bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Debate - The Trafficking Protocol and the Anti-Trafficking Framework: Insufficient to address exploitation
Authors: Baer Kathryn
Published: November 2016

The Trafficking Protocol[1] has shaped and advanced a global movement against human trafficking; notably through establishing a global definition and creating criminal justice remedies befitting an international crime.[2] Borne out of and including the Protocol, a global anti-trafficking framework has emerged. This framework reflects these two central tenets at international, regional and national levels and includes initiatives by States not party to the Protocol, such as Singapore. However, the emphasis on these tenets, which comprise only part of a robust anti-trafficking strategy, has rendered the existing framework insufficient to address exploitation.[1] In full: Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children[2] K H Heinrich, ‘Ten Years After the Palermo Protocol: Where are Protections for Human Trafficking?’, Human Rights Brief 18, no.1, 2010, retrieved 5 January 2015, http://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1145&context=hrbrief ; K E Hyland, The Impact of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, Human Rights Brief 8, no. 2, 2001, retrieved 5 January 2015, http://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1492&context=hrbrief
Two Cheers for the Trafficking Protocol
Authors: Gallagher Anne T
Published: November 2016

The Trafficking Protocol makes an easy target for attack. Its origins lie in an attempt to control a particularly exploitative form of migration that was challenging the ability of States to control their own borders. Its parent instrument is a framework agreement to address transnational organised crime. While paying fleeting attention to the rights of victims, the Protocol, with its emphasis on criminalisation and border protection is nowhere near being a human rights treaty. On top of all that it does not even have a credible enforcement mechanism, allowing states parties wide latitude in interpreting and applying their obligations. Strangely, these seemingly insurmountable flaws have not stopped the Protocol’s emergence as perhaps the single most important development in the fight against human trafficking. Without the Protocol, arguments around definitions would have continued to block the evolution of principles and rules. Without the Protocol it is likely that the human rights system would have continued its shameful tradition of sidelining issues such as forced labour, forced sex, forced marriage and the ritual exploitation of migrant workers through debt. Most critically, the Protocol provided the impetus and template for a series of legal and political developments that, over time, have served to ameliorate some of its greatest weaknesses, including the lack of human rights protections and of a credible oversight mechanism.
Policy and Practice: The Role of Trade Unions in Reducing Migrant Workers’ Vulnerability to Forced Labour and Human Trafficking in the Greater Mekong Subregion
Authors: Marks Eliza , Olsen Anna
Published: November 2016

This paper provides an analysis of what trade unions can offer to reduce the vulnerability of migrant workers to forced labour and human trafficking in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) and Malaysia as a key destination for GMS migrant workers. The exploration of the potential for the engagement of trade union partners is a timely contribution to the forced labour and anti-trafficking debate, given the shift towards a more holistic labour rights approach, and the ensuing search for more actors and partnerships to combat these crimes, which led to adoption of the Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930, (Forced Labour Protocol) in June 2014. Examples from Malaysia and Thailand highlight the role that trade unions can play in policy development and service provision, and also some of the challenges associated with unionisation of a vulnerable, temporary, and often repressed, migrant workforce.
Resisting the Carceral: The need to align anti-trafficking efforts with movements for criminal justice reform
Authors: Swenstein Abigail , Mogulescu Kate
Published: November 2016

Response to ATR Debate Proposition: ‘Prosecuting trafficking deflects attention from much more important responses and is anyway a waste of time and money’
Trafficking of Women for Sexual Exploitation in Europe: Prosecution, trials and their impact
Authors: Meshkovska Biljana , Mickovski Nikola , Bos Arjan , Siegel Melissa
Published: November 2016

The importance of criminal proceedings against traffickers in the fight against human trafficking is clear. However, this paper illustrates that investigations, prosecutions and trials are often extremely long with mixed influences on the victims themselves. The study draws on fieldwork conducted in five European countries: Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Serbia and the Netherlands. A total of 40 interviews were conducted—with 7 trafficked persons and 33 service providers who are in direct contact with victims. Based on these interviews, some general themes were identified for analysis: (1) length of the criminal justice process, (2) secondary victimisation, (3) need for specialist training and interviewing skills for all individuals in contact with trafficked persons, (4) information and trust, (5) protection from intimidation, (6) not just conviction but financial compensation, and finally, (7) the label ‘victim’ and the wish to testify. Each theme is discussed in detail.
The Prominent Role of National Judges in Interpreting the International Definition of Human Trafficking
Authors: Esser Luuk B , Dettmeijer-Vermeulen Corinne E
Published: November 2016

Although there has been much discussion of the scope of the concept of human trafficking in international literature, the part played by national courts in interpreting definitions based on the international definition of human trafficking in the UN Trafficking Protocol has received little attention. When a judge interprets an offence, he or she clarifies or adds new meaning to it. The space for this is even greater when the underlying definition is broadly formulated, as in the case of the international definition of human trafficking. This article demonstrates that, although this international definition establishes the outer parameters within which conduct must be made a criminal offence, domestic courts still have room to flesh out the definition in national contexts. The role of national judges needs more consideration in today’s discourse on the legal definition of human trafficking.
High-speed optical 3D sensing and its applications
Authors: Watanabe Yoshihiro
Published: November 2016

