bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kola nut: revisiting the Igbo socio-cultural values and identity
Authors: Obineche John Okwudiri
Published: June 2017

In every human culture exists a mark of identification which portrays their homogeneity as an entity. In this regard, this paper is a reminiscent of the history of kolanut as a significant socio-cultural symbol of identification of the Igbo origin of hospitality, unity and integration. Although scholars have written extensively on kolanut as generally significant in Nigeria heterogeneity: grown and harvested in commercial quantity in the west (Yorubas), consumed almost as food in the north (Hausas), and is mythically celebrated and ritualized by the Igbos of south east Nigeria. From the historical and phenomenological perspectives, it is discovered that although there are two types of kolanut consumed in Nigeria; cola acuminate and cola nitida (oji Igbo and gworo), the meaning and symbol of Oji Igbo (cola acuminate) in particular, is more valued in Igbo tradition where its sacredness is attached to the foundation of Igbo Origin (Ntu Ala Igbo), and a marriage covenant between the spirit and the humans. Sources gathered through interviews, participant observations and secondary materials show that “Oji Igbo” is so significant that no social, religious and traditional celebration in Igboland is deemed complete and meaningful without it. It is regrettably observed also that this cherished kolanut cultural identity is almost at the verge of extinction especially among the young and modern day Igbos who tend to abandon the kolanut value and identity on the altar of modernization and globalization. This paper therefore called for a socio-cultural and religious revival of the Igbo kolanut culture as an indefatigable mark of Igbo foundation and identity.Keywords: Kolanut, Igbo, value, identity, cola acuminate and cola nitida (oji Igbo and gworo)
The Dasukigate and peace building: hangover of military professionalism or corruption incarnate
Authors: Niworu Salihu Mohammed
Published: June 2017

Election is an important component of democracy because it avails the citizenry the opportunity to choose the best among candidates that presented themselves for election. For the electioneering process to be free and fair, liberal democracy gives room for the circulation of elites from all fields of endeavor to politics. This is what informed the dominance of serving and retired military officers in Nigerian government and politics. These are men trained to manage violence and restore peace. They achieve this peace because military organizations and military regimes possess certain characteristics that differentiate them from the civil society. Such notable characteristics are professionalism, hierarchy of command, discipline, solidarity and cohesion (esprit de corps). These are the attributes that retired military men are expected to exhibit in their new status and responsibilities in the civil society by fair distribution of the wealth of the nation in order to meet the yeaning and aspirations of Nigerians. It is against this backdrop, that this paper analyzed the Dasuki gate and its effect on peace building and democratic consolidation in Nigeria. The paper concluded that Dasuki’s military professional training and discipline has been jettisoned for corrupt primitive accumulation which consequently breach the peace of the nation by escalating Boko Haram insurgency. The paper recommended that the money recovered from Dasukigate be used prudently in providing succor for the less privileged Nigerians.Keywords: Corruption, Electoral Fraud, Insurgency, Poverty
Sequential Use of Testosterone Gel and Growth Hormone in Expected Poor Responders and those with Previous Poor Assisted Reproductive Technology Outcomes: A Pilot Study
Authors: Balasubramanyam Sathya
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Poor responders have suboptimal outcomes following conventionalin vitrofertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment. There is some evidence that transdermal testosterone and growth hormone may help in improving live birth rates in this group.

Aim

To present a case series of women who had sequential transdermal testosterone and growth hormone treatment in view of their being expected poor responders or with a history of previous poor oocyte or embryo quality.

Setting

Private assisted reproduction clinic.

Materials and methods

A total of 24 women underwent 30 cycles of controlled ovarian stimulation. Ten patients out of 24 had previous poor assisted reproductive technology outcomes, of which 4 were poor responders. Fourteen were expected poor responders. The women used approximately 1.2 gm of transdermal testosterone from day 5 to 25 along with a standard oral contraceptive pill. Growth hormone was given at 8 units/day subcutaneously from day 2 along with the gonadotropins in the antagonist protocol.

