bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards an Evaluation Model of Trust and Reputation Management Systems
Authors: Janiszewski Marek
Published: November 2017

The paper presents a set of concepts which can establish a basis for the creation of new evaluation model of trust and reputation management systems (TRM). The presented approach takes into account essential characteristics of such systems to provide an assessment of its robustness. The model also specifies measures of effectiveness of trust and reputation systems. There is still a need to create a comprehensive evaluation model of attacks on trust and reputation management systems and evaluation model of TRM systems itself, which could facilitate establishing a framework to deeply evaluate the security of existing TRM systems. We believe that this paper could be perceived as a small step forward towards this goal.
Current Account Deficits in the EU Candidate and Potential Candidate Countries: A Panel Analysis
Authors: Bucevska Vesna
Published: November 2017

This paper presents an empirical investigation of a large number of potentially significant determinants of current account deficits in five EU candidate and potential candidate countries (Albania, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey) in the period 2005 Q1-2015 Q4. Using panel regression techniques we find that current account imbalances in the EU candidate and potential candidate countries are mainly determined by real GDP growth rate and the degree of trade integration. Other factors that have a significant impact on current account balances include relative per capita income, crude oil trade balance and level of financial development. Interestingly, the status of the observed country (an EU candidate or a potential candidate country) does not have any effect on the current account balance. It is expected that further economic and financial development of the EU candidate and pre-accession would encourage domestic saving and contribute to improvement of their current account positions.
Improving Regional Competitiveness in the Light of Endogenous Growth Theory Recommendations
Authors: Jovović David
Published: November 2017

Competitiveness of a region shows its ability to generate adequate amount of exports, on the one hand, and to ensure full employment and rising income levels of workers, on the other hand. In this context, it follows that productivity growth of locally-oriented economic activities is decisive for improving regional competitiveness. The paper starts with the premise that to understand the nature of the phenomenon of regional competitiveness, it is of great importance to know the basic theoretical postulates of endogenous growth theory. The paper examines the most significant messages of the theories of endogenous growth for the policy of regional competitiveness development (the growth of investment in education, training, research and development, i.e. investments in factors that decisively contribute to the commercialisation of knowledge in innovations). The aim of the paper is to present how each of these mechanisms influences the growing efficiency of accumulation of factors of regional economic growth, thanks to manifestation of various external effects. The importance of research is reflected in the quotation of conclusions of the supporters of endogenous explanation of growth that no economic convergence is necessary at all. In a word, economically more superior regions can smoothly improve competitiveness and raise the living standards of their inhabitants, while economically less developed regions can always be poor and insufficiently competitive. This is also a very strong message of the creators of regional policies.
Regulating the rooting process of rose softwood cuttings by foliar citric and malic acid spray on stock plants
Authors: Ghazijahani Noushin , Hadavi Ebrahim , Hwang Chul Hwan , Jeong Byoung Ryong
Published: November 2017

We evaluated the effects of spraying different concentrations of citric and malic acids on stock plants in the greenhouse prior to the propagation and rooting of rose (Rosa × hybrida ‘Love Letter’) cuttings. Malic and citric acids (3, 6 and 9 mM) were sprayed several times at 14-day intervals on rose plants in a commercial cut flower producing greenhouse. Single-node cuttings taken from flowering stems were rooted under misty conditions, and the rooting parameters including root count and dry root weight were measured. A distinct change was observed in rooting features in response to the applied organic acids. Malic acid significantly enhanced rooting at the intermediate concentration while retarding it at both the higher and lower concentrations. On the other hand, the effect of citric acid was best at the highest concentration applied. We conclude that in softwood cuttings taken from rose plants these organic acids can act as a potential alternative to the currently applied methods of promoting rooting.
The position of determiners in Ancient Greek and Luwian: Between syntax and information flow
Authors: Giusfredi Federico
Published: November 2017

The present paper explores the positional (and syntactic) behavior of determiners in Luwian, a very archaic article-free Indo-European Anatolian language which relied on a limited set of demonstratives, as well as in some specific constructions of Ancient Greek, an Indo-European language with definite articles and with a relatively “free” word order. Its aim is to highlight the structural differences and analogies between these languages. The present contribution will employ a framework-independent approach in investigating aspects of the combinatory constraints of determiners and determiner phrases. It will interpret these constraints as syntactic filters that regulate the interaction between syntax and information flow. The results will highlight how this model of interpretation can be applied even to languages that resort to different strategies to encode definiteness.
Changes in synovial fluid biomarkers after experimental equine osteoarthritis
Authors: Ma Tian-wen , Li Yue , Wang Guan-ying , Li Xin-ran , Jiang Ren-li , Song Xiao-peng , Zhang Zhi-heng , Bai Hui , Li Xin , Gao Li
Published: November 2017

Introduction: The study aimed to clarify the changes in the concentration of inflammatory mediators, proteases, and cartilage degradation biomarkers in the synovial fluid of joints in an equine osteoarthritis model.

