory agent. The 5-LOX inhibitory activity exhibited by YG provides a lead to explore its role further as a dual inhibitor of COX/5-LOX pathways and also to investigate its role to treat inflammatory respiratory disorders.
The role of the winter residual circulation in the summer mesopause
regions in WACCM
Authors: Kuilman Maartje Sanne , Karlsson Bodil
Published: September 2017

Abstract. High winter planetary wave activity warms the summer polar mesopause via a link between the two hemispheres. In a recent study carried out with the Kühlungsborn Mechanistic general Circulation Model (KMCM), it was shown that the net effect of this interhemispheric coupling mechanism is a cooling of the summer polar mesospheres and that this temperature response is tied to the strength of the gravity wave-driven winter mesospheric flow. We here reconfirm the hypothesis that the summer polar mesosphere would be substantially warmer without the circulation in the winter mesosphere, using the widely-used Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM). In addition, the role of the stratosphere in shaping the conditions of the summer polar mesosphere is investigated. Using composite analysis, we show that if winter gravity waves are absent, a weak stratospheric Brewer-Dobson circulation would lead to a warming of the summer mesosphere region instead of a cooling, and vice versa. This is opposing the temperature signal of the interhemispheric coupling in the mesosphere, in which a cold winter stratosphere goes together with a cold summer mesopause. We hereby strengthen the evidence that the equatorial mesospheric temperature response, driven by the winter gravity waves, is a crucial step in the interhemispheric coupling mechanism.
Accumulation of soil organic C and N in planted forests fostered by tree species mixture
Authors: Liu Yan , Lei Pifeng , Xiang Wenhua , Yan Wende , Chen Xiaoyong
Published: September 2017

Abstract. With the increasing trend of converting monocultures into mixed forests, more and more studies have been carried out to investigate the admixing effects on tree growth and aboveground carbon storage. However, few studies have considered the impact of mixed forests on belowground carbon sequestration, particularly changes in soil carbon and nitrogen stocks as a forest grows. In this study, paired pure Pinus massoniana plantations, Cinnamomum camphora plantations and mixed Pinus massoniana–Cinnamomum camphora plantations at ages of 10, 24 and 45 years were selected to test whether the mixed plantations sequestrate more organic carbon (OC) and nitrogen (N) in soils and whether this admixing effect becomes more pronounced with stand ages. The results showed that tree species identification, composition and stand age significantly affected soil OC and N stocks. The soil OC and N stocks were the highest in mixed Pinus–Cinnamomum stands compared to those in counterpart monocultures with the same age in the whole soil profile or specific soil depth layers (0–10, 10–20 and 20–30 cm) for most cases, followed by Cinnamomum stands and Pinus stands with the lowest. These positive admixing effects were mostly nonadditive. Along the chronosequence, the soil OC stock peaked in the 24-year-old stand and was maintained as relatively stable thereafter. The admixing effects were also the highest at this stage. However, in the topsoil layer, the admixing effects increased with stand ages in terms of soil OC stocks. When comparing mixed Pinus–Cinnamomum plantations with corresponding monocultures within the same age, the soil N stock in mixed stands was 8.30, 11.17 and 31.45 % higher than the predicted mean value estimated from counterpart pure species plantations in 10-, 24- and 45-year-old stands, respectively. This suggests that these admixing effects were more pronounced along the chronosequence.
Historic global biomass burning emissions for CMIP6 (BB4CMIP) based on merging satellite observations with proxies and fire models (1750–2015)
Authors: van Marle Margreet J. E. , Kloster Silvia , Magi Brian I. , Marlon Jennifer R. , Daniau Anne-Laure , Field Robert D. , Arneth Almut , Forrest Matthew , Hantson Stijn , Kehrwald Natalie M. , Knorr Wolfgang , Lasslop Gitta , Li Fang , Mangeon Stéphane , Yue Chao , Kaiser Johannes W. , van der Werf Guido R.
Published: September 2017

