bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reading is very important, but...: Taking stock of South African student teachers’ reading habits
Authors: Rimensberger Nicole
Published: March 2017

This article explores the contradiction between student teachers’ acknowledgement of the importance of reading and their actual personal reading habits, and by doing so, attempts to dig below the surface and ‘take stock’ of future teachers’ attitudes towards reading at a private tertiary institution in Durban, South Africa. The rationale is that without fully understanding student teachers’ own attitudes towards reading, the challenges of literacy and reading in the classroom cannot be fully addressed. It does this through a survey of 171 student teachers that investigated how much or how little they read for pleasure, what texts they read for pleasure (fiction, non-fiction, magazines, newspapers, online), how many of them are engaged readers of extended texts (fiction and non-fiction) and finally, the role books and reading play in their lives. It emerged that student teachers’ positive attitude towards reading and their apparent understanding of its importance starkly contradicted their lack of own reading for pleasure and investment of their time in this activity. The acknowledgement of the importance of reading can be viewed as a small success. However, it is ultimately overshadowed by the reality that if this contradiction is not pointed out and interrupted, it could send a mixed message to future learners: that reading is important, but not pleasurable.
Influence of Pre-question and genre-based instructional strategies on reading
Authors: Fola-Adebayo Titi J.
Published: March 2017

This study investigated the influence of Pre-question and genre-based instructional strategies on science undergraduates’ achievement in, and attitude to, reading. Using purposive sampling,two specialised universities in Nigeria were selected and stratified sampling was employed in assigning students to research groups based on gender and performance in a verbal ability test. Two hundred and eighty-five students participated in the study. Pre-post randomised block experimental design was used with three experimental groups and one control group. The experimental procedure involving Pre-question, genre-based instruction and a combination of Pre-question and genre-based instructional strategies were used for the experimental groups for four weeks whilst the control group received normal teacher input. Data were collected through a Reading Comprehension Achievement Test and Students’ Attitude Questionnaire. Qualitative data, obtained from videotapes of classroom interactions, were subjected to conversation and interaction analyses and quantitative data were analysed with Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The results indicate that although there was no significant main effect of instructional strategy on students’ achievement in reading comprehension, there was significant main effect of instructional strategy on students’ attitude to reading (F(3,231) = 30.9;p <.05). Findings from the qualitative enquiry revealed that female students were more voluble and assertive in their responses probably because of the need to resist male domination whilst male students used discourse strategies to affirm their authority. The study indicated that the combination of pre-question and genre-based approach was the most effective in enhancing the students’ attitude to reading. Reading is one of the most useful of the Language Arts skills which learners need for academic reasons and for lifelong learning. The globalised world demands that the second language student of science and technology demonstrates competence in reading materials in his specialist area in order to participate fully in his discourse community.
Nigerian Creole as language of instruction: Will Nigerian lecturers use Nigerian Creole?
Authors: Ukwuoma Uju C.
Published: March 2017

This mixed questionnaire survey sought to determine if lecturers who learned to speak and understand Nigerian Creole before English are willing to use the language as medium of instruction. The respondents were comprised of 560 lecturers and graduate students (i.e. master’s, doctoral) selected through a purposeful random sampling frame from 15 public institutions of higher learning in Nigeria. Lecturers declined to use Nigerian Creole as medium of instruction because they feared that its use might negatively affect their students’ learning of English. Graduate students indicated willingness to receive instruction through a combination of English and Nigerian Creole because they perceived the use of Nigerian Creole as fun and representative of the voice of a new generation of Nigerians. The sample reported that prior knowledge of Nigerian Creole does not facilitate the learning of English because both languages are too different to facilitate a transfer of learning.
Utility of supplemental screening with breast ultrasound in asymptomatic women with dense breast tissue who are not at high risk for breast cancer
Authors: Klevos Geetika A , Collado-Mesa Fernando , Net Jose M , Yepes Monica M
Published: March 2017

Objective: To assess the results of an initial round of supplemental screening with hand-held bilateral breast ultrasound following a negative screening mammogram in asymptomatic women with dense breast tissue who are not at high risk for breast cancer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliant, Institutional Research Board approved study was performed at a single academic tertiary breast center. Informed consent was waived. A systematic review of the breast imaging center database was conducted to identify and retrieve data for all asymptomatic women, who were found to have heterogeneously dense or extremely dense breast tissue on screening bilateral mammograms performed from July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2012 and who received a mammographic final assessment American College of Radiology's (ACR) Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category 1 or BI-RADS category 2. Hand-held screening ultrasound was performed initially by a technologist followed by a radiologist. Chi-square and t-test were used and statistical significance was considered at P< 0.05. Results: A total of 1210 women were identified. Of these, 394 underwent the offered supplemental screening ultrasound. BI-RADS category 1 or 2 was assigned to 323 women (81.9%). BI-RADS category 3 was assigned to 50 women (12.9%). A total of 26 biopsies/aspirations were recommended and performed in 26 women (6.6%). The most common finding for which biopsy was recommended was a solid mass (88.5%) with an average size of 0.9 cm (0.5–1.7 cm). Most frequent pathology result was fibroadenoma (60.8%). No carcinoma was found. Conclusion: Our data support the reported occurrence of a relatively high number of false positives at supplemental screening with breast ultrasound following a negative screening mammogram in asymptomatic women with dense breast tissue, who are not at a high risk of developing breast cancer, and suggests that caution is necessary in establishing wide implementation of this type of supplemental screening for all women with dense breast tissue without considering other risk factors for breast cancer.
Fetal intra abdominal umbilical vein varix: Case series and review of literature
Authors: Lallar Meenakshi , Phadke Shubha R
Published: March 2017