Material and Methods: Osteoarthritis was induced in eight Mongolian horses by a sterile intra-articular injection of amphotericin B, which was injected into the left carpal joint in a dose of 2 mL (25 mg/mL). The control group comprised five horses which were injected with an equal dose of sterile physiological saline into the left carpal joint. Synovial fluid was obtained at baseline and every week after injection. Test methods were based on ELISA.

Results: In the course of the osteoarthritis, the concentration of biomarkers in joint synovial fluid showed an increasing trend. IL-1, IL-6, MMP-9, MMP-13, ADAMTS-5, CS846, GAG, HA, CTX-II, and COMP concentrations sharply increased before the onset of significant symptoms of lameness, whereas TNF-α, MMP-2, and MMP-3 concentrations rose sharply after the occurrence of such symptoms.

Conclusion: The results obtained confirm that the concentrations of IL-1, IL-6, MMP-9, MMP-13, ADAMTS-5, CS846, GAG, HA, CTX-II and COMP increase substantially in equine osteoarthritis, which provides a theoretical basis for the rapid diagnosis of the disease.
The role of the nurse in improving health literacy among older adults
Authors: Kolar Tina Razlag , Kaučič Boris Miha , Kolnik Tamara Štemberger
Published: November 2017

Introduction. The level of health literacy tells us how an individual functions within the healthcare system, how well he or she understands the instructions connected to health care, and how he or she looks after own health. However, at the same time, it can be an indicator of how healthy an individual is going to be in the future. In our research we wanted to establish the role of a nurse in improving health literacy among older adults.

Method. The research was based on a quantitative research approach, using descriptive method. Data were collected with the interviewing technique. As a measuring instrument, a questionnaire formed on the basis of the review of domestic and foreign, professional and scientific literature, was used. We used a non-random purposive pattern, in which we included 148 older adults aged 65 years and above, who live in different residential environments and do not suffer from dementia. There were 140 correctly completed questionnaires, which represent a 94% realization of the sample. The data were analyzed by statistical program SPSS 22.0.

Results. Older adults who took part in the research have achieved limited health literacy in the fields of general health literacy (AV=27.0), healthcare (AV=26.2), disease prevention (AV=28.8) and health promotion (AV=26.6). In the field of nurse counseling they achieved sufficient health literacy (AV=34.6).

Discussion and conclusion. Health literacy is one of the factors that significantly affect the quality of life of older adults. We established that older adults who took part in the research have limited health literacy. The nurses can significantly contribute to improving the health literacy of older adults through health-educational work and health promotion. In the future, the role of the nurse in health promotion will have to become more prominent, particularly through their work in reference clinics and reference centers for health promotion.
Direct coercion – challenges for nursing practice
Authors: Karcz Edyta , Zimmermann Agnieszka
Published: November 2017

Introduction. Direct coercion is a part of medical intervention in which the patient’s autonomy as a basic human right is limited. In clinical practice, there are situations in which the use of coercion is indeed necessary to protect the patient and his/her environment against the effects of growing aggression. A very important element of action in such cases is to ensure the safety of both the patient through professional care, and of the personel executing the coercive measure.

Aim. The aim of this thesis is to analyze the legal scope and applicability of coercive measures in nursing practice.

Method. The exegesis of a legal text was used, which allows to present the legal conditions and rules of conduct in case of using direct coercion in psychiatric institutions and non-psychiatric units.

Conclusions. Regardless of the type of institution, the decision to use direct coercion should be carefully considered in terms of both the patient’s good and safety. This is a unique operation. It should be done in accordance with legal guidelines in this regard, what significantly determines the employees’ safety.
The Galician Ethnic Triangle and the Polish Big Oil Fiction
Authors: Antosik-Piela Maria
Published: November 2017

This article examines the Big Oil fiction, a type of novel which sprang up in Galicia in the last decades of the 19th century. Its practitioners – Artur Gruszecki, Sewer (Ignacy Maciejowski) and Stanisław Antoni Mueller – depicted the complex relations between the Poles, the Jews and the Ukrainians against the background of the Galician oil boom in the late 19th century and the rapid modernization of that remote corner of the Austrian Empire.
Distribution of Trematodes Cryptokotyle (Trematoda, Heterophyidae), in Fish of the Family Gobiidae in the Estuary Waters and the Black Sea in Southern Ukraine
Authors: Goncharov S. L. , Soroka N. M. , Pryima O. B. , Dubovyi A. I.
Published: November 2017