Results

The mean age of the women was 34.92 years (±3.6). The average duration of subfertility was 7.54 (±4.005) years. The mean antral follicle count was 9 (±3.28) and the mean anti-Mullerian hormone level was 1.2 ng/mL (±0.56). The mean number of eggs collected was 8 (±5.45). Number of mature (M2) eggs was 6.6 (±4.5) Mean number of eggs fertilized was 5.04 (±4.03); clinical pregnancy rate was 8/24 (33.3%) and ongoing pregnancy rate was 4/24 (16.6%).

Conclusion

This case series shows an encouraging clinical pregnancy rate. The reduced ongoing pregnancy rate probably reflects the suboptimal gamete quality. Further randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed to assess the efficacy of sequential transdermal testosterone and growth hormone therapy in poor responders.

Clinical significance

The ongoing pregnancy rate in this group with poor prognosis seems encouraging, and further well-designed RCTs would help in assessing the merits of this sequential therapy.

How to cite this article

Balasubramanyam S. Sequential Use of Testosterone Gel and Growth Hormone in Expected Poor Responders and those with Previous Poor Assisted Reproductive Technology Outcomes: A Pilot Study. Int J Infertil Fetal Med 2017;8(1):1-4.
Entropic Performance of Proton-Exchange Membrane through Current Density, Temperature, Pressure, Membrane Thickness and Humidity
Authors: Dib Jonathan , Takei Sotaro , Kwing Shing Cheng Jeffrey , Williams Sean
Published: June 2017

The fuel cell is a renewable technology which utilizes the hydrogen fuel via oxidation to generate electricity. The development of the technology is being focused on the most effective configurations of these processes to balance availability, efficiency and capacity. A meta-study has been conducted with the aim to analyze fuel cell performance was analysed of different materials such as; Solid Oxide fuel cells, Nafion and Peresulfuric acid under a series of variables: current density, temperature, pressure, membrane thickness and humidity. The reaction kinetics at high temperatures allow for greater hydrogen and oxygen permeability and solubility but are limited by proton conductivity of membrane at high temperature. From meta-study outcome, the largest improvement in current density is achieved by improving cathode polarity and membrane permeability. Optimizing H+ ion concentration is done by increasing humidity through increased pressure.
Analysis of Tokamak fusion device parameters affecting the efficiency of Tokamak operation
Authors: El-zmeter Nour El-Houda , Schmiga Benjamin , Boyd-Weetman Brendan , Murphy Alicia
Published: June 2017

Nuclear Power has been available as a relatively clean and reliable energy source for several decades. While tokamak engines have been in existence almost as long as successful fission-powered nuclear generators, they have not yet reached operational success for energy generation. This meta study collates key fusion device parameters and determines ideas on the applicability of fusion devices for energy. This paper supports the argument that toroidal tokamaks are not limited by volume whereas spherical designs have a potential volume limit, spherical tokamaks use a lower magnetic field current than toroidal tokamaks. Further scientific and engineering progress is required before tokamak devices can be a viable technology to be used for energy generation.
An analysis of thermodynamic properties in both traditional and enhanced geothermal systems to compare thermal efficiencies
Authors: Martin Samuel Peter , Perry Alexander Richmond , Lushnikov Kirill
Published: June 2017

This meta-study draws upon previous research on both Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and traditional geothermal systems (GS), using these findings to compare and investigate the thermal efficiency of each system. Efficiency calculations include reservoir enthalpy, maximum drilling well temperature, power output (per unit mass of liquid) and mass flow rate of these systems to determine whether EGS’s are viable as an alternative, more readily available renewable energy source. This meta-study suggests that EGS are more viable than naturally occurring GS in the context of future geothermal energy production as they perform with a similar average efficiency of 10-15% and, in addition, can be used in a wider range of geothermal environments.
Comparison of Fuel Yield of Biomaterials Between Fast Pyrolysis and Gasification
Authors: Stokes Hughes Matthew Charles , Mcfall Lachlan , Christiansen Matthew , Zepernick Nicholas
Published: June 2017