Abstract. Fires have influenced atmospheric composition and climate since the rise of vascular plants, and satellite data have shown the overall global extent of fires. Our knowledge of historic fire emissions has progressively improved over the past decades due mostly to the development of new proxies and the improvement of fire models. Currently, there is a suite of proxies including sedimentary charcoal records, measurements of fire-emitted trace gases and black carbon stored in ice and firn, and visibility observations. These proxies provide opportunities to extrapolate emission estimates back in time based on satellite data starting in 1997, but each proxy has strengths and weaknesses regarding, for example, the spatial and temporal extents over which they are representative. We developed a new historic biomass burning emissions dataset starting in 1750 that merges the satellite record with several existing proxies and uses the average of six models from the Fire Model Intercomparison Project (FireMIP) protocol to estimate emissions when the available proxies had limited coverage. According to our approach, global biomass burning emissions were relatively constant, with 10-year averages varying between 1.8 and 2.3 Pg C yr−1. Carbon emissions increased only slightly over the full time period and peaked during the 1990s after which they decreased gradually. There is substantial uncertainty in these estimates, and patterns varied depending on choices regarding data representation, especially on regional scales. The observed pattern in fire carbon emissions is for a large part driven by African fires, which accounted for 58 % of global fire carbon emissions. African fire emissions declined since about 1950 due to conversion of savanna to cropland, and this decrease is partially compensated for by increasing emissions in deforestation zones of South America and Asia. These global fire emission estimates are mostly suited for global analyses and will be used in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) simulations.
High-resolution ensemble projections and uncertainty assessment of regional climate change over China in CORDEX East Asia
Authors: Gu Huanghe , Yu Zhongbo , Yang Chuanguo , Ju Qin , Yang Tao
Published: September 2017

Abstract. An ensemble simulation of 5 regional climate models (RCMs) from the Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment in East Asia (CORDEX-East Asia) was evaluated and used for future regional climate change projection in China. Meanwhile, the contributions of model uncertainty and internal variability are identified. The RCMs simulated both the historical climate (1989–2008) and future climate projection (2030–2049) under the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) RCP4.5 scenario. We highlighted 5 subregions in China, viz. Northeast China, North China, South China, Northwest China, and Tibetan Plateau. Our results showed that the capability of RCMs to capture the climatology, annual cycle and inter-annual variability of temperature and precipitation and multi-model ensemble outperforms the individual RCM. For the future climate, consistent warming trends around 1 °C were indicated by multi-model ensemble over the whole domain and more pronounced warming was projected in northern and western China. The annual precipitation is likely to increase in most of the simulation region, except the Tibetan Plateau which decreases −7.8 %. Compare with the similar seasonal temperature changes with the driving global climate model (GCM), the seasonal precipitation change shows significant inter-RCM difference and has larger magnitude and variability than driving GCM. The model uncertainty for future temperature projection is clearly dominant over the northeast, northwest China and Tibetan Plateau, reaching up to 70 %, and it contribute about 40 % of the total uncertainty over north and south China. For precipitation, the internal variability is dominant over most regions except for the Tibetan Plateau which the model uncertainties reach up to 60 %. In addition, the model uncertainty increases with prediction lead time over all subregions.
Developing fragility functions for aquaculture rafts and eelgrass in the case of the 2011 Great East Japan tsunami
Authors: Suppasri Anawat , Fukui Kentaro , Yamashita Kei , Leelawat Natt , Ohira Hiroyuki , Imamura Fumihiko
Published: September 2017

Abstract. Since the two devastating tsunamis in 2004 (Indian Ocean) and 2011 (Great East Japan), new findings have emerged on the relationship between tsunami characteristics and damage in terms of fragility functions. Human loss and damage to buildings and infrastructures are the primary target of recovery and reconstruction; thus, such relationships for offshore properties and marine ecosystems remain unclear. To overcome this lack of knowledge, this study used the available data from two possible target areas (Mangokuura Lake and Matsushima Bay) from the 2011 Japan tsunami. This study has three main components: 1) reproduction of the 2011 tsunami, 2) damage investigation and 3) fragility function development. First, the source models of the 2011 tsunami were verified and adjusted to reproduce the tsunami characteristics in the target areas. Second, the damage ratio of the aquaculture raft and eelgrass was investigated using satellite images taken before and after the 2011 tsunami through visual inspection and binarization. Third, the tsunami fragility functions were developed using the relationship between the simulated tsunami characteristics and the estimated damage ratio. Based on the statistical analysis results, fragility functions were developed for Mangokuura Lake, and the flow velocity was the main contributor to the damage instead of the wave amplitude. For example, the damage ratio above 0.9 was found to be equal to the maximum flow velocities of 1.3 m/s (aquaculture raft) and 3.0 m/s (eelgrass) This finding is consistent with the previously proposed damage criterion of 1 m/s for the aquaculture raft. This study is the first step in the development of damage assessment and planning for marine products and environmental factors to mitigate the effects of future tsunamis.
Hydrometeorological conditions preceding wildfire, and the subsequent burning of a fen watershed in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada
Authors: Elmes Matthew C. , Thompson Dan K. , Sherwood James H. , Price Jon S.
Published: September 2017