The article describes occurrence and distribution of Cryptocotyle trematodes in fish in the waters of the Dnipro-Buh estuary and the Black Sea in Mykolaiv and Odesa Region. Study was conducted in 2015-2016. Two trematode species were found in natural waters of these regions: Cryptocotyle cancavum Crepli, 1825 and Cryptocotyle jejuna Nicoll, 1907. Th e latter species has not been previously registered in this region in southern Ukraine. Varying intensity of infection with Cryptocotyle metacercariae was observed in fish of Gobiidae family: Mesogobius batrachocephalus Pallas, 1814, Neogobius melanostomum Pallas, 1814, N. fluviatialis Pallas, 1814. Th e most affected species was N. melanostomum, with the prevalence of infection 59.2 %. Less infected were N. fluviatialis and M. batrachocephalus, with the prevalence of infection 30.4 % and 17 % respectively. The intensity of infection was the highest in N. melanostomum - 211 metacercariae per fish, followed by N. fluviatialis and M. batrachocephalu - 124 and 89 metacercariae respectively. Cryptocotyle was the most prevalent in the Dnipro-Buh estuary (cape Adzhigol, Mykolaiv Region) and much less prevalent in the waters of the Black Sea in Mykolaiv and Odesa Regions. Mean prevalence of infection was 31.4 %.
Quantitative and Qualitative Composition of Diet of the Ural Owl, Strix Uralensi (Strigidae, Strigiformes), in the Central Part of European Russia (The Example of the Republic of Mordovia)
Authors: Andreychev A. , Lapshin A.
Published: November 2017

The results of the study of the Ural Owl feeding spectrum are presented. In Russia the Ural owl eats over twenty species of mammals, thirty bird species and a number of animals of other classes. The research tasks included the identification of the species of the victims of a large owl in Mordovia, their quantitative data and the characteristics of osteological material from pellets. It was found out that mammals, in particular rodents, are the basis for the Ural owl food. The Ural Owl’s diet consists mainly of gray voles (47.7 %). On the second place there is a red vole (31.4 %). The share of mice is only 7.3 %. Th e predator hunts for the forest mouse most oft en. In pellets the mass fraction of bone remains varies in the range from 3.4 to 44.8 %. Th e average proportion of bone remains is, as a rule, up to 25 %, with the content of only one or two small rodents in pellets; the remains of three to six individuals - up to 45 % of the weight of dry pellet. Among all the bones of mammals, the lower jaws, femoral and tibia bones give the greatest information about the number and composition of victims of the Ural owl. In pellets the brachial and nameless bones of the victims are presented in smaller numbers.
Shallow-Layer p-y Relationships for Micropiles Embedded in Saturated Medium Dense Sand Using Quasi-Static Test
Authors: Wang Xiaowei , Ye Aijun , Shafieezadeh Abdollah , Li Jianzhong
Published: November 2017

Micropiles are being increasingly used in existing structures for foundation rehabilitation and in new structures to enhance their seismic safety. For the seismic design of piles in sands, numerical models of piles under lateral loading using the p-y relationships proposed by the American Petroleum Institute (API) are widely used. However, the validity of this approach has been questioned by many researchers. In this regard, this study presents the development of experimental and numerical p-y relationships for shallow layers (depths less than 1.0 m) of micropiles in fully saturated medium-dense sands using a quasi-static test. A steel pipe was embedded into the sands and fixed at the bottom of the soil container. Lateral loads were applied on the pile head using the displacement-control technique. A piecewise-function–based p-y derivation method was adopted to develop the experimental p-y curves. Distributions of bending moment, shear force, soil reaction, rotation, and deflection along the pile are presented. Subsequently, bilinear shallow-layer p-y relationships are proposed. Test results show that experimental p-y curves for micropiles at the shallow depths are more flexible (lower initial stiffness) and stronger (greater strength) than those recommended by the API. The quasi-static test is then simulated using either the proposed bilinear p-y relationships or those recommended by the API. Results show that the global force-displacement relationship, bending moment distribution and lateral deflection of piles are accurately predicted by the proposed shallow-layer p-y relationships. By contrast, the conventional API p-y relationship reasonably predicts the lateral strength and maximum bending moment while overly predicting the depth-to-maximum bending moment of micropiles in saturated medium-dense sands.
Indigene und Cook. Der Tahitianer Omai (1751–1780) als Fallbeispiel für das Konzept des „Edlen Wilden“?
Authors: Kathrein Jakob Franz
Published: November 2017

During James Cook’s second voyage of discovery, a young Tahitian by the name of Omai (1751–1780) was taken aboard the Adventure, one of the two ships of this expedition. Omai travelled to England, where he was introduced into the British Upper Class and much admired as a living example of a noble and pure South Sea islander in tune with Mother Nature. Omai became accepted in the highest society circles, was painted by several great artists of the time and became part of the collective hype surrounding James Cook’s voyages of discovery and the new experiences with non-European cultures. This paper compares available scientific literature on this topic and aims to analyze the role of Omai as a historical figure and as the personification of the idealized European concept of the noble savage.
Endocannabinoid-Specific Impairment in Synaptic Plasticity in Striatum of Huntington's Disease Mouse Model
Authors: Sepers Marja D. , Smith-Dijak Amy , LeDue Jeff , Kolodziejczyk Karolina , Mackie Ken , Raymond Lynn A.
Published: November 2017

Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disease affecting predominantly striatum and cortex that results in motor and cognitive disorders. Before a motor phenotype, animal models of HD show aberrant cortical-striatal glutamate signaling. Here, we tested synaptic plasticity of cortical excitatory synapses onto striatal spiny projection neurons (SPNs) early in the YAC128 mouse model of HD. High-frequency stimulation-induced long-term depression, mediated by the endocannabinoid anandamide and cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1), was significantly attenuated in male and female YAC128 SPNs. Indirect pathway SPNs, which are more vulnerable in HD, were most affected. Our experiments show metabotropic glutamate receptor and endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol-dependent plasticity, as well as direct CB1 activation by agonists, was similar in YAC128 and FVB/N wild-type SPNs suggesting that presynaptic CB1 is functioning normally. These results are consistent with a specific impairment in postsynaptic anandamide synthesis in YAC128 SPN. Strikingly, although suppression of degradation of anandamide was not effective, elevating 2-arachidonoylglycerol levels restored long-term depression in YAC128 striatal neurons. Together, these results have potential implications for neuroprotection and ameliorating early cognitive and motor deficits in HD.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTHuntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disease with no cure. Recent studies find impairment of the endocannabinoid system in animal models but the functional implication for synaptic plasticity in HD remains unclear. Sepers et al. show a selective deficit in synaptic plasticity mediated by the endocannabinoid anandamide, but not 2-arachidonoylglycerol in a mouse model of HD. The deficit is rescued by selectively elevating levels of 2-arachidonoylglycerol produced on-demand. This mechanism could be targeted in the development of future therapeutics for HD.
Hamman’s syndrome in diabetic ketoacidosis
Authors: Pain Alexandra Rose , Pomroy Josh , Benjamin Andrea
Published: November 2017

Hamman’s syndrome (spontaneous subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum) is a rare complication of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), with a multifactorial etiology. Awareness of this syndrome is important: it is likely underdiagnosed as the main symptom of shortness of breath is often attributed to Kussmaul’s breathing and the findings on chest radiograph can be subtle and easily missed. It is also important to be aware of and consider Boerhaave’s syndrome as a differential diagnosis, a more serious condition with a 40% mortality rate when diagnosis is delayed. We present a case of pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium, epidural emphysema and subcutaneous emphysema complicating DKA in an eighteen-year-old patient. We hope that increasing awareness of Hamman’s syndrome, and how to distinguish it from Boerhaave’s syndrome, will lead to better recognition and management of these syndromes in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis.

Learning points:

Hamman’s syndrome (spontaneous subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum) is a rare complication of DKA.

Presentation may be with chest or neck pain and shortness of breath, and signs are subcutaneous emphysema and Hamman’s sign – a precordial crunching or popping sound during systole.

Boerhaave’s syndrome should be considered as a differential diagnosis, especially in cases with severe vomiting.

The diagnosis of pneumomediastinum is made on chest radiograph, but a CT thorax with water-soluble oral contrast looking for contrast leak may be required if there is high clinical suspicion of Boerrhave’s syndrome.

Hamman’s syndrome has an excellent prognosis, self-resolving with the correction of the ketoacidosis in all published cases in the literature.
The spectrum, incidence, kinetics and management of endocrinopathies with immune checkpoint inhibitors for metastatic melanoma
Authors: Scott Emma S , Long Georgina V , Guminski Alexander , Clifton-Bligh Roderick J , Menzies Alexander M , Tsang Venessa H
Published: November 2017

Objective

Endocrine immune-related adverse events (endocrinopathies) are increasingly prevalent with the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and other malignancies. There are no evidence-based guidelines for the screening or management of such patients. To describe the spectrum, incidence, kinetics and management of endocrinopathies with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Design

A prospective study conducted at Melanoma Institute Australia between April 2014 and October 2015.

Methods

A total of 177 patients were treated with (a) ipilimumab (n = 15), (b) anti-PD-1 (nivolumab, pembrolizumab) (n = 103) or (c) combination ipilimumab and anti-PD-1 (n = 59) and were screened and managed for the subsequent endocrinopathies. The main outcome measures were the incidence and kinetics of endocrinopathy by immunotherapy drug class.

Results

Thirty-one patients (18%) developed an endocrine immune-related adverse event (thyroid dysfunction: 14%, hypophysitis: 6% and autoimmune diabetes: 0.6%). Combination immunotherapy was more likely to result in a single or multiple endocrinopathy compared to anti-PD-1 monotherapy (27% vs 9% and 7% vs 0% respectively,P < 0.01). Endocrinopathies occurred after a median of 8 weeks from treatment commencement (range: 12–225 days), with combination immunotherapy resulting in significantly earlier onset compared to ipilimumab (median: 30 vs 76 days,P = 0.046). The majority of endocrinopathies were identified in asymptomatic patients with hormonal screening. There were no baseline predictors for endocrinopathy.