This paper reviews high-speed optical 3D sensing technologies for obtaining the 3D shape of a target using a camera. The focusing speed is from 100 to 1000 fps, exceeding normal camera frame rates, which are typically 30 fps. In particular, contactless, active, and real-time systems are introduced. Also, three example applications of this type of sensing technology are introduced, including surface reconstruction from time-sequential depth images, high-speed 3D user interaction, and high-speed digital archiving.
Transfer of Papenfussia japonica (Delesseriaceae, Rhodophyta) from Korea to the genus Augophyllum
Authors: Kang Jeong Chan , Kim Myung Sook
Published: November 2016

(Yoshida
Mutations of simple-minded systems in Calabi–Yau categories generated by a spherical object
Authors: Coelho Simões Raquel
Published: November 2016

In this article, we give a definition and a classification of ‘higher’ simple-minded systems in triangulated categories generated by spherical objects with negative Calabi–Yau dimension. We also study mutations of this class of objects and that of ‘higher’ Hom-configurations and Riedtmann configurations. This gives an explicit analogue of the ‘nice’ mutation theory exhibited in cluster-tilting theory.
International Students and Investments Abroad
Authors: Murat Marina
Published: November 2016

This paper analyses the impact of education networks on the FDI from the United States and United Kingdom to 167 countries during 1999–2011. Proxies of networks are international students in the United States and United Kingdom and American and British alumni associations abroad. Results show that international students boost British FDI, while their influence on American FDI is weaker and restricted to non-OECD economies. International alumni associations strongly attract both American and British FDI to the alumni home countries. The different impact of education networks on American and British FDI is partly related to the two countries’ use of soft and hard power. The pro-FDI effects of student ties are disrupted by the use of hard power.
Temperamental basis of sense of humor: Validating the state-trait-cheerfulness-inventory in Mainland China
Authors: Chen Guo‐Hai , Ruch Willibald F. , Yan-Na Li
Published: November 2016

This paper examined the reliability and validity of the State-Trait-Cheerfulness-Inventory (STCI) in Mainland China. The Chinese translation of the STCI-T<106i>, STCI-S<45i> and the Temporal Satisfaction with Life Scale (TSWLS) were administered to 476 university students (313 females, 157 males, 6 missing; 20.40 ± 1.35 years of age). Results showed that the STCI-T<106> and the STCI-S<45> had high Cronbach alphas ranging from 0.60 to 0.92 in Mainland China, and the factorial structures of the instruments were supported. The STCI-T<60> and STCI-S<30> were developed utilizing three criteria for the selection of items. Cronbach alphas were satisfactory ranging from 0.67 to 0.94. The factor structure of the items appeared to be highly generalizable in Mainland China. Joint factor analyses of the state and trait items yielded three factors (cheerfulness, seriousness and bad mood) both as traits and states with the homologous concepts positively correlated. As expected, cheerfulness correlated negatively with bad mood, and cheerfulness correlated negatively with state seriousness. Meanwhile, seriousness correlated positively with bad mood. Moreover, life satisfaction was related positively with cheerfulness and negatively with bad mood, and could be predicted by high cheerfulness and low bad mood. Applications of the STCI-T<60> and STCI-S<30> in the Chinese context and future research are discussed.
Getting the mob angry: The satire of Masa Enfurecida as political incorrectness in social networking
Authors: Pérez-Pereiro Marta
Published: November 2016

Since Ancient Greece satirists are feared figures in any group articulation. Often protected by anonymity, authors have defied political and social order with a harsh and unpleasant sense of humour, which pushes the limits of political correction. This form based in breaking news and everyday life has a particularly suitable space in new media. Twitter, by means of its promptness and need for concision, could be considered a perfect ground for this kind of humour. Provocation and censorship of political attitudes are the objectives of many twitter accounts whose followers echo by commenting and retweeting. Interactivity allows the production of a text without closure which interweaves a myriad of positions, different from the voice of the satirist. My case study is the Twitter account Masa Enfurecida, which targeted for five years the Spanish political and social everyday life by quoting and reversing public messages. With close to 124.000 followers, @masaenfurecida, an anonymous account, impacts political debate and influences popular communication as some repeated expressions become part of the talk of the day. The tweets of Masa Enfurecida are brief pieces that can be considered a pure form of satire, which is transformed in the chains of answers and retweets of the followers.
Electrogeneration of Active Chlorine in a Filter-Press-Type Reactor Using a New Sb2O5Doped Ti/RuO2-ZrO2Electrode: Indirect Indigoid Dye Oxidation
Authors: Rodríguez Francisca A. , Rivero Eligio P. , González Ignacio
Published: November 2016