Abstract. The destructive nature of the ~ 590,000 ha Horse River Wildfire in the Western Boreal Plain (WBP), northern Alberta in May of 2016 motivated the investigation of the hydrometeorological conditions that preceded the fire. Historical climate and field hydrometeorological data from a moderate-rich fen watershed were used to identify a) whether the spring 2016 conditions were outside the range of natural variability for WBP climate cycles; b) explain the observed patterns in burn severity across the watershed; and c) identify whether fall and winter moisture signals observed in peatlands and lowland forests in the region are indicative of fire susceptibility. Field hydrometeorological data from the fen watershed confirmed the presence of cumulative moisture deficits prior to the fire. Hydrogeological investigations highlighted the susceptibility of fen and upland areas to water table and soil moisture decline over rain-free periods (including winter), due to the watershed's reliance on supply from localized flow systems originating in topographic highs. Subtle changes in topographic position led to large changes in groundwater connectivity, leading to greater organic soil consumption in wetland margins and at high elevations. The 2016 spring moisture conditions measured prior to the ignition of the fen watershed were not illustrated well by the Drought Code (DC) when standard overwintering procedures were applied. However, close agreement was found when default assumptions were replaced with measured duff soil moisture recharge and incorporated into the overwintering DC procedure. We conclude that accumulated moisture deficits dating back to the summer of 2015 led to the dry conditions that preceded the fire. The infrequent coinciding of several hydrometeorological conditions, including low autumn soil moisture, a modest snowpack, lack of spring precipitation, and high spring air temperatures and winds, ultimately led to the Horse River wildfire spreading widely and causing observed burn patterns. Monitoring soil moisture at different land classes and watersheds would aid management strategies in the production of more accurate overwintered DC calculations, providing fire management agencies early warning signals ahead of severe spring wildfire seasons.
A Systematic Study of the Fracturing of Ronne - Filchner Ice Shelf, Antarctica,
Using Multisource Satellite Data from 2001 to 2016
Authors: Li Rongxing , Xiao Haifeng , Liu Shijie , Tong Xiaohua
Published: September 2017

Abstract. We propose a new framework of systematic fracture mapping and major calving event prediction for the large ice shelves in Antarctica using multisource satellite data, including optical imagery, SAR imagery, altimetric data, and stereo mapping imagery. The new framework is implemented and applied for a comprehensive study of the fracturing of Ronne-Filchner Ice Shelf (RFIS), the second largest ice shelf in Antarctica, using a long time dataset dating back to 1957. New remote sensing data that have been made available in the past decade, including Landsat 8, WV-2, ZY-3 and others, greatly enhance our abilities to detect new fractures and monitor large rifts in three dimensions. Two large rifts, Rifts 1 and 2, were newly detected and are comparable to the Grand Chasm that caused a major calving event in the region in 1986. Three-dimensional rift models generated from quasi real-time stereo ZY-3 images revealed important topographic information about the large rifts that can be used to improve the reliability of ice shelf modeling and support enhanced analyses of ice shelf stability. Based on the results of the 2D and 3D fracture mapping, the spatial and temporal analyses of the overall fracture changes and large rift evolutions, i.e., the level of fracturing in RFIS, were slightly increased, particularly at the front of the ice sheet. The overall fracture observations do not seem to suggest immediate significant impacts on the stability of the shelf. However, the most active regional fracturing activities occurred at the front of Filchner Ice Shelf (FIS). A potential upcoming major calving event of FIS is estimated to occur in 2051. The stability of the ice shelf, particularly with regard to the developments of Rifts 1 and 2, should be closely monitored.
Desarrollo de un Instituto supranacional para la salvaguarda de los archivos y colecciones audiovisuales para América Latina y el
Authors: Caldera-Serrano Jorge
Published: September 2017