Fetal intraabdominal umbilical vein varix (FIUV) is focal dilatation of the intrabdominalumbilical vein of thefetus.It appears as a round or fusiform cystic structure in thefetal abdomen, which shows continuity with the umbilical vein ongrayscale andcolor Dopplerimaging. The diagnostic criteria include the FIUV varix diameter at least 50% wider than the diameter of the intrahepatic umbilical veinand an intraabdominal umbilical vein diameter exceeding 9 mm orgreater than twostandard deviations above the mean for gestational age. We report three cases, two cases with isolated FIUV and favorable outcome and the third case with FIUV and atrioventricular septal defect, where trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) was diagnosed.
Imaging in ductal plate malformations
Authors: Sureka Binit , Rastogi Archana , Bihari Chhagan , Bharathy Kishore G S , Sood Vikrant , Alam Seema
Published: March 2017

Ductal plate malformations are a heterogenous group of congenital fibrocystic liver diseases resulting from insult to the ductal plate at various stages of embryogenesis. As a result various biliary malformations, cysts, hamartomas and congenital hepatic fibrosis may be seen. We present a radiological pictorial of ductal plate malformations, accurate diagnosis of which is important for clinical management.
Number of foci of functioning thyroid tissue remaining after thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer: Institutional experience
Authors: Kulkarni Kanchan , Khorjekar Gauri , Mete Mihriye , Van Nostrand Douglas
Published: March 2017

Radioiodine imaging of the neck with a pinhole collimator (PinC) is frequently performed in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients for visualizing individual, and a total number of foci (NOF) of functioning residual thyroid tissue (FRTT) within the thyroid bed in postthyroidectomy patients. The objective of this study was to determine our experience regarding the NOF of FRTT visualized on pretherapy radioiodine PinC images. We performed a retrospective review of radioiodine PinC images of the neck of patients with very low-risk DTC and who had thyroidectomy performed by selected surgeons at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. For each patient's image, the NOF of FRTT was determined by two blind readers. Statistical analysis was performed. One hundred and twenty-six patients met the criteria. Surgeon (S1, S2, S3, and S4) performed 17, 10, 86, and 13 thyroidectomies, respectively. The analysis (mean, range, and standard deviation) of NOF of FRTT was: S1: (2.2, 0-5, 1.3); S2: (1.6, 1–3, 0.8); S3: (2.6, 0–7, 1.5); S4: (3.3, 1–5, 1.3). The percentages of < 2, ≤3, ≤4, and <5 foci remaining were 4.9%, 21.5%, 77.0%, and 91.3%, respectively. For the selected surgeons, the NOF of FRTT in the thyroid bed or neck in postthyroidectomy patients never exceeded 7, rarely exceeded 5 (2.4%), and infrequently exceeded 4 (8.7%). Based on these data, our thresholds of the NOF for which we perform further workup for possible locoregional disease are ≥5. Each facility is encouraged to establish their own criteria for their facility and preferably for each of their surgeons.
Stability of a Leap-Frog Discontinuous Galerkin Method for Time-Domain Maxwell's Equations in Anisotropic Materials
Authors: Araújo Adérito , Barbeiro Sílvia , Ghalati Maryam Khaksar
Published: March 2017

In this work we discuss the numerical discretization of the time-dependent Maxwell's equations using a fully explicit leap-frog type discontinuous Galerkin method. We present a sufficient condition for the stability and error estimates, for cases of typical boundary conditions, either perfect electric, perfect magnetic or first order Silver-Müller. The bounds of the stability region point out the influence of not only the mesh size but also the dependence on the choice of the numerical flux and the degree of the polynomials used in the construction of the finite element space, making possible to balance accuracy and computational efficiency. In the model we consider heterogeneous anisotropic permittivity tensors which arise naturally in many applications of interest. Numerical results supporting the analysis are provided.
Новые интегральные представления канонического оператора Маслова в особых картах
Authors: Dobrokhotov Sergey Yur'evich , Nazaikinskii Vladimir Evgen'evich , Shafarevich Andrei Igorevich
Published: March 2017

Построено новое интегральное представление канонического оператора, удобное для численно-аналитических вычислений, предъявлен алгоритм его реализации, рассмотрен ряд примеров.
Библиография: 32 наименования.
Метод фазовых интегралов в одной задаче сингулярной теории возмущений
Authors: Stepin Stanislav Anatol'evich , Fufaev Vladimir Vladimirovich
Published: March 2017

Статья посвящена развитию метода фазовых интегралов применительно к краевой задаче, представляющей собой модель перехода от дискретного спектра к непрерывному в несамосопряженном случае. Целью работы является изучение закономерностей и особенностей асимптотического распределения собственных значений рассматриваемой задачи и описание топологически различных типов конфигурации спектра в квазиклассическом пределе.
Библиография: 27 наименований.
Starizem ali starostizem?
Authors: Burcar Lilijana
Published: March 2017