Pyrolysis is a viable method of extracting combustible fuels as gases or liquids from various, high carbon and hydrogen containing biomaterials. This Meta-study attempts to find the ideal combinations of processes for maximising biofuel output by comparing a range of biomaterials (cotton stalks, algae and peach scraps), put through the two primary methods of pyrolysis, through analysis of reactor type, Temperature, particle size and lower heating value achieved from biofuel output. It is proposed that the fast pyrolysis of Algae in a Fluidized bed reactor at a temperature of 550°C is the optimum combination of parameters for maximising biofuel output in terms of bio-oil yield and lower heating value (LHV) in kJ/kg.
A meta-study on the feasibility of the implementation of new clean coal technologies to existing coal-fired power plants in an effort to decrease carbon emissions
Authors: Davies Kenneth , Malik Abhishek , Li Jimmy , Nanda Aung Thiha
Published: June 2017

The renewable energy sector has experienced an incredible growth in the last 15 years. The dependency on fossil fuel based power plants is still likely to continue well into the next half century. The global thermal efficiency of coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) since the 1980s has largely remained stagnant at 30-39% (high heat value basis)(2). Recent advances in materials and thermodynamics technologies has allowed for the efficiency of new pilot plants to be increased to 45%, even beyond 50% in some cases(3). The manufacture of these new highly efficient ultra-supercritical (USC) steam cycle CFPPs is an economically and politically difficult prospect. Therefore, it is necessary to investigates methods to apply the thermodynamic improvements available in modern USC CFPPs to the currently operating majority of subcritical (SubC) power plants without a large overhaul in infrastructure i.e. through retrofitting. This meta study will provide an analysis in the trends of the overall and intra-system efficiency of CFPPs, the development new clean coal technologies, then discuss and conclude the feasibility of applying these processes to current power plant infrastructure. A thermodynamic analysis of the most promising clean coal technologies, i.e. advanced pulverized coal combustion systems, oxy-fuel, pre and post-combustion carbon capture systems, steam reheat cycles, co-firing systems, will allow the investigation into whether retrofitting current power plants will generate a significant increase in efficiency. Thereby allowing for the discussion of the viability of retrofitting for the reduction in CFPP carbon emissions and the recommendation of specific options.
Efficiency comparison of horizontal axis wind turbines and bladeless turbines
Authors: Bardakjian Antranig Tony , Mandadakis Paul Pavlos , Tingle Amy
Published: June 2017

The purpose of this meta study is to determine whether bladeless wind turbines are more efficient than horizontal axis wind turbines. Using resources such as research papers, online articles and academic papers from different academic databases provided by UTS library, a comparison between these wind turbines was constructed. Using Weibull’s equation, it was found that horizontal axis wind turbines are still more efficient. Although bladeless are more cost efficient, offshore horizontal axis wind turbines produce more energy at lower wind speeds, due to the ratio between power usage to power output of approximately 80% for bladed turbines and approximately 70% for bladeless turbines. More research needs to be done on how to increase the efficiency of these wind turbines.
Editorial
Authors: Schulte Jurgen
Published: June 2017

UTS ePRESS PAM Review Editorial 2017
Confessional technologies of the self: From Seneca to social media
Authors: Friesen Norm
Published: June 2017