Conclusions

Combination immunotherapy has a greater risk of development of endocrinopathy compared to anti-PD-1 monotherapy. Regular biochemical profiling of patients, particularly within the first twelve weeks, results in early detection of endocrinopathy to minimise morbidity.
La atención a la diversidad cultural y de género en la formación del profesorado
Authors: Gómez-Jarabo Inmaculada , Sánchez Delgado Primitivo
Published: November 2017

La situación de las aulas obliga a investigar en profundidad los fenómenos violentos para dar una respuesta adecuada a los mismos. Los y las profesionales que trabajan en los centros educativos deben estar capacitados para elaborar e implementar planes de convivencia que redunden en la mejora del clima escolar, el tratamiento educativo de los conflictos y la atención a la diversidad étnica, cultural y de género. Se desarrolló una investigación sobre la “formación del profesorado para el tratamiento educativo de los conflictos sobre diversidad cultural y de género”. El objetivo de la investigación consistía en conocer si la formación del profesorado responde a las necesidades del actual contexto socioeducativo y reflexionar sobre si es necesaria su transformación y actualización o si, por el contrario, es preciso seguir trabajando en la misma línea que se viene haciendo. Para ello, se utilizó una metodología mixta de investigación. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto que aunque el profesorado participante en la investigación aprecia la diversidad y se manifiesta a favor de una escuela inclusiva que acoja a todo tipo de estudiantes, se aprecia que la formación que se les está proporcionando tiene carencias importantes en temas como la dinamización de grupos, el tratamiento de los conflictos, la violencia, la interculturalidad y el género.
La evaluación entre iguales: estudio de caso en la Universidad de las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Authors: Vera-Cazorla María Jesús
Published: November 2017

Este trabajo describe una experiencia docente en el uso de la evaluación entre iguales como herramienta para promover el aprendizaje autorregulado, favorecer la capacidad crítica, y aprender a aceptar y expresar las críticas de forma constructiva. Se ha llevado a cabo en los dos últimos cursos de Metodología de la enseñanza del inglés como lengua extranjera en el Grado de Lenguas Modernas de la Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Islas Canarias, España). El objetivo es valorar la opinión de los alumnos sobre este tipo de evaluación y su percepción sobre sus ventajas e inconvenientes. Para ello, se elaboró un cuestionario ad hoc con cinco preguntas abiertas. La mayoría del alumnado valora este sistema positivamente, ya que fomenta la reflexión sobre el propio aprendizaje, contribuye a la identificación de los criterios de evaluación y desarrolla la autocrítica. Entre los inconvenientes se mencionan el miedo al rechazo del grupo, la subjetividad y el desconocimiento de los criterios de evaluación.
Sunoikisis
Authors: Morell Kenneth Scott
Published: November 2017

This article chronicles the efforts of faculty members at the institutions of the Associated Colleges of the South (ACS) to create "Sunoikisis," a virtual department of Greek and Roman Studies. Because the ACS includes colleges in 12 states ranging from Texas to Virginia, the project relies heavily on the Internet. The long-term goal of the project is to expand the academic opportunities available to undergraduates at small liberal arts colleges for studying the languages, literatures, and material culture of the ancient Greco-Roman world. The article addresses the major phases in the evolution of the initiative: making initial steps to develop a sense of community and identify areas of possible collaboration, conducting workshops to train faculty members in the use of information technology, involving faculty members and students in an excavation and survey in southwestern Turkey, and launching Web-based interinstitutional collaborative courses (ICCs).
Perseus Project
Authors: Prince Steve
Published: November 2017

Eight lesson plans using materials developed for the Perseus Project suggest how this site may be used in the classroom. The plans also provide models for preparing students to make increasingly sophisticated use of the resources included in Perseus.
A Brief History of Video Feedback and its Role in Foreign Language Education
Authors: Tochon François
Published: November 2017

The paper reviews 25 years of experiences with video feedback. Video allows for "situated research," referring to lived experience for the purpose of understanding and reflection. Video has thus freed research from an exclusively laboratory-based approach and broadened its scope to include self-viewing and other-viewing in reflective groups. Video feedback offers one means of contributing to the intersubjective meaning-making process. As such, it constitutes one of the loci of validation of knowledge in professional growth. Video feedback can be seen as an applied semiotic process through which foreign language learners and teachers make sense of their actions. The resulting attention has implications for how language learning and teaching are conceived and studied at various levels.
Web 2.0, Synthetic Immersive Environments, and Mobile Resources for Language Education
Authors: Sykes Julie M. , Oskoz Ana , Thorne Steven L.
Published: November 2017

In light of the increasingly blurred line between mediated and nonmediated contexts for social, professional, and educational purposes, attention to the presence and use of innovative digital media is critical to the consideration of the future of computer-assisted language learning (CALL). This article reviews current trends in the use of mediated communication and offers a vision for near-future second and foreign language (L2) learning that utilizes emerging media as (a) meaningful contexts for L2 language development and (b) a means for adding real world relevance to in-class uses of internet-mediated communication tools. In this article, we first explore a sampling of Web 2.0 technologies (e.g., blogs, wikis, and social bookmarking) related to collaborative content building and dissemination of information. We then consider three types of 3-dimensional virtual environments, including open social virtualities (such as Second Life and There), massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs) (e.g., World of Warcraft, Everquest, and Eve Online), and synthetic immersive environments (SIEs, i.e., visually rendered spaces which combine aspects of open social virtualities with goal-directed gaming models to address specific learning objectives). In particular, we report on SIEs as they might be used to foster interlanguage pragmatic development and briefly report on an existing project in this area. The ultimate goal is to spark future research and pedagogical innovation in these areas of emerging digital media in order to arrive at a greater understanding of the complexities involved in their integration with language learning in ways that will be most relevant to the communicative contexts of the 21st century.
Individual Learner Differences in CALL
Authors: Chapelle Carol A. , Heift Trude
Published: November 2017