Ob spremembi družbenoekonomskega sistema in razgradnji socialistične države blaginje izginjata tudi sistemska skrb za starejše in pozitiven odnos do njih. Namesto tega so na delu družbenoekonomske silnice, ki si prizadevajo za institucionalno porajanje odklonilnega odnosa do starejših, njihovo degradacijo in prekategorizacijo v posebno skupino homogeno nezaželenih drugih takoj ali tik pred tem, ko dosežejo predpisani starostni prag za upokojitev. Ta služi kot arbitrarni kronološki mejnik, na podlagi katerega se generacija, opredeljena kot starejša, ločuje od drugih kot domnevno diametralna nasprotna in povsem drugačna skupina (ne)ljudi: po izkrivljeni neoliberalni interpretaciji naj bi upokojeni starejši bile breme, zato naj bi bili domnevno upravičeno obravnavani kot tujek, s tem pa kot nevarnost sistemu in elementarna grožnja vsem ostalim. Priča smo torej sistemskemu popredmetenju in razčlovečenju starejših z namenom, da bi tako laže ustvarili dežurnega krivca in prikrili strukturne vzroke njihovega osiromašenja in osiromašenja naslednjih generacij ob prehodu med upokojene.
Regulative theory of temperament versus affective temperaments measured by the temperament evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Auto-questionnaire (TEMPS-A): a study in a non-clinical Polish sample
Authors: Oniszczenko Włodzimierz , Stanisławiak Ewa , Dembińska-Krajewska Daria , Rybakowski Janusz
Published: March 2017

Background

This study investigates the relationship between temperament traits postulated by Strelau’s regulative theory of temperament (RTT) and Akiskal’s affective temperaments. This study represents the first attempt to compare these two concepts in a non-clinical Polish sample.

Participants and procedure

The study involved 615 healthy Caucasian adults (395 women and 220 men) aged from 17 to 69 years (M = 30.79, SD = 9.69). Temperament traits postulated by the RTT were assessed with the Formal Characteristics of Behaviour–Temperament Inventory. The Polish version of the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Auto-questionnaire (TEMPS-A) was used to assess affective temperaments (depressive, cyclothymic, hyperthymic, irritable and anxious).

Results

Emotional reactivity and perseveration (RTT) positively correlated with anxious, cyclothymic, depressive and irritable temperaments (TEMPS-A), predicting from 2% (irritable temperament) to 24% (anxious temperaments) of the variance in the affective temperaments. Hyperthymic temperament (TEMPS-A) positively correlated with briskness, sensory sensitivity, endurance and activity (RTT). Activity was the best predictor of hyperthymic temperament, accounting for 25% of the variance. TEMPS-A scores showed that women were more depressive, cyclothymic and anxious and less hyperthymic than men.

Conclusions

These results suggest that two RTT traits, emotional reactivity and perseveration, may be related to all the affective temperaments of TEMPS-A, except hyperthymic temperament, which is most likely linked to the RTT activity trait.
Universals and specifics of the structure and hierarchy of basic human values in Vietnam
Authors: Różycka-Tran Joanna , Khanh Ha , Cieciuch Jan , Schwartz Shalom H.
Published: March 2017

Background

The article presents the first assessment of the structure and hierarchy of values using the Schwartz theory in Vietnam. Given the near-universal prevalence of the structure of values, we expected this to be found in Vietnam as well. Regarding the hierarchy of values, we expected the hierarchies in the Vietnamese samples to be quite different from the pan-cultural baseline because of Vietnam’s traditional culture.

Participants and procedure

We administered a Vietnamese version of the Portrait Value Questionnaire (PVQ-40) to adult respondents in three regions, Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon (n = 521), Hue (n = 538), and Hanoi (n = 533).

Results

Multidimensional scaling (MDS) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) analyses of the total sample and the samples from each region supported the theorized circular structure. However, it was necessary to combine some adjacent values in the circle in each sample. The hierarchies of values in the samples differed substantially from the pan-cultural hierarchy identified by Schwartz and Bardi. The values exhibited partial scalar invariance across the three regional samples, justifying comparisons of means.

Conclusions

We discuss the differences in value hierarchies among regions and between Vietnam and other countries by examining the cultural, historical, and social structural characteristics specific to Vietnam and its regions. In future research, it would be worthwhile to explore causes, processes and consequences of the values in Vietnam.
Self-healing juvenile cutaneous mucinosis
Authors: Kołodziejczyk Beata , Gazda Agnieszka , Hernik Elżbieta , Szczygielska Izabela , Rutkowska-Sak Lidia , Koprowska Marta Legatowicz
Published: March 2017

Girl, aged 4 years old, began the disease with pain of the lower extremities, fever up to 38°C and signs of upper airway infection. Then the patient developed oedema and redness of the whole face, thickened skin, subcutaneous nodular foldings of the frontal, occipital, cervical and axillary regions, extensor areas of the joints; fine, hard whitish nodules in the frontal region and over interphalangeal joints of the hands, pruritus; oedemas of the ankles, knees and joints of the hands, cervical lymphadenopathy and hepatomegaly. Blood tests at the moment of the diagnosis revealed elevation of markers of inflammation as ESR and CRP, leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, hypoalbuminemia, and hyper-alfa-2-globulinemia. Histopathological examination of the skin biopsy specimen and subcutaneous tissue revealed myxoid subcutaneous tissue located under the dermis and a section consisting of myxoid mesenchymal tissue with inflammatory infiltration by histiocytic cells. The presence of acid mucopolysaccharides in fields of the myxoid tissue was also observed. The self-healing juvenile cutaneous mucinosis (SJCM) was diagnosed.
Completing the Revolution? The United States and Bolivia’s Long Revolution
Authors: Lehman Kenneth D.
Published: March 2017