Foucault’s general notion of “technologies of the self” provides an invaluable starting point for investigating a range of broadly “confessional” practices and technologies over time — from medieval confession to contemporary forms of networked identity construction. Foucault defines technologies of the self as “reflected and voluntary practices by which men not only fix rules of conduct for themselves but seek to transform themselves, to change themselves in their particular being, and to make their life an oeuvre.” These are practices or techniques, in other words, that are both undertaken by the self and directed toward it. Specifically confessional technologies involve a deliberate and often structured externalization of the self, often with the help of a confessor or a confessional text or context. Building on existing work (e.g., by Fletcher and Hall), this paper begins by some of the earliest Western confessional practices and “technologies” as described by Foucault, and then proceeding to explain medieval Christian confession and its subsequent “reformation.” Next, by appealing to Louis Althusser’s notion of interpellation, it develops this conception of confession further, comparing it finally to today’s digital media of social self-disclosure, focusing on Facebook in particular. Such contemporary media, the paper concludes, build upon practices and technologies of the self that have been evolving for centuries, if not millennia.
Fostering digital and scientific literacy: Learning through practice
Authors: Dias da Silva Patricia , Heaton Lorna
Published: June 2017

Despite the rapidly growing body of work on public participation in citizen science, what and how participants learn by participating has received limited attention. This paper uses a digitization project underway at the Marie-Victorin Herbarium to explore the learning process of adult volunteers and show how scientific and digital literacies are constructed simultaneously and socially. In the process of digitizing the Herbarium’s collection, volunteers draw on existing resources, including digital tools and sources, as well as create and share their own intermediary resources, thereby facilitating future work and enhancing informal learning. Individual goals — such as acquiring new skills or extending knowledge — are connected to the goals of the community — the production of a quality reference that will be available to everyone online. Volunteers are learning by doing, however, the lessons they learn extend beyond their local, situated context and may have a global and future impact.
Gamifying with badges: A big data natural experiment on Stack Exchange
Authors: Bornfeld Benny , Rafaeli Sheizaf
Published: June 2017

Badges are a common gamification mechanism used by many crowd-sourced online systems. This study provides evidence to their effectiveness and measures their effect size using a big data natural experiment in three large Stack Exchange online Q&A sites. We analyze the introduction of 22 different badge-launch events and the resulting changes in user behavior. Consistent with earlier studies, we report that most badge introductions have the desired effect. Going beyond traditional findings on the individual level, this study measures overall badge effect size on the service.
From digital commons to the data-fied urge: Theorising evolving trends in the intersections of digital culture and open education
Authors: Alevizou Giota
Published: June 2017

This paper aims to unravel the interlacing of learning theories and media theories in order to map out how the link between digital culture and open education has been argued in related research and scholarship. Taking into account evolving trends and trajectories in the fields of digital networked technology and education since the 1990s, it argues for the multiple articulations of mediation as a core component in competing discourses about competence formation. These are centred on three evolving and interrelated trends: a) the increased emphasis on computer mediated communication and collaboration as shapers of meaning and improvement; b) the introduction of media logics in particular fields and domains of education; and c) datafication and metrics as means of both self-organization or management and cross-promotional strategies. While several scholars within critical media literacy traditions and critical educational technology have dealt with evolving trends in technology and competing discourses as writing passage from the information to data-driven society, developing a fuller sense of these trajectories can enable us to chart out interconnected threads of power, conflict and subversion that frame learning as a competitive endeavour and reconfigure the expansion of education in broader areas of society.
Territórios informais da prostituição: estudo de caso das travestis da avenida da Feb em Várzea Grande – MT
Authors: Romancini Sonia Regina
Published: June 2017