In Spring semester 2006, we conducted a study with 50 learners of German to investigate the use of a new measure (Cárdenas-Claros, 2005) for research on the field independent/dependent (FID) cognitive style and CALL use. After the measure was administered, students worked on a CALL program for German that logs interaction. This paper reports the reliability and item analysis of the FID-CALL measure in addition to its relationship with learners' behaviors in the CALL program. With the goal of understanding how FID intersects with satisfaction and success in learning through CALL, we suggest areas for future development of the measure.
Supporting Student Differences in Listening Comprehension and Vocabulary Learning with Multimedia Annotations
Authors: Jones Linda C.
Published: November 2017

This article describes how effectively multimedia learning environments can assist second language (L2) students of different spatial and verbal abilities with listening comprehension and vocabulary learning. In particular, it explores how written and pictorial annotations interacted with high/low spatial and verbal ability learners and thus affected students' acquisition of new vocabulary and their aural comprehension when they listened to a L2 passage. Students (N = 171) were randomly assigned to one of four groups while listening to a passage in French: a control group that received no annotations and three treatment groups that received written annotations, pictorial annotations, or both written and pictorial annotations. In terms of learning abilities, little difference was found between high- and low-spatial-ability learners when interacting with pictorial or written annotations. However, high-verbal-ability learners consistently outperformed low-verbal-ability learners on recall protocol and vocabulary tests when pictorial annotations alone were present. Within the low- and high-ability groups, learning was consistently greatest when pictorial and written annotations were accessed.
Virtual Immersion
Authors: O'Brien Mary Grantham , Levy Richard , Orich Annika
Published: November 2017

Given the reality that computer games are ubiquitous in everyday life, researchers (Godwin-Jones, 2005; Purushotma, 2005) are touting the potential of making use of them in the second language classroom. In the current paper, we situate virtual reality (VR) technology within an L2 pedagogical framework and argue that it is a viable resource for enabling students to experience the target culture in ways that are impossible through the use of other technologies. In addition, we present the results of a pilot project in which we compare the effectiveness of two VR environments (CAVE and PC technology) on a variety of measures of student engagement: cultural awareness, collaboration, and overall experience. We argue that although the CAVE technology is perhaps the more exciting and immersive medium, its exorbitant cost and large scale make it an unfeasible prospect for most schools. The PC version of the game is readily accessible, can be run at no additional cost to the end user, and provides a positive and potentially more engaging experience for students.
On the Automatic Analysis of Learner Language
Authors: Meurers W. Detmar
Published: November 2017

Introduction to the Special Issue
Mastering Overdetection and Underdetection in Learner-Answer Processing
Authors: Blanchard Alexia , Kraif Olivier , Ponton Claude
Published: November 2017

This paper presents a "didactic triangulation" strategy to cope with the problem of reliability of NLP applications for computer-assisted language learning (CALL) systems. It is based on the implementation of basic but well mastered NLP techniques and puts the emphasis on an adapted gearing between computable linguistic clues and didactic features of the evaluated activities. We claim that a correct balance between false positives (i.e., false error detection) and false negatives (i.e., undetected errors) is not only an outcome of NLP techniques, but also of an appropriate didactic integration of what NLP can do well--and what it cannot do well. Based on this approach, ExoGen is a prototype for generating activities such as gap-fill exercises. It integrates a module for error detection and description which checks learners' answers against expected ones. Through the analysis of graphic, orthographic, and morphosyntactic differences, it is able to diagnose problems like spelling errors, lexical mix-ups, agreement errors, conjugation errors, and so on. The first evaluation of ExoGen outputs, based on the FRIDA learner corpus, has yielded very promising results, paving the way for the development of an efficient and general model adaptable to a wide variety of activities.
A sentence dispersed within a turn-at-talk
Authors: Nishizaka Aug
Published: November 2017

The aim of this study is to show that there is orderliness in a piece of talk that is extremely complex and, in so doing, to explore the grammatical construction of naturally occurring, and contingently produced, utterances in Japanese interaction. First, I distinguish between unit-completeness and turn-completeness. Second, I introduce the notion of response-opportunity places to indicate those places in which although the ongoing talk is still both unit- and turn-incomplete, responses may be produced. These places are systematically used as loci for initiating solutions to various possible interactional problems, such as problems of hearing and understanding. Third, I examine different practices through which the speaker returns to the incomplete turn-constructional unit. The orderliness of the target talk is the result of the speaker’s systematic use of these places and practices.
Performance of limestone cement concretes in chloride–sulfate environments at low temperature
Authors: Sotiriadis Konstantinos , Tsivilis Sotirios
Published: November 2017