James Malloy’s 1970 study, still one of the most systematic analytical attempts in English to understand Bolivia’s 1952 National Revolution, argued that the revolution remained “uncompleted.” However, the election and subsequent policies of the Morales government after 2005 moved Bolivia much closer to completing two important stated objectives of the revolution, as yet unfulfilled when Malloy wrote: inclusion of all Bolivians in the political system and increased national autonomy. While it is premature to call Bolivia’s revolution “completed,” the shift in the locus of power from Europeanized elites to more broadly popular forces and the growing independence of Bolivia from outside influence and direction under Morales are key achievements of what might be called Bolivia’s “Long Revolution.” Giving close attention to these two fundamental achievements—inclusion and autonomy—this paper provides a preliminary examination of the complicated and often paradoxical role the United States has played in Bolivia’s long historical trajectory since April 1952. Directly and indirectly, through imposition and suggestion, purposefully and unintentionally, by providing assistance and at the same time stimulating fierce nationalist resistance, through design and through the twists and turns of historical contingency—the United States has contributed to Bolivia’s slow revolutionary transformation. But patterns of imposition and resistance continue and this paper argues that it is time for the United States to examine its assumptions so that the two nations can escape the cyclical patterns of the past.
La Mariposa Mundial: revista de literatura
Authors: Mariposa Mundial BSJ
Published: March 2017

Revista Mariposa Mundial
Natural Determinant Stimuli and Agroforestry Benefit Stimuli for Developing Medical Agro-Industry of Kerinci Society in Sebelat Kerinci National Park
Authors: Batubara Mustopa Marli
Published: March 2017

Natural and benefit stimulus are important in doing the conservation action in order to achieve the conservation goals. Kerinci community who live in  the Kerinci Sebelat National Park showed the activities of agroforestry in natural and benefits stimuli. The result showed that there were seven plants that could be done by using agroforestry way of planting called pelak. They are cinnamon, coffee/ kawa, ginger, durian, mangosteen, potatoes and corn which indicated the medication content with the highest cultural values. Next, Those seven plants can be used as the raw material of the natural agro-industry medication to increase the society’s income. The society of Kerinci get used to use those plants to cure diseases such as dysentery, rheumatic, diarrhea, flu, stomached,  heart disease, back pain, chest pain, fever, colds, appetite problem, wound, fever, bleeding gums, burns, diabetes, blood pressure problems, and as antidote.
La simulación como estrategia didáctica para desarrollar comprensión en la asignatura Historia. Intervención didáctica realizada en Educación Secundaria
Authors: Orozco Alvarado Julio César , Díaz Pérez Adolfo Alejandro
Published: March 2017

La presente investigación es una innovación socio-educativa que se llevó a cabo en el Colegio Público Esquipulas de Managua, se realizó con el propósito de aplicar estrategias didácticas innovadoras para generar comprensión en la disciplina Historia, a fin de que los maestros reviertan la apatía y rechazo que los estudiantes tienen acerca de la enseñanza-aprendizaje de la historia, al considerarla tradicionalista, tediosa y poco motivadora. La innovación pedagógica se realizó a través de una intervención didáctica basada en la investigación acción, y que contó de diez sesiones de clase, en donde los estudiantes manifestaron sus comprensiones a través de la verbalización de los saberes, participación activa y respondieron de forma acertada las distintas evaluaciones aplicadas durante el proceso de intervención didáctica. El objetivo de la presente investigación se logró entre otras, con la realización de la simulación del contenido Lucha de Sandino.
Evaluación de la calidad del servicio de transporte urbano colectivo intramunicipal por los usuarios de la ciudad de Estelí, año 2016
Authors: Benavidez Vásquez Aleyda Lourdes , Mendoza Castillo Josué Enmanuel , Zelaya López Lesther Agustín , Castillo Herrera Beverly
Published: March 2017

El presente estudio Evalúa la calidad del servicio de transporte urbano colectivo intramunicipal en la ciudad de Estelí para la satisfacción de los usuarios en el año 2016. El servicio presenta deficiencias para los usuarios en función de la calidad física de las unidades (puertas abiertas, falta de higiene, asientos deteriorados) y de la calidad de la atención a los usuarios (exceso de pasajeros, trato inadecuado, inseguridad, violencia).Esta investigación es de tipo cuantitativa con un universo de estudio de 379 usuarios del transporte, 31 conductores y 58 ayudantes. Se utilizaron encuestas, entrevistas y guías de observación como herramientas de evaluación. La hipótesis de la investigación se basó en que la baja calidad del servicio de transporte urbano colectivo intramunicipal incide en la satisfacción del usuario, además se hace énfasis en las debilidades más urgentes expuestas por los usuarios así como de las vulnerabilidades del servicio y sus faltas más frecuentes tales como la poca o nula supervisión por parte de las autoridades. Se sugiere que se implementen estrategias de mejora como un método más moderno de cobro por ejemplo cobro electrónico además de mejorar las condiciones de las paradas de los autobuses y demás mejoras estéticas del servicio, los principales resultados obtenidos con este estudio es que a pesar de las notorias deficiencias del servicio hay una alto margen de aceptación por parte de los usuarios en cuanto a la calidad del servicio, ya que en comparación con el servicio de otras ciudades, Estelí cuenta con uno de los mejores.
The Effect of Foreign Portfolio Equity Sales on Stock Returns in Kenya: Evidence from NSE Listed Financial Institutions
Authors: Koskei Loice
Published: March 2017