This paper presents the study on active chlorine mediated electrochemical oxidation of model solutions that simulate textile effluents containing an indigoid dye (indigo carmine) and sodium chloride (0.05 M) using a new Sb2O5-doped Ti/RuO2-ZrO2electrode. The study was carried out in a filter-press electrochemical reactor specially designed to minimize flow deviations and provide homogeneous mass transfer flux over the electrode surface. Firstly, the mass-transfer-limited chloride oxidation reaction was studied in the absence of dye in order to understand the active chlorine formation process. Changes in pH, chloride concentration and UV-visible absorption spectra during electrolysis reveal the formation of active chlorine (mainly hypochlorite) with current efficiencies for chloride oxidation of 0.558 and 0.503 at 10 and 20 mA cm−2, respectively. Secondly, chloride oxidation was investigated in the presence of indigo carmine dye (0.5 mM) wherein-situgenerated active chlorine was responsible for -C=C- bond breaking and dye degradation. The solution discoloration followed a pseudo-first order kinetics where kinetic coefficient was inversely proportional to dye concentration. The oxidation with active chlorine had an average efficiency of 0.7 and a very competitive energy consumption between 49.2 and 128.5 kW h (kg COD removed)−1depending on current density and flow rate.
A conjugate direction method for linear systems in Banach spaces
Authors: Herzog Roland , Wollner Winnifried
Published: November 2016

In this article, the well-known conjugate gradient (CG) method for
linear systems in Hilbert spaces is extended to a reflexive Banach
space setting. In this setting, the Riesz isomorphism has to be replaced by the
duality mapping. Due to the nonlinearity of the duality mapping, the short term
recursion and conjugacy of search directions cannot be maintained
simultaneously. The well-posedness of the proposed iteration and its global convergence
are shown under appropriate conditions. Error bounds and stopping criteria are presented as well.
The results extend to a limited-memory variant of the algorithm.
The behavior of the method is demonstrated by numerical examples.
Inverse problems on a graph with loops
Authors: Yang Chuan-Fu , Wang Feng
Published: November 2016

A graph with loops, endowed
with standard matching conditions in the internal
vertex and with Dirichlet boundary conditions at the boundary vertices, is considered.
We show that the potential on a graph with loops can be constructed by
the dense nodal points on the interval considered. Moreover, we investigate the so-called
incomplete inverse problems of recovering the potential on a fixed edge from a subset of
nodal points situated only on a part of the edge.
The selected aspects of transport services punctuality measurement rated by the carrier and passengers / Wybrane aspekty pomiaru punktualności przewozów przez przewoźnika i pasażerów
Authors: Bojda Krzysztof , Tubis Agnieszka
Published: November 2016

The quality of public transport plays an increasingly important role in overall quality of life assessment in metropolitan areas. The punctuality of departures is classified as one of the primary criteria for passengers, public transport authorities and carriers. The paper presents the problem of measuring the punctuality of services in view of assessing by different participants of the transportation process. The literature references were discussed pointing out the most commonly used measures for punctuality assessment and relevance to travel-time reliability. The analytic tool designed for transport operator was described, which provides detailed analysis based on data registered during the transport services execution. The information support model for the transport system operation process was referred, which utilizes the available archive timetable execution data to provide the optimized routes based on passengers’ query. The importance of reliability assessment was highlighted for the interchanges being performed along the journey.
Preliminary analysis of the availability of the medium firefighting vehicles chassis / Wstępna analiza gotowości podwozi średnich samochodów pożarniczych
Authors: Walczak Agata , Pieniak Daniel , Niewczas Andrzej , Gawroński Wiktor , Wiśniowski Piotr , Gil Leszek
Published: November 2016

The paper presents analysis of the availability of medium firefighting and rescue vehicles chassis used by State Fire Brigade in Warsaw. For analysis of availability of vehicles chassis the technical availability factor has been used. Additionally, in the paper time to restore of the vehicles chassis regarding causes of unavailability has been presented. In the tests the data obtained from the Decision Support System (DSS) of Warsaw State Fire Brigade were applied. The research included the period from January 2012 to May 2015. Based on the results, it can be statement that the operating mileage is the crucial factor of operating degradation of firefighting vehicles chassis.
Risk analysis in case of fire on PZL BRYZA using the event tree analysis / Analiza ryzyka w przypadku pożaru samolotu PZL BRYZA z wykorzystaniem metody drzewa zdarzeń
Authors: Papis Mateusz , Matyjewski Marek
Published: November 2016

The paper presents application of the Event Tree Analysis method for analyzing risk in complex situations. A model associated with the occurrence of fire on PZL Bryza was developed using the aircraft flight manual. The probabilities of events caused by the initiating event and the losses caused by each of the highlighted final undesirable events were determined. Statistical data for flight safety was used to calculate probability of the initiating event. The risk was determined as the probability that losses of at least given category will occur during one flight. As a result of the conducted analysis it was found that the probability of in-flight fire is very small. However, in such a case, the probability of death of one or more passengers is relatively high.
Genetic algorithm method for solving the optimal allocation of response resources problem on the example of polish zone of the Baltic Sea / Metoda algorytmów genetycznych do rozwiązywania problemów optymalnej alokacji środków do zwalczania rozlewów olejowych na przykładzie polskiej strefy Morza Bałtyckiego
Authors: Łazuga Kinga , Gucma Lucjan
Published: November 2016