Portland–limestone cement concretes were stored in two chloride–sulfate solutions, corresponding to exposure classes XS2, XA2 and XA3 specified by the standard BS EN 206:2013, at 5 ± 1°C. Their performance was evaluated in terms of the limestone content (15% or 35% w/w) of the cements used and the partial replacement of limestone cement with natural pozzolana, fly ash, blast-furnace slag or metakaolin. Sulfate attack was monitored through visual inspection of the specimens, mass measurements, compressive strength tests and X-ray diffraction analysis. The penetration of chloride ions was evaluated by determining total (acid-soluble) and free (water-soluble) chloride contents, as well as apparent chloride diffusion coefficients. Limestone cements favoured thaumasite sulfate attack and chloride accumulation in concrete compared to ordinary Portland cement. Mineral admixtures improved the concrete's durability against sulfate attack, inhibited chloride penetration and enhanced chloride binding. Fly ash, metakaolin and blast-furnace slag were more effective than natural pozzolana. Higher sulfate content of storage solutions promoted deterioration, and decreased chloride diffusion coefficients. The results obtained for concretes with mineral admixtures were competitive with those achieved when ordinary Portland cement was used.
Magnesium and Risk of Hip Fracture among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis
Authors: Sakaguchi Yusuke , Hamano Takayuki , Wada Atsushi , Hoshino Junichi , Masakane Ikuto
Published: November 2017

Magnesium is an essential mineral for bone metabolism. However, little is known about the relationship between magnesium and the risk of fractures. In this cohort study, we elucidated the association between serum magnesium level and the risk of incident hip fracture among patients undergoing hemodialysis. We identified 113,683 patients undergoing hemodialysis with no history of hip fracture from a nation-wide database of patients undergoing dialysis in Japan. During a 2-year follow-up, a total of 2305 (2%) new hip fractures occurred. The crude incidence rate was significantly higher among patients in the lower quartiles of serum magnesium levels (2.63%, 2.08%, 1.76%, and 1.49% in Q1–Q4, respectively; P<0.001 for trend). The range of serum magnesium levels (in milligrams per deciliter) in each quartile was as follows: Q1, <2.3; Q2, 2.4–2.6; Q3, 2.7–2.8, and Q4, >2.9. After adjustment for demographic and clinical factors, patients in Q1 had a 1.23-fold higher risk for hip fracture than those in Q4 (95% confidence interval, 1.06 to 1.44; P<0.01). Similarly, an inverse probability weighting analysis showed an increased risk of hip fracture among patients in the lower magnesium quartiles. We did not observe significant effect modifications in subgroup analyses. The population-attributable fraction of serum magnesium level for incident hip fractures was 13.7% (95% confidence interval, 3.7% to 22.7%), which was much higher than that of serum calcium, serum phosphate, and parathyroid hormone levels. Thus, mild hypermagnesemia is associated with a lower risk of hip fracture among patients undergoing hemodialysis.
Neoinstitucionalismo como paradigma científico
Authors: Córdova Marco
Published: November 2017

RESUMEN: La emergencia del neoinstitucionalismo a inicios de la década del ochenta representa la innovación teórico-metodológica del viejo pensamiento institucionalista, pero sobre todo marca una ruptura respecto a los presupuestos de la revolución conductista que habían dominado la ciencia política en el período de posguerra. En ese sentido, la presente investigación se pregunta ¿De qué manera se configura el paradigma neoinstitucionalista? Para este propósito se plantea desarrollar el argumento según el cual el neoinstitucionalismo ha configurado no sólo un referente teórico-metodológico de investigación, sino además un cambio en la visión del campo disciplinar, lo que en última instancia ha permitido el desarrollo de una ciencia normal, sobre cuyo ejercicio se ha estructurado un paradigma compartido por una comunidad científica.
Variação e definição de queda de sílaba: o contexto segmental em Capivari-SP e Campinas-SP
Authors: Leal Eneida de Goes
Published: November 2017

Resumo: Neste artigo, o objetivo é comparar o nível segmental de variação de queda de sílaba em duas cidades do interior de São Paulo, Capivari e Campinas, com base nos resultados da tese de Leal (2012). Decidiu-se por apresentar exclusivamente os resultados do contexto segmental porque é nesse nível fonológico que o processo é definido (LEAL, 2006, 2007). O trabalho foi fundamentado na geometria de traços (CLEMENTS; HUME, 1995) e na sociolinguística variacionista (cf. LABOV, 1972, 1994, 2001), aplicadas a um corpus de 48 entrevistas (24 em cada cidade). Os resultados revelam que consoantes coronais favorecem, e nasais desfavorecem o processo, em ambos os dialetos. No entanto, há uma grande diferença na implementação com dorsais: o processo é favorecido em Capivari e desfavorecido em Campinas. Quanto às vogais, pudemos verificar que há diferenças nas duas cidades, pois sequências [coronal + coronal] e [dorso-labial + coronal] são neutras em Capivari e favorecidas em Campinas. Também se constatou com os resultados que o OCP atua parcialmente no processo, já que rege a igualdade das consoantes, mas não das vogais. O que parece ser importante são as características da primeira sílaba – aquela sujeita ao apagamento. Finalmente, a análise conclui que a implementação da queda de sílaba se dá diferentemente nas duas cidades, no que concerne ao contexto segmental.Palavras-chave: queda de sílaba; contexto segmental; sociolinguística variacionista; geometria de traços.Abstract: The principal aim in this paper is to compare the segmental context in syllable drop variation (in two cities of São Paulo State countryside, Capivari and Campinas), a study which is part of Leal’s (2012) dissertation. We have decided to show exclusively the results of the segmental context since this is the level in which the process is defined (LEAL, 2006, 2007). The theoretical background used was feature geometry (CLEMENTS; HUME, 1995), and variationist sociolinguistics (cf. LABOV, 1972, 1994, 2001), applied to a 48 interview corpus (24 from each city). The results show that coronal consonants favor the process and nasals disfavore it, in both of the dialects. However, there is great difference with dorsals: it is favored in Capivari and disfavored in Campinas. With regard to vowels, there are differences in the two cities, since [coronal + coronal] and [dorso-labial + coronal] sequences are neutral in Capivari and favored in Campinas. The results also revealed that OCP acts half way in the process, since it woks for consonants identity, but not for vowels. What seems to be relevant is the characteristics of the first syllable – the one that undergoes deletion. Finally, we conclude that syllable drop is different in the cities.Keywords: syllable drop; segmental context; variationist sociolinguistics; feature geometry.
Introduction
Authors: Turner David M. , Bohata Kirsti , Thompson Steven
Published: November 2017