Fluctuations of foreign portfolio equity intensify risk and unpredictability in financial institutions leading to high volatility. The main aim of this study was to find out the effect of foreign portfolio equity outflows on stock returns of listed financial institutions in Kenya. The study population was 21 financial institutions listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. Using purposive sampling technique the study concentrated on 14 financial institutions. The research design of the study was causal as it is concerned more with understanding the connection between cause and effect relationships. The study adopted panel data regression using the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method where the data included time series and cross-sectional. A unit root test was carried in this study to examine stationarity of variables because it used panel data which combined both cross-sectional and time series information. Panel estimation results indicated that foreign portfolio equity outflows have no effect on stock returns of listed financial institutions in Kenya. The study recommended implementation of policies that would curb foreign portfolio outflows in financial institutions in order to minimize reversals of foreign portfolio investments.
The Effect of Foreign Portfolio Equity Purchases on Security Returns in Kenya: Evidence from NSE Listed Financial Institutions
Authors: Koskei Loice
Published: March 2017

Foreign portfolio inflows increase the liquidity and the volume of finance available for financial institutions. At the same time, as foreign portfolio inflows finances in part the capital requirements of local companies, it can also increase the competitiveness of these companies. A huge surge of the inflows can be very inflationary because this forces the Central Bank of Kenya to expand the country’s monetary base by releasing counterpart domestic currency which eventually feeds into the inflationary process. The main aim of this study was to find out the effect of international portfolio equity purchases on security returns of listed financial institutions in Kenya. The study population was 21 financial institutions listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. Using purposive sampling technique the study concentrated on 14 financial institutions. The research design of the study was causal as it is concerned more with understanding the connection between cause and effect relationships. The study adopted panel data regression using the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method where the data included time series and cross-sectional. A unit root test was carried in this study to examine stationarity of variables because it used panel data which combined both cross-sectional and time series information. Panel estimation results indicated that international portfolio equity purchases have no effect on stock returns of listed financial institutions in Kenya. The study recommended implementation of regulations and policies that would attract foreign portfolio equity inflows in financial institutions.
Promoting Mathematical Connections Using Three-Dimensional Manipulatives
Authors: Safi Farshid , Desai Siddhi
Published: March 2017

Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All (NCTM 2014) gives teachers access to an insightful, research-informed framework that outlines ways to promote reasoning and sense making. Specifically, as students transition on their mathematical journey through middle school and beyond, their knowledge and use of representations should continually develop in complexity and scope. “[Students] will need to be able to convert flexibly among these representations. Much of the power of mathematics comes from being able to view and operate on objects from different perspectives” (NCTM 2000, p. 361). In fact, when students represent, discuss, and make connections among different mathematical ideas by using different methods, they engage in deeper sense making and improve their problem-solving skills while refining their mathematical understanding (Fuson, Kalchman, and Bransford 2005; Lesh, Post, and Behr 1987).
JAOA/AACOM. Single Accreditation System Update: Gaining Momentum
Authors: Buser Boyd R. , Swartwout James , Lischka Terri , Biszewski Maura , DeVine Kathy
Published: March 2017

In July 2014, the American Osteopathic Association House of Delegates endorsed the establishment of a new, single graduate medical education accreditation system in collaboration with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. Since that time, the osteopathic medical community has made substantial headway in the transition to the new system. This article provides an update on the transition.
The Relationship between EFL Teachers’ Critical Thinking and Use of Motivational Strategies
Authors: Parsi Gholamreza
Published: March 2017

The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between EFL teachers’ critical thinking and use of motivational strategies. The participants of this study were 101 EFL teachers. These teachers were both male and female between 21 to 36 years old, and they taught intermediate and advanced levels and varied in their experience from 3 to 17 years. They were chosen randomly from private language schools in Mashhad and two questionnaires were given to them: A questionnaire to evaluate the use of motivational strategies (Cheng and Dornyei, 2007) and another questionnaire to estimate their critical thinking (Honey, 2000).To fulfill the objective of the study, a Spearman Rank Order Correlational analysis was conducted to investigate any significant relationship between the two variables. The results showed that there is no correlation between critical thinking and motivational strategies. This result may help teacher educators to consider the relationship of critical thinking and teachers’ use of motivational strategies as an integral part of the teaching and learning process in teacher training courses.
Основы математической теории генетического кода, "Доклады Академии наук"
Authors: Козлов Н.Н. , Энеев Т. М.
Published: March 2017