The paper presents research related to optimal allocation of response vessels. Research belong to the logistical problem, location-allocation type (LA). Research is focused on vessels belongs to polish Search and Rescue. For the optimal allocation of resources used two-stages method wherein the first stage, using genetic optimization methods and consist in such allocation of response vessels to minimize costs of the spill at sea. In the second stage uses an accurate simulation model of oil spill combat action to verify the solutions obtained by genetic algorithm method.
Comparison of the duo of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1/alpha fetoprotein (Amnioquick duo+®) and traditional clinical assessment for diagnosing premature rupture of fetal membranes
Authors: Eleje George Uchenna , Ezugwu Euzebus Chinonye , Eke Ahizechukwu Chigoziem , Ikechebelu Joseph Ifeanyichukwu , Obiora Chukwudi Celestine , Ojiegbe Nnabuike Okechukwu , Ezebialu Ifeanyichukwu Uzoma , Ezeama Chukwuemeka Okwudili , Nwosu Betrand Obi , Udigwe Gerald Okanandu , Okafor Charles Ikechukwu , Ezugwu Frank Okechukwu
Published: November 2016

Purpose:

To determine the diagnostic accuracy of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1/alpha fetoprotein (Amnioquick duo+®) compared with traditional clinical assessment (TCA) of nitrazine, ferning and pooling for the diagnosis of prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM).

Methods:

A double-blinded, multicenter clinical study was conducted between February 2015 and August 2015 among pregnant women presenting with symptoms or features suggestive of PROM between 24 and 42 weeks gestation. Confirmation of PROM was done after delivery based on the presence of any two of these criteria: delivery within 48 h to 7 days, evidence of chorioamnionitis, membranes explicitly ruptured at delivery and adverse perinatal outcomes strongly correlated with prolonged PROM. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were outcome measures assessed.

Results:

Two hundred and thirty-six women were recruited. Three women were excluded from the final analysis due to lack of follow-up data and failure to meet inclusion criteria. Two hundred and thirty-three women had complete data for analysis. The specificity and sensitivity values for TCA were 76.2% and 85.2%, which were lower than those of Amnioquick duo+, which were 97.6% and 97.9%, respectively. The accuracy of Amnioquick duo+ was statistically higher (97.9% vs. 83.7%; RR=1.17; 95%CI=1.10–1.24; P<0.001). In equivocal cases (pooling=negative), the accuracy of Amnioquick duo+ vs. TCA was 98.4% vs. 69.4% (RR=1.42; 95%CI=1.20–1.68; P<0.001) at ≥34 weeks gestation and 100.0% vs. 71.4% (RR=1.40; 95%CI=1.07–1.83; P=0.021) at <34 weeks gestation.

Conclusion:

The performance matrix of Amnioquick duo+® was superior to that of TCA for diagnosing PROM even in equivocal cases.
Legal Ontology, Scientific Expertise and The Factual World
Authors: Wahlberg Lena
Published: November 2016

This article analyses the role of scientific information in legal proceedings by exploring the relationship of law, science and the factual world. The article compares legal and scientific ontology, and discusses how they relate to each other. The comparison is used to explain previous controversies between legal and scientific experts. Special consideration is devoted to the legal notion of cause-in-fact, which is discussed at length. The article distinguishes among different meanings of “facticity” in the legal discourse on causation, and discusses the bearing that these meanings have on the legal relevance of scientific information.
The performance of [-2]proPSA and prostate health index tumor markers in prostate cancer diagnosis
Authors: Osredkar Joško , Kumer Kristina , Fabjan Teja , Hlebič Gregor , Podnar Blaže , Lenart Gordan , Smrkolj Tomaž
Published: November 2016

Background:

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is an established tumor marker for the diagnosis of patients with prostate cancer. The aim of the study was to evaluate the performance of [-2]proenzyme PSA ([-2]proPSA) and prostate health index (PHI) tumor markers in the differential diagnosis between benign prostatic diseases and prostate cancer.

Methods:

Total PSA (tPSA), free PSA (fPSA) and [-2]proPSA were measured using antibody-based sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with a chemiluminescent detection system in 110 patients, with a tPSA of 1.6–8.0 µg/L. The PHI and %[-2]proPSA were calculated from the PSA values mentioned above. The results were compared with histopathological examination results following a transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate.

Results:

For the prediction of a malignant histopathological result, the specificity at the 90% sensitivity level was 24.3% for [-2]proPSA, 32.4% for %[-2]proPSA, 28.4% for PHI, 18.9% for tPSA and 28.4% for the free-to-total PSA ratio. The area under the curve for [-2]proPSA, %[-2]proPSA, PHI, tPSA and the free-to-total PSA ratio was 0.663, 0.749, 0.742, 0.616 and 0.625, respectively.