Se presenta el trabajo que identifica los principales elementos para la creación del Instituto Latinoamericano y Caribeño del Patrimonio Audiovisual, proyecto presentado a la UNESCO con el fin de implementar una institución que sirva de herramienta para la salvaguarda de los principales contenidos de las colecciones audiovisuales de la Región. Se identifica la oportunidad, la necesidad así como la estructura, organización y principales objetivos del Instituto. Igualmente se identifican algunas instituciones supranacionales que podrían financiar y mantener en el tiempo una institución que cuenta con la finalidad de preservar la Memoria y Patrimonio Audiovisual de los países iberoamericanos. El objetivo por tanto es identificar las características de una institución para la preservación de las colecciones audiovisuales y sonoras que están en peligro en la región latinoamericana.
“ENCONTRANDO CAMINHOS” NA CARTOGRAFIA SETECENTISTA
Authors: Sodré Maluly Vinicius
Published: September 2017

O estudo da circulação territorial, para a pesquisa brasileira dedicada ao século XVIII, pode nortear o entendimento e a visualização da formação territorial que foi paulatinamente produzida a partir das extrações auríferas. Elas possibilitaram um fluxo demográfico e econômico que consolidou a presença brasileira além da fronteira impetrada pelo Tratado de Tordesilhas (1494), formando continuadas feições de urbanização que desencadearam uma rede urbana incipiente, alterando as características do processo colonizador português. Dessa miríade de facetas do século do ouro, as estradas e caminhos surgem como emblemas da espacialização ocorrida à época. Será problematizada a atividade das estradas e caminhos em detrimento de uma passividade técnica, superando uma função de mera interconexão entre arraiais e vilas, com ênfase na socioespacialidade dos fenômenos. Portanto, a relevância apresentada por uma abordagem de método geohistórico será destacada (por meio da leitura de mapas históricos e tratamento das fontes primárias a partir de ferramentas de geoprocessamento), oferecendo uma releitura aos métodos tradicionais da historiografia colonial brasileira.  Palavras-chave: Geografia Histórica, SIG, cartografia colonial, século XVIII.
OS LIMITES DA INVERSÃO: A HETEROTOPIA DO BECO DO BATMAN, SÃO PAULO
Authors: Ramos Hospodar Felippe Valverde Rodrigo
Published: September 2017

O Beco do Batman é uma área reconhecida mundialmente pelos grafites que tomam os muros da rua Gonçalo Afonso, na cidade de São Paulo. O seu surgimento esteve associado às mudanças no espaço urbano, sobretudo com os novos agentes e valores associados ao bairro da Vila Madalena, a partir da década de 1970. Nosso objetivo é interpretar o surgimento e os significados do Beco do Batman por intermédio da noção de heterotopia, tal qual esta foi introduzida por Foucault (2001). Acreditamos que os grafites ali encontrados não são produto de uma identidade e que, ao menos durante certo tempo, foram definidos por uma necessidade marginal que foi desenvolvida por práticas competitivas superpostas em uma mesma estrutura espacial. Palavras-chave: Heterotopia, Beco do Batman, espaço público, grafite, São Paulo.
College Major and Modern Racism: A Matter of Moral Hypocrisy?
Authors: Oxendine David Bryan
Published: September 2017

Research has demonstrated a relationship between gender, race, and modern racism. Recent studies have revealed this relationship exists in college business majors as well as in the world of business. Moral hypocrisy appears as a possible explanation of why apparently normal moral individuals at times, do behave in a less than moral manner when their self-interests are threatened. This paper explores how self-interest often overpowers moral integrity.
The Effect of Difference of Visual Stimuli in Photo Sharing Websites (Instagram) on Cognitive Achievement for Secondary Students in the Curriculum of Computer and Information Technology
Authors: Al.harbi Hussain Hadi
Published: September 2017