Данная работа проведена в русле многолетних исследований авторов по биоматематике (см. [1]). Одно направление исследований было связано с разработкой нового направления современной биоматематики - математической теории генетического кода. Основы этой теории представлены ниже. Приведенные результаты не обнаружены авторами в публикациях других исследователей.
К теореме Хейде на некоторых локально компактных абелевых группах, "Доклады Академии наук"
Authors: Фельдман Г.М.
Published: March 2017

Согласно известной теореме Хейде, гауссовское распределение на вещественной прямой характеризуется симметрией условного распределения одной линейной формы от n независимых случайных величин при фиксированной второй. При n = 2 мы доказываем аналоги этой теоремы в случае, когда случайные величины принимают значения в локально компактной абелевой группе X, а коэффициенты линейных форм - топологические автоморфизмы группы X.
Новые полимерные композиты на основе кератина и полиэтилена, "Доклады Академии наук"
Authors: Прут Э.В. , Смыковская Р. С. , Кузнецова О.П. , Дерябина Ю.И. , Волик В. Г. , Берлин А.А.
Published: March 2017

Под действием сдвиговых деформаций получены новые биоразлагаемые композиты на основе кератина и полиэтилена. Показано, что введение кератина приводит к росту модуля упругости и снижению предельной прочности и удлинения при разрыве получаемых композиций. Установлено, что удлинение при разрыве р зависит от дисперсности кератина, причем наибольшие показатели р наблюдаются у композиций, содержащих кератин с меньшим размером частиц. Показано, что исследуемые композиции подвержены воздействию плесневых грибов, т.е обладают способностью к биодеструкции.
Результаты геохронологического и изотопно-геохимического изучения циркона из туфов сылвицкой серии (западный склон Среднего Урала): к происхождению пепловых прослоев в вендских толщах Восточно-Европейской платформы, "Доклады Академии наук"
Authors: Кузнецов Н.Б. , Белоусова Е.А. , Крупенин М.Т. , Романюк Т.В. , Маслов А.В.
Published: March 2017

Приведены новые данные о (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb-изотопном возрасте, Hf-изотопных характеристиках и содержаниях элементов-примесей в цирконах из вулканических туфов сылвицкой серии верхнего венда западного склона Среднего Урала.
Источники верхнепротерозойских и нижнепалеозойских терригенных отложений Малохинганского террейна Центрально-Азиатского складчатого пояса: результаты геохронологических U-Pb(LA-ICP-MS)-исследований детритовых цирконов, "Доклады Академии наук"
Authors: Смирнова Ю.Н. , Сорокин А.А.
Published: March 2017

Впервые установлен возраст детритовых цирконов из песчаников и алевропесчаников условно верхнепротерозойских-кембрийских отложений, объединяемых в хинганскую серию и являющихся одними из наиболее древних образований в строении Малохинганского террейна восточной части Центрально-Азиатского складчатого пояса. На основании полученных данных и соотношений с гранитоидами установлено, что возраст мурандавской и подстилающей ее игинчинской свит поздний рифей-венд, а кимканской - поздний кембрий-ранний ордовик. С учетом того, что мурандавская и игинчинская свиты, с одной стороны, и кимканская толща - с другой, имеют существенно разный возраст и разделены этапом гранитоидного магматизма, проявившегося на рубеже венда-кембрия, следует признать, что их нельзя рассматривать в качестве единой осадочной последовательности.
Постсейсмические движения после симуширских землетрясений 2006-2007 гг. на различных стадиях сейсмического цикла, "Доклады Академии наук"
Authors: Лобковский Л.И. , Владимирова И.С. , Габсатаров Ю.В. , Гарагаш И.А. , Баранов Б.В. , Стеблов Г.М.
Published: March 2017

Проводится исследование многолетних спутниковых геодезических наблюдений после Симуширских землетрясений 2006-2007 гг. Применение клавишной концепции строения островодужных регионов в сочетании с моделью нестационарной конвективной системы в верхней мантии позволяет найти взаимосогласованное объяснение наблюдаемых движений земной поверхности и выделить сегменты островной дуги, находящиеся на различных стадиях сейсмического цикла.
Последовательность длинного концевого повтора ретротранспозона МДГ4 содержит сайт связывания белка MAD, усиливающий EAST-зависимую репрессию, "Доклады Академии наук"
Authors: Головнин А.К. , Молодина В.В. , Георгиев П.Г. , Мельникова Л.С.
Published: March 2017

Ранее мы показали, что в модельной системе гена yellow D. melanogaster увеличение концентрации белка EAST приводит к возникновению репрессии в щетинках, механизм которой оставался неизученным. В настоящей работе с помощью генетических методов в последовательности длинных концевых повторов ретротранспозона МДГ4 был локализован инвертированный повтор, включающий сайт связывания белка Mad, ключевого компонента сигнального каскада TGF- /BMP. Результаты работы позволяют предположить, что белок Mad рекрутирует на хроматин регуляторный комплекс, функционально взаимодействующий с белком EAST. Такой комплекс либо самостоятельно подавляет экспрессию гена yellow в щетинках, либо перемещает трансген в области ядра с высокой концентрацией факторов, репрессирующих транскрипцию.
Генерация радикальной формы дипиридамола при освещении фотосинтетических реакционных центров Rb. sphaeroides, "Доклады Академии наук"
Authors: Нокс П.П. , Тимофеев К. Н. , Горохов В.В. , Сейфуллина Н.Х. , Рубин А.Б.
Published: March 2017