Conclusions:

Our study found a moderate improvement over tPSA and %fPSA in detecting prostate cancer using the [-2]proPSA assay in patients with a tPSA range of 1.6–8.0 µg/L.
Von der Professionsethik zur ethischen Selbststeuerung
Authors: Münte Peter
Published: November 2016

Der Beitrag behandelt den Ethik-Kodex der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Soziologie und des Berufsverbandes Deutscher Soziologinnen und Soziologen. Anhand ausgewählter Textelemente wird gezeigt, inwiefern sich in diesem Kodex die Form professioneller Selbstorganisation mit einem ausgeprägten Steuerungsdenken verbindet. Dieser Befund zieht sowohl für die Professions- als auch die Wissenschaftssoziologie Klärungsbedarf nach sich.
Mono urotropine adducts of some binary zinc xanthates and dithiocarbamates: solid-state molecular structures and supramolecular self-assembly
Authors: Câmpian Marius V. , Azizuddin Aliaa Diyana , Haiduc Ionel , Tiekink Edward R.T.
Published: November 2016

The molecular structures of [Zn(S2COR)2(hmta)], R=Et (I) and iPr (II), and [Zn(S2CNRR′)2(hmta)], R=R′=Et (III) and R=iPr, R′=CH2CH2OH (IV), feature chelating 1,1-dithiolate ligands and monodentate hmta molecules; hmta=hexamethylenetetramine. The resulting NS4 donor sets are highly distorted, with tendencies towards square pyramidal. Systematic differences in the structures are related to the greater chelating ability of the dithiocarbamate ligands leading to, e.g., elongated Zn–N bond lengths in III and IV. In the molecular packing, an unusual C–H···π(chelate ring) interaction is noted in III, which is correlated with the close to symmetric Zn–S bond lengths formed by the relevant dithiocarbamate ligand and resultant greater metalloaromatic character of the resulting ZnS2C chelate ring, and to the greater distortion of the coordination geometry compared with literature precedents. A three-dimensional architecture found for IV is sustained by hydroxyl-O-H···O, S and N hydrogen bonding.
Strength Training for the Brain: Using Technology to Deliver Mindfulness Training to Improve Strength and Conditioning Performance
Authors: Rist Billymo , Pearce Alan J.
Published: November 2016

THIS ARTICLE EXAMINES THE BENEFITS OF USING MINDFULNESS THROUGH TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING (SC) TRAINING PERFORMANCE. ALTHOUGH THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MINDFULNESS HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED IN ATHLETES FROM NOVICE TO COLLEGIATE LEVELS, ATHLETES CONTINUE TO FAIL TO USE MINDFULNESS CITING A RANGE OF ISSUES INCLUDING TIME DEMANDS AND EXPENSE OF PSYCHOLOGISTS. ONE SOLUTION MAY BE THROUGH USING TECHNOLOGY TO EXPLORE SMARTPHONE APPLICATIONS THAT CAN DELIVER MINDFULNESS TRAINING BEFORE AND DURING SC SESSIONS. IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE USE OF SMARTPHONE TECHNOLOGY MAY BRIDGE THE GAP THAT EXISTS IN PAST METHODS OF DELIVERY OF MINDFULNESS INTERVENTIONS. FOR A VIDEO ABSTRACT DESCRIBING THIS ARTICLE, SEE, SUPPLEMENTAL DIGITAL CONTENT 1, (SEE VIDEO, http://links.lww.com/scj/a197).
Conception and Organizational and Structural Models of Psychological Service in Education
Authors: Zabrodin Y.M. , Metelkova E.I. , Rubtsov V.V.
Published: November 2016

The article is devoted to the discussion of the key problems of practical psychology of education and to formulation of the main principles of conception of the psychological service in education, which is considered as one of the most important elements of the whole educational system modernization. Based on the data obtained by the monitoring of the psychological service in Russian education, conducted in 2006-2008, as well as on the analysis of the research materials, the service development strategy is formulated that determines the key directions of its' work till 2020 year. The mechanism of this strategy realization will be formulated as a suggested structural and functional model of the psychological service in education. The variants of organization of psychological service in education on the federal, as well as regional and municipal levels, specified under the regional and other contextual peculiarities, can be applied in creating particular versions of psychological service aimed at the different categories: gifted children and children with special educational needs, orphans and deviant children, children that suffer difficulties in learning, etc. the example of concrete target model of work with child's giftedness is widely described in the article.
The Models of Relationship between Training and Psyche development in Cultural-historical and Activity Approaches
Authors: Pogozhina I.N.
Published: November 2016

The possibility of referring of the psychological theories studying interrelation of training and mental development processes to this or that stage of scientific knowledge formation on the basis of studied objects types and corresponded determination systems as a basic criterion distinguishing the ideals of scientific rationality is justified. General characteristics of classical, non-classical and post-non-classical models, determination of the mechanisms of dissipative systems, requirements for learning and development model building in the context of post-non-classic science paradigm on the criterion of the system features of the object of cognition are described. Domestic psychological school models are compared with associanism, behaviorism, gestalt psychology and Piaget determination models on the number of options allocated to these determinants, types of causal chains and types of links between causal chains. It is shown that cultural-historical approach is situated intermediately between post-non-classical and non-classical models, while activity approach corresponds to post-non-classical understanding of the object of study as complicated self-developing "man-size" system. Determination relationships models developed by L.V.Vygotskii, S.L. Rubinstein, A.N. Leont’ev continue to play the heuristic role at the present stage of scientific development.
Airborne Imaging Spectrometer HySpex
Authors: Köhler Claas Henning
Published: November 2016