The study aims to clarify the effect of the difference of visual stimuli in Photo Sharing websites (Instagram) on cognitive achievement for secondary education students in computer and information technology curriculum through the answer of the following question: What is the effect different visual stimuli in PSW (Instagram) on the cognitive achievement for secondary education students in the computer and information technology curriculum? To answer this question, two different accounts in Instagram were signed up: the first account's subject was visual stimuli (Real Visual Stimuli) and the second's was visual stimuli (Graphical Visual Stimuli). The sample was (60) students of Al-Hateem Secondary School in Jeddah. The sample has been divided into two homogeneous groups. The first has been taught using RVS, and the second has been taught using GVS. A research tool (achievement test) has been applied for the experimental groups after the confirmation of validity and reliability of the achievement test.
The Modern Trends and Applications in the Development of Academic Staff in the University of Maryland & George Mason University
Authors: Asowayan Alaa A. , Ashreef Sammar Y. , Aljasser Haya S.
Published: September 2017

Several changes have occurred over the past century in the education system of Saudi Arabia. The changes have largely been associated with the fact that in the 21st century, information and communication technology is highly applied in the learning process, thereby leading to a major transformation of the process. The application of information and communication technology has also transformed interactions and rapidly changed the learning process, giving a new meaning to social interactions. Enterprises that operate in the information age enjoy information interchange, collaboration, and adoption and application of innovative tendencies and shared decision-making. Students’ demands have changed in that they no longer hope for middle-class success or application of routine skills, but they measure success in terms of ability to share, communicate and apply information to arrive at solutions to complex problems. The changing learning environment requires that the teaching staff learns new tendencies and skills that they can apply to cope with the ever-changing learner and general society expectations. Teachers’ competence at work is measured in terms of their ability to improve the power of technology in enhancing creation of new knowledge. Therefore, leaders of teacher education programs are responsible for developing sustainable programs that allow for teacher education. Training has become part of the ethics of the teaching profession, and members of the teaching staff must be ready for training throughout their profession. This paper will shed light on the training program of faculty members in two well-known universities in the United States: the University of Maryland & George Mason University, as an attempt to compare the above educational establishments with the conditions of training of faculty members of King Saud University in Saudi Arabia to suggest a training plan to develop training programs in KSU. It is time when leaders in educator preparation should critically reexamine their roles in the 21st century knowledge and skills whose landscape has largely changed.
Explicit and Implicit Grammar Instructions in Higher Learning Institutions
Authors: Rahman Ayuni Madarina Abdul , Rashid Radzuwan Ab
Published: September 2017

Two universally accepted approaches to grammar instruction are explicit and implicit teaching of the grammar. Both approaches have their own strengths and limitations. Educators may face a dilemma whether to teach grammar explicitly or implicitly. This paper aims to provide insights into the educators’ beliefs towards grammar teaching in Malaysian Higher Learning Institutions, and the sources of the held beliefs. Data were generated through semi-structured interviews with five educators from several private colleges located in peninsular Malaysia. Data analysis reveals that a majority of the respondents preferred grammar to be taught explicitly in their ESL classrooms; nevertheless they viewed implicit instruction as necessary when conforming to students’ needs. The sources of the held beliefs are educators’ experience as well as the institutional requirement. This paper draws our attention to the role of educators as an eclectic teaching practitioner who are able to apply a suitable grammar instruction according to learners’ needs. It is hoped that this study will contribute to the growth of literature on grammar teaching and learning especially in Malaysian ESL classrooms.
The Richer the Greener: Evidence from G7 Countries
Authors: Chiang Gengnan , Wu Ming-Yi
Published: September 2017