При исследовании влияния вазодилататора, антиагреганта и ингибитора P-гликопротеина дипиридамола (ДИП) на функционирование трансмембранного белка фотореакционного центра (РЦ) Rb. sphaeroides обнаружили, что при активации РЦ постоянным светом генерируется ка-тион-радикал ДИП, который существенно влияет на кинетику рекомбинации разделенных между фотоактивным бактериохлорофиллом и хинонными акцепторами зарядов. Таким образом, антиоксидантные свойства ДИП могут влиять на активность функциональных мембранных белков, и это, по-видимому, надо учитывать при изучении механизмов терапевтического действия этого препарата.
Gravity and zonal flows of giant planets: From the Euler equation to the thermal wind equation
Authors: Cao Hao , Stevenson David J.
Published: March 2017

Any nonspherical distribution of density inside planets and stars gives rise to a nonspherical external gravity and change of shape. If part or all of the observed zonal flows at the cloud deck of Jupiter and Saturn represent deep interior dynamics, then the density perturbations associated with the deep zonal flows could generate gravitational signals detectable by the Juno mission and the Cassini Grand Finale. Here we present a critical examination of the applicability of the thermal wind equation to calculate the wind‐induced gravity moments. Our analysis shows that wind‐induced gravity moments calculated from the thermal wind equation (TWE) are in overall agreement with the full solution to the Euler equation. However, the accuracy of individual high‐degree moments calculated from TWE depends crucially on retaining the nonsphericity of the background density and gravity. Only when the background nonsphericity of the planet is taken into account does the TWE make accurate enough prediction (with a few tens of percent errors) for individual high‐degree gravity moments associated with deep zonal flows. Since the TWE is derived from the curl of the Euler equation and is a local relation, it necessarily says nothing about any density perturbations that contribute irrotational terms to the Euler equation and that have a nonlocal origin. However, the predicted corrections from these density contributions to the low harmonic degree gravity moments are not discernible from insignificant changes in interior models, while the corrections at high harmonic degree are very small, a few percent or less.
Effect of phase separation on water resistance of green waterborne polyurethanes: Unexpected stronger impact compared to hydrophilic segments
Authors: Xiao Yao , Bao Lixia , Fu Xiaowei , Wu Bo , Kong Weibo , Zhou Changlin , Lei Jingxin
Published: March 2017

Effect of phase separation on the water resistance of green waterborne polyurethanes was discussed for the first time. Phase separation was studied through the application of dynamic mechanical analysis. Water resistance was characterized by water absorption ratio and water contact angle. The results showed that the phase separation had stronger effect on water resistance compared with the content of hydrophilic segments of green waterborne polyurethanes; higher phase separation degree led to better water resistance even though the content of hydrophilic segments increased. And, fluorescence microscope images of fluorescent dye inside the green waterborne polyurethane films justified this viewpoint.
Bubbled RNA‐Based Cargo for Boosting RNA Interference
Authors: Kim Hyejin , Jeong Jaepil , Kim Dajeong , Kwak Gijung , Kim Sun Hwa , Lee Jong Bum
Published: March 2017

As ribonucleic acid (RNA) nanotechnology has advanced, it has been applied widely in RNA‐based therapeutics. Among the range of approaches, enzymatically synthesized RNA structures for inducing RNA interference in cancer cells have potential for silencing genes in a target‐specific manner. On the other hand, the efficiency of gene silencing needs to be improved to utilize the RNA‐based system for RNAi therapeutics. This paper introduces a new approach for efficient generation of siRNA from bubbled RNA‐based cargo (BRC). The presence of bubbles in between to avoid nonfunctional short dsRNAs allows the RNA‐based cargoes to contain multiple Dicer‐cleavage sites to release the functional siRNAs when introduced to cells. BRCs can be synthesized easily in a one‐pot process and be purified by simple centrifugation. Furthermore, efficient target gene silencing by the bubbled structure is confirmed both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, this bubbled RNA cargo system can be utilized for target‐specific RNAi therapeutics with high efficiency in the generation of functional siRNAs in the target cells.
Printed Organic Inverter Circuits with Ultralow Operating Voltages
Authors: Shiwaku Rei , Matsui Hiroyuki , Hayasaka Kazuma , Takeda Yasunori , Fukuda Takashi , Kumaki Daisuke , Tokito Shizuo
Published: March 2017

Low‐voltage circuit operation is one of the primary requirements for the practical use of printed electronic devices employing organic thin‐film transistors, in particular, the driving of devices with power supplied by energy harvesting using organic solar cells or biofuel cells, which require low‐voltage operation, typically below 1 V. This study reports on printed organic inverter circuits that operate at 0.3 V with negligible hysteresis, a gain of greater than 10, and rail‐to‐rail input and output operation, by utilizing a blend of 2,7‐dihexyl‐dithieno[2,3‐d:2′,3′‐d′]benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene and polystyrene. The ultralow voltage operation of these circuits can be attributed to its finely tunable turn‐on voltage, low trap density, ohmic contacts, and minimal channel length modulation coefficients. Moreover, these organic inverter circuit arrays exhibit high uniformity with an average switching voltage of 0.32 ± 0.03 V. As a result, printed organic devices with ultralow operating voltages can be realized with exceptional reproducibility, helping to further the potential of printed electronic applications based on ultralow power organic devices in the future Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem.
A de novo nonsense mutation in ZBTB18 plus a de novo 15q13.3 microdeletion in a 6‐year‐old female
Authors: Ehmke Nadja , Karge Sylvio , Buchmann Johannes , Korinth Dirk , Horn Denise , Reis Olaf , Häßler Frank
Published: March 2017