The Remote Sensing Technology Institute (IMF) of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) operates an airborne imaging spectrometer system called HySpex. Owing to its accurate calibration, the system is well suited for benchmark reference measurements and feasibility studies for Earth observation applications. The sensor also serves as simulator for the upcoming German satellite mission EnMAP. HySpex covers the spectral range from the visible and near infrared (VNIR) to the short wave infrared (SWIR) and it has been extensively characterised with numerous measurements in the IMF calibration laboratory (CHB). The HySpex instrument is made available to interested third party users through the user service Optical Airborne Remote Sensing and Calibration Homebase (OpAiRS).
A clinico-epidemiological study of cutaneous changes in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Maheshwari Chirag , Kumar Ajay , Gupta Sanjeev
Published: November 2016

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has emerged as a major public health problem in South Asia. This is attributable to the increase in prevalence of co-morbidities particularly hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Cutaneous manifestations are observed throughout the course of the disease and serve as markers of the disease and its progression. Early diagnosis and treatment is critical in halting the progression of the disease. The objective was to study the prevalence of co-morbidities as well as cutaneous changes in patients with CKD from a rural or semi-urban background in a tertiary care hospital.

Methods: A total of 50 patients with CKD aged 18 years or above detected and managed at a tertiary care teaching hospital in North India were included in the study.

Results: The age of the patients ranged from 18 to 78 years. 35 patients (70%) had a rural background while 15 patients (30%) had a semi-urban background. 37 patients (74%) had co-morbidities including hypertension, diabetes mellitus or both. 17 patients (34%) were on conservative management while 33 patients (66%) were undergoing haemodialysis. Skin changes included nephrogenic pruritus in 30 patients (60%), xerosis in 25 patients (50%), cutaneous infections and infestations in 25 patients (50%), pallor in 22 patients (44%), acquired perforating disorders in 6 patients (12%), purpura in 5 patients (10%), hyperpigmentation in 4 patients (8%) and yellow skin in 1 patient (2%). Hair changes were observed in 20 patients (40%), nail changes in 24 patients (48%) and mucosal changes in 20 patients (40%). None of the patients were found to have bullous dermatoses, calcific uraemic arteriolopathy or nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. 4 patients (8%) included in the study initially reported to dermatology OPD with a specific dermatosis and were detected to have CKD.

Conclusions: The prevalence of co-morbidities including hypertension and diabetes associated with CKD may be lower in rural and semi-urban populations. Nephrogenic pruritus is the most distressing change which impairs the quality of life in these patients. Cutaneous changes may help in early detection and treatment of CKD. 
Identifying Clusters of Regions in the European South, based on their Economic, Social and Environmental Characteristics
Authors: Angelis-Dimakis Athanasios , Dimaki Katerina
Published: November 2016

Regional development has been in the centre of interest among both academics but also decision makers in the central and local governments of many European countries. Identifying the key problems that regions face and considering how these findings could be effectively used as a basis for planning their development process are essential in order to improve the conditions in the European Union regions. For a long period of time a country’s or a region’s development has been synonymous with its economic growth. Over the last years, however, economies and societies have been undergoing dramatic changes. These changes have led to the concept of sustainable development, which refers to the ability of our societies to meet the needs of the present without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Measuring sustainable development means going beyond a purely economic description of human activities; requires integration of economic, social and environmental concerns. New techniques are required in order to benchmark performance, highlight leaders and laggards on various aspects of development and facilitate efforts to identify best practices. Furthermore, new tools have to be designed so as to make sustainability decision-making more objective, systematic and rigorous. The growth or decline of a country or region depends on its power to pull and retain both business and the right blend of people to run them. Working in this context, we have so far defined a variable which is called the Image of a region and quantifies this pulling power. The region’s Image is a function of a multitude of factors physical, economic, social and environmental, some common for all potential movers and some specific for particular groups of them and expresses its present state of development and future prospects. The paper examines a number of south European countries and focuses on their NUTS 2 level regions. Its objective is to:

Estimate the Basic Image values of those regions.

Group those regions into different clusters on the basis of the values of the various factors used to define their respective Basic Images.

Present and discuss the results.
SOCIJALNI I AFEKTIVNI EFEKTI PRIMENE PROGRAMA „KORAK PO KORAK”
Authors: Malešević Dragana S. , Milutinović Jovana J.
Published: November 2016