ResumoO fenômeno urbano é complexo e torna-se cada vez mais difícil analisar suas problemáticas sem contemplar as territorialidades informais que se apresentam amiúde nas cidades contemporâneas. Desse modo, se faz igualmente necessário pesquisar os agentes socioespaciais informais, pois estes representam a própria originalidade do cotidiano urbanístico; se reproduzem no espaço utilizando-se de uma peculiar característica: a informalidade. Entre tantos agentes socioespaciais informais, pesquisamos as travestis que se utilizam de locais específicos da Avenida da FEB − importante centralidade do comércio de veículos e autopeças da cidade de Várzea Grande - MT – para desenvolverem através de territorialização a atividade de prostituição. Contraditoriamente, esses agentes se reproduzem espacialmente ora negando a lógica formal de apropriação do espaço, ora reproduzindo analogamente o modo de produção capitalista.Palavras-chave: Várzea Grande; Território Informal; Travesti.  AbstractThe urban phenomenon is complex and it is becoming increasingly difficult to analyze its problems without addressing the informal territorialities which are often present in contemporary cities. Thus, it is also necessary to research the informal socio-spatial agents, as they represent the very originality of the urban daily life; they reproduce in space making use of a peculiar feature: the informality. Among many informal socio-spatial agents, we research the transvestites that make use of specific locations at FEB avenue –an important centrality of vehicles and auto parts trade in the city of Várzea Grande - MT - to develop the prostitution activitythrough territorialisation. Contradictorily, these agents reproduce spatially either denying the formal logic of appropriation of space, or analogously reproducing the capitalist mode of production.Keywords: Várzea Grande; Informal Territory; Prostitution; Transvestite.  ResumenEl fenómeno urbano es complejo y cada vez se torna más difícil analizar su problemática sin abordar las territorialidades informales que se presentan a menudo en las ciudades contemporáneas. Por lo tanto, se hace necesario para la investigación el estudio de agentes socioespaciales informales; aquellos que se apropian del espacio negando la lógica de la apropiación privada y que representan, de cierta forma, la propia originalidad de lo cotidiano reproduciendose en el espacio a través de una característica peculiar: la informalidad. De este modo se trabajó con un grupo social Travesti ubicado sobre la Avenida de la FEB (importante centralidad para el comercio de vehículos y autopiezas en la ciudad de Várzea Grande-MT) para desarrollar a partir de la territorialización, actividades de prostitución, lo cual, contradictoriamente, se reproduce espacialmente una negación a la lógica formal de la apropiación del espacio, pero reproduciendo análogamente el modo de producción capitalista.Palabras clave: Várzea Grande; Territorio Informal; Travesti.
Financial Reporting Quality and Proprietary Cost: Empirical Study of Selected Indian Manufacturing Companies
Authors: Joshi Leela
Published: June 2017

Corporate financial reporting has been recognized as very important issue in accounting area since a long time. Increased awareness among investors and stringent disclosure regulations has converted the subject of corporate financial reporting into an area of growing corporate and academic interest. The empirical study conducted in this paper provides an insight for understanding the nature of relationship between financial reporting quality and proprietary cost particularly in Indian manufacturing industry.
Transcriptome Analysis, Marker Discovery and Pigment Biosynthesis of Red-leaf Juglans regia
Authors: Chen Xin , Xu Li , Zong Xiao-juan , Wei Hai-rong , Wang Jia-wei , Zhu Dong-zi , Tan Yue , Fu Mao-run , Liu Qing-zhong
Published: June 2017

Red-leaf trait rarely occurs in Juglans regia, and the genetic mechanism underlying this phenomenon is still unknown. In this study, we attempted to provide insight into the comprehensive transcriptome of red-leaf J. regia by RNA-Seq using Illumina SeqTM2000 platform. A total of 33,488,602 high-quality reads (3.35G cleans bases) were obtained and assembled into 53,782 unigenes. A total of 3,683 unigenes were annotated by using basic local alignment search tool to search against protein databases, All the matched unigenes were categorized by gene ontology analysis, and 3,466 were assigned to metabolism, among which 74 were mapped to anthocyanin, carotenoid, and betalain biosynthetic pathways by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis. Approximately 656 transcription factors were isolated including MYB, NAC, and bHLH. Additionally, a total of 13,981 simple sequence repeats, 41,088 single nucleotide polymorphisms, and 5,860 insertions and deletions were determined from J. regia transcriptome. Therefore, the current J. regia transcriptome provides deep insight into the molecular basis of red-leaf breeding of J. regia.
Community perceptions of barriers to stroke recovery and prevention in greater Kampala, Uganda: Implications for policy and practice
Authors: Blixen Carol , Nakibuuka Jane , Kaddumukasa Mark , Nalubwama Haddy , Amollo Mathew , Katabira Elly , Sajatovic Martha
Published: June 2017