This article introduces contributions to the Special Issue of Disability Studies Quarterly on Disability, Work and Representation. Despite the common equation of disability with inability to do paid labor, disabled people have always worked. Historical experiences of the workplace have varied and have been influenced by means of production, employer and co-worker attitudes and by welfare systems that have impacted negatively on disabled people's abilities to take on employment. Studying the relationship between disabiltiy and work from a range of disciplinary perspectives not only sheds new light not just on disabled people's experiences in the workplace in different societies and at different historical moments, but also raises questions about the meaning of work and the values that underpin it.
La rúbrica de evaluación de la competencia en expresión escrita. Percepción del alumnado sobre su funcionalidad.
Authors: Ruiz-Terroba Rocío , Vázquez-Cano Esteban , Sevillano-García Mª Luisa
Published: November 2017

Este artículo presenta una investigación en la que se analiza la funcionalidad de las rúbricas para la evaluación de la competencia en expresión escrita del alumnado universitario. La investigación se afronta desde una metodología descriptiva y cuantitativa mediante la elaboración de un cuestionario en el que, tras realizar las pruebas estadísticas para comprobar la fiabilidad de la escala creada, se muestra la percepción del alumnado en tres momentos (antes, durante y después) del proceso de escritura. Los resultados muestran que las rúbricas son especialmente beneficiosas para fomentar la objetividad, la autoevaluación y unidad de acción.
Efecto de la lectura compartida y las habilidades prelectoras en el aprendizaje lector
Authors: Gutiérrez-Fresneda Raúl
Published: November 2017

Los trabajos efectuados en los últimos años sobre el aprendizaje de la lectura han permitido identificar las variables que en mayor medida intervienen en la adquisición de esta habilidad lingüística. Actualmente se sabe que el conocimiento fonológico, la velocidad de denominación y las prácticas lectoras que favorecen el conocimiento alfabético se encuentran entre las variables más relevantes para el logro de este aprendizaje. Sin embargo, son escasas las investigaciones que se han realizado con la finalidad de conocer las vinculaciones existentes entre estas habilidades y el aprendizaje inicial de la lectura. El propósito de este trabajo fue analizar si, con programas que integren el desarrollo de las habilidades de conocimiento fonológico, rapidez de denominación junto con dinámicas que favorezcan el conocimiento alfabético a través de prácticas de lectura compartida, se favorece la eficacia del proceso decodificador y se adquiere una mejor comprensión de la lectura. Se empleó un diseño cuasi-experimental de comparación entre grupos con medidas pretest y postest. En el estudio participaron 402 alumnos con edades comprendidas entre los 5 y 6 años. Los resultados ponderan el valor potencial del programa y se proporcionan orientaciones que facilitan el proceso de aprendizaje de la lectura en las primeras edades.
Editorial: Regional responses to Higher Education world-wide challenges
Authors: Donà dalle Rose Luigi F. , Serbati Anna
Published: November 2017

In thisIssuewe present firstly the answers given so far by Latin America to the challenge of Quality Assurance, with an eye to the perspective involved in a possible forthcoming transition toa secondgeneration of QA programs. We then present a “sub-regional” spinoff effect of the AHELO project, involving higher education institutions of Japan and Indonesia, willing to test, with an appropriate tool, the achieved learning outcomes of their students of mechanical engineering (master level). Finally, we present three articles from three African countries – Morocco, Ethiopia, and Tanzania – which deal with different facets of the complex challenge of the relationship between higher education and job market, here inflected in terms of job access, graduates’ wages, employability and actual employment after a competence-based learning path. The last article in thisIssue,focused on a specific aspect of the above landscape of answers to major challenges, investigates the relationship between algebraic competences with emotional intelligence.Published online: 30 November 2017