Ključna ideja i opredeljenost za istraživanje proizlazi iz aktuelnosti potrebe za ispitivanjem efekata metodologija usmerenih na učenika. Cilj istraživanja jeste da se utvrde stavovi i mišljenja nastavnika, roditelja i učenika o socijalnim i afektivnim efektima primene elemenata Programa „Korak po korak” u Republici Srbiji, kao i da se ispitaju interpersonalni odnosi među učenicima, koji predstavljaju indikatore socijalnih i afektivnih efekata nastave. S obzirom na kompleksnost postavljenog istraživačkog cilja, rezultati i diskusija predstavljeni su kroz dve studije: prva studija odnosi se na procene nastavnika, roditelja i učenika osnovnoškolskog uzrasta o socijalnim i afektivnim efektima nastave, a uzorak obuhvata 1617 ispitanika. Druga studija sprovedena je radi utvrđivanja interpersonalnih odnosa među učenicima, a uzorak obuhvata 788 učenika osnovnoškolskog uzrasta. Primenjeni instrumenti su upitnik u formi Likertove skale o socijalnim i afektivnim efektima nastave i sociometrijski upitnik. Dobijeni rezultati pokazuju da nastavnici koji primenjuju elemente Programa „Korak po korak” imaju statistički značajno više vrednosti aritmatičke sredine na tvrdnjama koje se odnose na socijalne efekte u odnosu na nastavnike koji ovaj program ne primenjuju. Sociometrijskim ispitivanjem potvrđeno je da su pozitivni izbori učenika učestaliji, a negativni izbori manje učestali u odeljenjima u kojima se primenjuju elementi Programa „Korak po korak” u odnosu na odeljenja u kojima se elementi ovog programa ne primenjuju. Zaključuje se da dobijeni rezultati potvrđuju naučnu opravdanost primene metodologija usmerenih na dete, kao što je to Program „Korak po korak”. Implikacije ovog istraživanja mogu se posmatrati na makro nivou (republika, pokrajina, lokalna zajednica) i na mikro nivou (škola, odeljenja) obrazovanja u Srbiji.
RODNOOSETLJIVA ANALIZA ČITANKI ZA OSMI RAZRED OSNOVNE ŠKOLE ZA SRPSKI JEZIK, SRPSKI KAO NEMATERNJI I MAĐARSKI JEZIK
Authors: Bašaragin Margareta V. , Savić Svenka L.
Published: November 2016

Mnogobrojna istraživanja potvrđuju da je tradicionalni patrijarhalni model prisutan u kurikulumima za osnovnu školu. Takođe, potvrđuju postojanje skrivenog ili nevidljivog kurikuluma, kojim se učenicima/ama prenose nepropisani i neplanirani vrednosni stavovi i obrasci ponašanja. Time se dečaci i devojčice i socijalizaciju za drugačije uloge i posredno se utiče na formiranje rodno zasnovanih modela ponašanja. Cilj ovog rada je dekonstrukcija sadržaja i koncepcije čitanki za osmi razred osnovne škole za srpski jezik, srpski kao nematernji i mađarski jezik, čitanki koje su trenutno u upotrebi u Vojvodini, a kroz prizmu rodno oseljive analize kako bi se utvrdilo da li je zaživeo proces integracije rodne ravnopravnosti u udžbenicina u smislu nediskriminatorne obrazovne prakse. Za rodno osetljivu analizu čitanki koriste se istraživački instrumenti sastavljeni za potrebe regionalnog projekta „Rodno senzitivni udžbenici i učionička praksa u regionu Balkana“ (IX 2005-IX 2007). Rezultati potvrđuju da čitanke i dalje reflektuju rodne stereotipe svojim sadržajem i koncepcijom; za prava žena i probleme nejednakosti ne postoji zainteresovanost. Muškarci dominiraju i kao autori književnih tekstova i kao likovi reprezentovani u njima i na slikovnim prilozima uz tekst. Oni su glavni nosioci radnje, sukoba i inicijatori su njihovog razrešavanja. Delovanje ženskih likova usmereno je na nemu podršku muškog društva u kojem je fizička i emotivna briga za dobrobit drugih u porodici i društvu visoko kotirana. Danas ne postoje mehanizmi kojima bi se kontrolisale i otklonile postojeće neusaglašenosti standarda kvaliteta udžbenika koji se odnose na principe jednakih mogućnosti i nediskriminatorne prakse sa sadržajem i koncepcijom udžbenika.
Research Insights from a Decade of Campus-Wide Implementation of Web-Supported Academic Instruction at Tel Aviv University
Authors: Nachmias Rafi , Ram Judith
Published: November 2016

This paper describes the scope and outcomes of Virtual TAU, a campus-wide project that aims to integrate information and communication technologies into the academic instruction at Tel Aviv University (TAU). It provides data, insights, and conclusions drawn from various research and evaluation studies that were conducted at the university during the last decade. The paper presents its material on three main levels: (a) the institutional level, in which we describe the scope and pace of the process of diffusing the Web as an innovation into the university’s instruction, and how this diffusion compares to classical diffusion models; (b) the pedagogical level, in which we present some of the innovative pedagogical practices developed and implemented as well as the current state of Web usage among both the university’s teachers and students; and (c) the costs and benefits of the integration of Web-supported academic instruction, where we apply a newly-developed cost-effectiveness model to Virtual TAU courses.
Are We There Yet? A Progress Report from Three Turkish University Pioneers in Distance Education and E-Learning
Authors: Latchem Colin , Simsek Nurettin , Balta Ozlem Cakir , Torkul Orhan , Cedimoglu I. Hakkı , Altunkopru Alpaslan
Published: November 2016