Objective: Stroke risk and stroke burden are increasing in Sub Saharan Africa. Qualitative analysis was used to assess perceived barriers to stroke recovery and prevention in an urban/suburban Ugandan population in order to refine and implement a promising nurse and peer-led self-management intervention previously conducted in the United States.Methods: In depth interviews and focus groups were conducted with 48 participants (stroke survivors, caretakers, and those at risk for stroke). All interviews and focus groups were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using content analysis, with an emphasis on dominant themes.Results: Three major domains of perceived barriers to stroke recovery and prevention emerged from the data: (1) Individual barriers (PTSD, stress, resistance to seeking care, medication non-adherence, unhealthy lifestyles, functional impairment, and a paucity of stroke knowledge); (2) Family/community barriers (lack of family and community support and caretaker burden); and (3) Provider and healthcare system barriers (lack of access and inadequate follow-up). Importantly, participants in this study identified a pressing need for increasing stroke awareness in the community as part of recovery and prevention efforts.Conclusions: Stroke risk reduction efforts implemented at the patient, community, and healthcare system levels are needed. These efforts could, perhaps, be modeled along the lines of a previous very successful public health initiative to reduce HIV burden in Uganda.
From the top-down: Transformational leadership considerations for health care organizations
Authors: Sanner-Stiehr Ericka , Reynolds Kueny Clair
Published: June 2017

Nurse leaders can positively influence critical issues in healthcare by engaging in transformational leadership (TL) practices. High in humility, extraversion, self-efficacy, and emotional intelligence, transformational leaders focus on followers as individuals and inspire high goal attainment. Organizations can increase TL behaviors through top-down training strategies. This paper evaluates salient TL characteristics and considerations for organizations wishing to create positive organization-wide change.
Some Elements of Knowledge on the Coastal Floristic Formations of Martinique (French West Indies)
Authors: Joseph Philippe , Baillard Kévine
Published: June 2017

From the middle of the 17th century to the end of the 18th century, the dynamics of land use in Martinique were accompanied by significant landscape transformation. The latter resulted from profound changes in the structural and functional organization of the vegetation. In the end, the history of this small tropical island is a permanent process of biocenonic changes. Despite the limited available data, it is likely that these were accompanied by disappearances of species. This specific diversity erosion mainly concerns the species in the last phases of ecosystemic evolution: particularly those of climax formations. In reality, the successive Antillean societies, formerly agrarian and today characterized by a strong presence of tertiary activities, led to a marked decline in pre-Columbian forests, which are supposed to be primitive. Many coastline forests were soon eliminated. Apart from the very marginal climatic forests protected by the foothills of the Pitons du Carbet and the Pelee Mountain, the secondary forest formations occupy small areas. Isolated in a herbaceous, shrubby and pre-forest vegetation, whose surface is being inexorably reduced due to human activities, they occupy zones that are unsuitable for agriculture, habitation and the various vital infrastructures: slopes, valley or gully bottoms, narrow ridges. The coastline, which was the main settlement location for the first Caribbean societies, is still home to most of the population and economic activities. It is characterized by species, physiognomies and phytocenoses typical of artificialized biotopes. Faced with an inexorable societal development, how can we preserve the floristic, ecosystemic and coastal landscape diversity specific to the patrimonial forest formations which have become natural monuments?
Internacionalização da educação superior nos marcos da integração regional da América Latina: o caso da Universidade Federal da Integração Latino-Americana
Authors: Santos Eduardo
Published: June 2017