ZBTB18 has been proposed as candidate gene for microcephaly and abnormalities of the corpus callosum based on overlapping microdeletions of 1q43q44. More recently, de novo mutations of ZBTB18 have been identified in patients with syndromic and non‐syndromic intellectual disability. Heterozygous microdeletions of 15q13.3 encompassing the candidate gene CHRNA7 are associated with developmental delay or intellectual disability with speech problems, hypotonia, and seizures. They are characterized by significant variability and reduced penetrance. We report on a patient with a de novo ZBTB18 nonsense mutation and a de novo 15q13.3 microdeletion, both in a heterozygous state, identified by next generation sequencing and array‐CGH. The 6‐year‐old girl showed global developmental delay, absent speech, therapy‐refractory seizures, ataxia, muscular hypotonia, and discrete facial dysmorphisms. Almost all of these features have been reported for both genetic aberrations, but the severity could hardly been explained by the microdeletion 15q13.3 alone. We assume an additive effect of haploinsufficiency of ZBTB18 and CHRNA7 in our patient. Assembling the features of our patient and the published patients, we noted that only one of them showed mild anomalies of the corpus callosum. Moreover, we hypothesize that nonsense mutations of ZBTB18 are associated with a more severe phenotype than missense mutations. This report indicates that haploinsufficiency of additional genes beside ZBTB18 causes the high frequency of corpus callosum anomalies in patients with microdeletions of 1q43q44 and underlines the importance of an NGS‐based molecular diagnostic in complex phenotypes.
ZC4H2 deletions can cause severe phenotype in female carriers
Authors: Zanzottera Cristina , Milani Donatella , Alfei Enrico , Rizzo Ambra , D'Arrigo Stefano , Esposito Susanna , Pantaleoni Chiara
Published: March 2017

ZC4H2 is involved in human brain development, and, if mutated, can be responsible for a rare X‐linked disorder, originally presented in literature as Wieacker–Wolff syndrome and Miles–Carpenter syndrome. In males, severe intellectual disability is associated with variable symptoms of central and peripheral nervous system involvement, such as spasticity, hyperreflexia, muscle weakness, and arthrogryposis. Female carriers are usually described as asymptomatic or only mildly affected. Here, we report on a girl carrying a de novo deletion of ZC4H2 detected by array‐CGH analysis. She showed a complex neurodevelopmental disorder resembling the clinical picture commonly observed in male patients. X‐inactivation was found to be random. Additionally, she had an unusual appearance of fingers and hand creases, and electromyography showed a peculiar pattern of both neurogenic and myopathic anomalies. The present patient confirms that female carriers can also be severely affected. Systematic clinical investigations of both males and females are needed to define the variety in nature and severity of phenotypes related to ZC4H2 variants.
Clinical features of trisomy 12 mosaicism—Report and review
Authors: Hong Bo , Zunich Janice , Openshaw Amanda , Toydemir Reha M.
Published: March 2017

Trisomy 12 mosaicism is a rare condition. Herein, we report a patient with mosaic trisomy 12 who was conceived by in vitro fertilization. She presented with mild dysmorphic features at birth, including down‐slanting palpebral fissures, a depressed and creased nasal bridge, and mild rhizomelic shortening of the limbs. She had age‐appropriate development at 6 months of age, but displayed slightly more dysmorphic features than at birth. Chromosome analysis on peripheral blood revealed a normal female karyotype in 50 metaphases. A concurrent genomic microarray analysis showed trisomy 12 in about 25% of the specimen, which was also confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis with the CEP12 probe. Our findings further delineate the clinical features in trisomy 12 mosaicism in liveborns and demonstrate the utility of genomic microarray analysis in identification of mosaic aneuploidies.
Parasites of orangutans (primates: ponginae): An overview
Authors: Nurcahyo Wisnu , Konstanzová Veronika , Foitová Ivona
Published: March 2017

Wild orangutan populations exist in an increasingly fragile state. As numbers continue to decline and populations became fragmented, the overall health of remaining individuals becomes increasingly at risk. Parasitic infections can have a serious impact on the health of wild orangutans, and can be fatal. It has been reported that rehabilitated individuals demonstrate a higher prevalence of parasitic diseases, and it is possible that they may spread these infections to wild orangutans upon reintroduction. In order to ensure the success of reintroduction and conservation efforts, it is crucial to understand the potential risks by fully understanding what parasites they have been reported to be infected with. Using this knowledge, future conservation strategies can be adapted to minimize the risk and prevalence of parasite transmission in the remaining orangutan populations. There is still limited information available on orangutan parasites, with several still not identified to the species level. Based on comprehensive literature review, we found 51 parasite taxa known to infect wild, semi‐wild, and captive orangutans, including newly reported species. Here, we summarize methods used to identify parasites and draw conclusions relative to their reported prevalence. We also recommend fecal sample preservation and analytical methods to obtain best result in the future.