The international literature provides little in-depth analysis of distance education and e-learning activities, achievements, and challenges in Turkish higher education other than the country’s mega-university, Anadolu. This paper examines the development of, and lessons to be learned from, such undertakings by three pioneers, two regular state universities, Ankara University and Sakarya University, and the private, non-profit Turkish-Kazakhstan Ahmet Yesevi University. Drawing on the collective experience of the authors, the paper reaches some overall conclusions about embarking on distance education and e-learning, which may apply in other Turkish universities and similar economies.
Creating Effective Collaborative Learning Groups in an Online Environment
Authors: Brindley Jane , Blaschke Lisa Marie , Walti Christine
Published: November 2016

Collaborative learning in an online classroom can take the form of discussion among the whole class or within smaller groups. This paper addresses the latter, examining first whether assessment makes a difference to the level of learner participation and then considering other factors involved in creating effective collaborative learning groups. Data collected over a three year period (15 cohorts) from the Foundations course in the Master of Distance Education (MDE) program offered jointly by University of Maryland University College (UMUC) and the University of Oldenburg does not support the authors’ original hypothesis that assessment makes a significant difference to learner participation levels in small group learning projects and leads them to question how much emphasis should be placed on grading work completed in study groups to the exclusion of other strategies. Drawing on observations of two MDE courses, including the Foundations course, their extensive online teaching experience, and a review of the literature, the authors identify factors other than grading that contribute positively to the effectiveness of small collaborative learning groups in the online environment. In particular, the paper focuses on specific instructional strategies that facilitate learner participation in small group projects, which result in an enhanced sense of community, increased skill acquisition, and better learning outcomes.
The Impact of Openness on Bridging Educational Digital Divides
Authors: Lane Andy
Published: November 2016

Openness has been a feature of higher education for many decades, particularly through the establishment of open universities, although there remain debates about what openness means in practice. Digital technologies, some based on open principles, and digital content, aided by open licences, have both contributed recently to an extension of what is deemed possible under the heading of openness. Nevertheless, while in principle there may be greater degrees of openness available in higher education it does not mean in practice that many people can still readily avail themselves of these new opportunities to learn, not just because they do not have access to digital technologies but personal circumstances mean they also lack the necessary skills and the confidence to use such technologies in general or for education in particular. In fact it can be argued that this new openness, characterised mainly through the open educational resources movement, may actually widen rather than bridge the digital and educational divides between groups, both within and across national boundaries, through the increasing sophistication in technologies and the competencies expected of learners. This paper reviews some of the evidence supporting these different areas of interest and attempts to provide a synthesis of them. It then argues that actions may be required by many inter-mediaries to help to reduce the diverse social and cultural digital divides within education, including through the mediated use of open educational resources between teachers and learners.
Adaptation of online courses for new educational contexts
Authors: Rossiter Jamie
Published: November 2016

One of the challenges in online learning is adaptation of material developed for one educational setting to be appropriate in another. Qualitative case-study research explored adaptation of online continuing education modules, developed by the Public Health Agency of Canada for public health practitioners. Two adaptations were studied: the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, and English-speaking Caribbean countries. The first case involved adaptation for different learners, but in a similar culture. The second case involved similar learners, but in a different culture. Results show that adaptation of existing online courses can be practicable, and may take less time and fewer resources to implement than creation of a new course. Benefits extended beyond immediate educational objectives to address strategic goals of both originating and recipient organizations.
Implementing digital story telling in a Computers in Education course
Authors: McClinton Jeton
Published: November 2016

Assessment and the integration of advanced technologies are key themes for the 21st century educator. The electronic portfolio project was developed to explore the possibilities of using web-based technology to store artifacts as evidence of student achievements of course goals and objectives. Furthermore, the tool can be used to respond to the need for assessments and accountability and to present a model that utilizes performance measures to demonstrate the meeting of standards set by state agencies. Because these systems require data collection, portfolios can be integrated to show progress over time and adherence to standards. Also, the use of technology supports the assessment work that can be collected in real-time feedback. This presentation will discuss how electronic portfolios development supports both the need for assessment and integration of advanced technology in a graduate level Computers in Education course during the spring 2009 semester.
An investigation of distance education in North American research literature using co-word analysis
Authors: Ritzhaupt Albert Dieter , Stewart Michelle , Smith Patryce , Barron Ann E.
Published: November 2016

The field of distance education is composed of a multiplicity of topics leading to a vast array of research literature. However, the research does not provide a chronological picture of the topics it addresses, making it difficult to develop an overview of the evolution and trends in the literature. To address this issue, a co-word analysis was performed on the abstracts of research articles found in two prominent North American research journals (N = 517), the  American Journal of Distance Education and the Journal of Distance Education, between 1987 and 2005. The analysis yielded underlying trends and themes for three different periods (pre-Web, emerging Web, and maturing Web). Additionally, similarity index analyses were conducted across time periods. The pre-Web era was characterized by the need for quality and development. The emerging Web era was characterized by the development of theory. The maturing Web era was characterized by interaction and the use of tools for communication. The results demonstrate that the North American distance education research literature is characterized by having few consistent and focused lines of inquiry. Conclusions are provided.