This research applies a recently-developed nonlinear panel smooth transition regression (PSTR) model and takes into account the potential endogeneity biases to examine whether Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) exists in G7 countries over the period 1991-2008. This research makes three contributions to the CO2 emissions literature. First, we apply the panel smooth transition regression (PSTR) model of González et al. (2005) to investigate the relationship among CO2 emissions per capita, energy use per capita, real gross fixed capital formation, real GDP per capita, and labor participation rate for G7 countries. Second, we complement the existing literature by simultaneously examining the impacts of energy use, real gross fixed capital formation, real GDP, and labor participation rate on CO2 emissions and take into account endogenous determination of real GDP on the PSTR model for CO2 emissions. Third, based on the characteristics of the PSTR model, we can consider the elasticity of CO2 emissions changes with country and time to analyze the elasticity of heterogeneous countries and the potential impacts of structural breaks on the CO2 emissions elasticity in the panel framework. Based on the elasticity of the CO2 emissions with respect to real income per capita, the environmental quality is a necessary good in Japan, the UK, and the USA, but a luxury good in the rest of G7 countries. Thus, there exists an inverted U-shaped relationship between CO2 emissions and real income per capita with the threshold value of US$20,488, which is endogenously determined. This finding supports the existence of EKC in G7 countries. In other words, our results confirm there exists the regime-switching effect of real income on CO2 emissions in G7 countries.
Economic Crisis in Europe: Panel Analysis of Inflation, Unemployment and Gross Domestic Product Growth Rates
Authors: Rouksar-Dussoyea Bibi , Ming-Kang Ho , Rajeswari Raja , Yin-Fah Benjamin Chan
Published: September 2017

This panel analysis study is conducted to examine the relationship between inflation rates (CPI) and unemployment rates (HUR) with the Gross Domestic Product growth rates (GDP), before and after the 2008 European crisis. Quarterly data for 18 consecutive years and six sample countries from Europe (Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary and United Kingdom) have been considered in the panel. In order to get a more profound understanding of the impacts of the European crisis on the relationship between the variables, the panel data set has been classified into 3 separate panels, such that Panel 1 (1999Q1-2007Q4) represents before-crisis panel, Panel 2 (2008Q1-2016Q4) represents the during/after crisis panel and lastly, Panel 3 (1999Q1-2016Q4) represents the long-run panel. Panel 1 is subject to the Fixed Effects with LSDV model, whereby four out of the six countries are significant, and CPI and HUR are insignificant predictors of the GDP. Both Panel 2 and Panel 3 are subject to the Two-way Random Effects model, whereby both CPI and HUR have negative significant effect on GDP. Granger Causality test has also been carried out to determine whether causality is present among variables, based on each panel.
Modeling Psychology in Islamic Wealth Management
Authors: Al-Abbadi Ahmed Hamed , Abdullah Adam
Published: September 2017

This paper proposes a conceptual framework for modeling psychology in Islamic wealth management. Incorporating psychology into finance would significantly contribute to our understanding of the behavior of individual investors as well as market behavior. Utilizing the findings of behavioral finance and financial therapy, along with industry megatrends, Islamic wealth management could step further in fulfilling its ultimate objective of promoting social welfare. This is can be achieved by exploring and identifying the psychological factors that affect the clients’ decision-making and then behaviorally and cognitively helping them to engage in socially-responsible investments, projects and initiatives. In operationalizing this model, financial advisors/wealth managers should adopt a comprehensive client discovery and profiling method and apply Fintech innovations in producing complex analytics and thereby enriching the client experience.
Twin signed Roman domatic numbers in digraphs
Authors: Sheikholeslami Seyed Mahmoud , Volkmann Lutz
Published: September 2017

Let $D$ be a finite simple digraph with vertex set $V(D)$. A twin signed Roman dominating function on the digraph $D$ is a function $f:V(D)\rightarrow\{-1,1,2\}$ satisfying the conditions that (i) $\sum_{x\in N^-[v]}f(x)\ge 1$ and $\sum_{x\in N^+[v]}f(x)\ge 1$ for each $v\in V(D)$, where $N^-[v]$ (resp. $N^+[v]$) consists of $v$ and all in-neighbors (resp. out-neighbors) of $v$, and (ii) every vertex $u$ for which $f(u)=-1$ has an in-neighbor $v$ and an out-neighbor $w$ for which $f(v)=f(w)=2$. A set $\{f_1,f_2,\ldots,f_d\}$ of distinct twin signed Roman dominating functions on $D$ with the property that $\sum_{i=1}^df_i(v)\le 1$ for each $v\in V(D)$, is called a twin signed Roman dominating family (of functions) on $D$. The maximum number of functions in a twin signed Roman dominating family on $D$ is the twin signed Roman domatic number of $D$, denoted by $d_{sR}^*(D)$. In this paper, we initiate the study of the twin signed Roman domatic number in digraphs and we present some sharp bounds on $d_{sR}^*(D)$. In addition, we determine the twin signed Roman domatic number of some classes of digraphs.
Utilização de um Centro de Ciência como estratégia inovadora e colaborativa na formação de professores de Ciências
Authors: Marques Marcos Fabio Oliveira , Moraes Tatyane Da Silva , Pinho Maria José Souza
Published: September 2017

O presente artigo apresenta o processo inovador e colaborativo de uma ao de ensino e pesquisa realizada com alunos do componente curricular Prtica Pedaggica e Estgio Supervisionado II, na Licenciatura em Cincias Biolgicas da Universidade do Estado da Bahia, Campus VII, junto ao Centro de Cincia - Espao Cincia Micolgica. A estratgia metodolgica adotada seguiu um processo colaborativo em etapas: a) apresentao e conhecimento do Centro de Cincia pelos licenciandos do componente curricular; b) treinamento e participao em aes, atividades e mediao no Espao Cincia Micolgica; c) planejamento e execuo da ao pelos graduandos junto a Educao Bsica; d) avaliao da ao como estratgia para formao de professores. So apresentados um conjunto de aes que contribuem para o desenvolvimento docente e podem proporcionar novas formas de ensinar cincias.
Literatura direcionada às crianças: leitura de um mundo que envelhece
Authors: Todaro Mônica Avila , Romanin Nathana Brandão
Published: September 2017

Ler ou contar histrias so aes que ultrapassam as paredes de nossos lares e se fazem presente tambm nos mais diferentes espaos escolares. Na Literatura, mais especificamente na dirigida s crianas, a velhice e o envelhecimento se caracterizam pelas imagens e temas nela veiculadas, delineando os diversos perfis de pessoas idosas. Por meio de um relato de experincia, descreve-se o impacto da leitura de seis obras nas atitudes e na imagem corporal de crianas em idade escolar quando provocadas a pensar a respeito de si no momento atual e quando forem idosas. Considera-se que o crculo de cultura traz para o campo da educao a reflexo e o pensamento crtico sobre o assunto, problematizando a heterogeneidade da velhice para que as crianas leiam, com olhos crticos e com sensibilidade, o mundo que envelhece.
Patologie w obszarze funkcjonowania ludzi w organizacji (analiza porównawcza wybranych aspektów)
Authors: Winnicka-Wejs Alicja
Published: September 2017

W artykule przedstawiono wybrane patologie w obszarze funkcjonowania ludzi w organizacji, mające postać systematycznych i długotrwałych działań: pracoholizm, wypalenie zawodowe i mobbing. Określono ich indywidualne, organizacyjne i zewnętrzne uwarunkowania, uwzględniając różnice w ich genezie. Scharakteryzowano pracoholizm, wypalenie zawodowe, mobbing w kontekście deprecjacji kapitału ludzkiego, podając przykłady negatywnego wpływu na poszczególne jego składowe: wiedzę, zdolności i umiejętności, zdrowie, motywację, postawę, wartości. Ponadto dokonano egzemplifikacji działań prewencyjnych w ramach funkcji gospodarowania kapitałem ludzkim.
Niedopasowanie - dysfunkcja czy szansa na rozwój organizacji?
Authors: Gadomska-Lila Katarzyna , Rudawska Aleksandra
Published: September 2017

W warunkach dynamicznych zmian otoczenia organizacje poszukują różnych sposobów na zdobycie przewagi konkurencyjnej – od optymalnego dopasowania do zmian w otoczeniu po celowe kreowanie niedopasowania. Każda z tych opcji niesie określone konsekwencje, widoczne zarówno w postawach i zachowaniach pracowników oraz ich indywidualnych wynikach, jak też w wynikach finansowych i rynkowych zatrudniających ich organizacji. W opracowaniu dokonano analizy przyczyn i konsekwencji niedopasowania organizacyjnego. Podstawę prezentowanych rozważań stanowią studia literatury przedmiotu oraz wyniki badań empirycznych.