Especialmente a partir da emergncia dos processos de integrao de mercados (globalizao) e de culturas (mundializao), que marca a ordem econmica e poltica mundial do ps-guerra, os esforos de comunidades acadmicas, formuladores de polticas pblicas e governos nacionais dos pases latino-americanos se conjugam na direo de reconfigurar seus sistemas e polticas de educao superior com base em uma palavra-fora: internacionalizao. Nesse cenrio, apresenta-se uma dialtica que tende a confrontar (no, necessariamente, a contrapor) demandas locais/nacionais histricas de incluso e profissionalizao da cidadania, por definio referida ao Estado-Nao, aos imperativos de uma geopoltica do conhecimento comandada pelos centros dinmicos do capitalismo contemporneo que, por sua vez, se pauta num modelo definido (e prestigiado) de educao superior, as world class universities, conforme critrios apontados e mensurados por rankings internacionais, caracterizando, assim, um processo de transnacionalizao, mais que de internacionalizao. Neste trabalho, identificamos as modalidades mais clssica de internacionalizao historicamente adotadas pelos sistemas e polticas de educao superior da Amrica Latina, para em seguida analisar a resposta institucional oferecida aos requisitos de internacionalizao com a recente implantao de uma universidade federal brasileira: a Universidade da Integrao Latino-Americana (Unila), destacando sua forte relao com a poltica externa brasileira de integrao regional para o territrio abrangido pelo Mercosul. Defendemos o entendimento de que a Unila se orienta por concepes institucionais, curriculares e epistemolgicas alternativas aos modelos hegemnicos e que representa, potencialmente, uma viso de poltica de educao superior que busca uma outra configurao para a geopoltica do conhecimento no espao latino-americano. O trabalho apresenta anlises preliminares das pesquisas (bibliogrfica, documental e de campo) realizadas no mbito do projeto Observatrio da Universidade Popular do Brasil, desenvolvido pelo Programa de Ps-Graduao em Educao da Uninove (PPGE-Uninove) sob fomento da Capes.
Apresentação Dossiê "A universidade popular no Brasil"
Authors: Silva Mauricio Pedro da
Published: June 2017

APRESENTAO Dossi "A universidade popular no Brasil"
Modeling the distribution of rare and interesting moss species of the family Orthotrichaceae (Bryophyta) in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan
Authors: Číhal Lukáš , Kaláb Oto , Plášek Vítězslav
Published: June 2017

Bryological research carried out from 2008 in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan brought interesting data on the occurrence of epiphytic bryophytes which have not been recorded yet there. One of the species was recently described as a new (Orthotrichum pamiricum) and some of the other newly recorded species are considered as rare or endangered in the region of Middle Asia. To make detailed field monitoring of the species with the aim of mapping their distribution in a wild and complex mountainous terrain, it was necessary in the first instance to identify the area with suitable conditions for the occurrence of these species. We present an innovative modeling program MaxEnt (maximum entropy modeling), which have not previously been used for modeling either epiphytic bryophytes or in the Middle Asia region. Using 205 samples (presence-only data), percent tree cover, and seven uncorrelated bioclimatic variables, regions suitable for the occurrence of the studied species were identified. Distribution models for eight most interesting species of Orthotrichum are presented here (O. affine, O. anomalum, O. crenulatum, O. cupulatum, O. pallens, O. pamiricum, O. pumilum, and O. speciosum). They indicated appropriate areas for the most probable occurrence of the species in western Tajikistan, and southwestern and northeastern Kyrgyzstan. These results could serve as guides for future survey expeditions, and aid in the conservation of target species and our understanding of their ecology. Different environmental variables for various species were selected as the most important for modeling. However, for most species higher minimum temperatures and higher precipitation in the wettest month and mean diurnal range were the variables with the greatest contribution to the models.
Cyfrowe (nie)kompetencje. Nowe technologie w służbie „ja”
Authors: Stachura Krzysztof
Published: June 2017

The paper aims at examining the significance
of new media for redefining meanings of social
competences. As social actors witness new social
situations in the technologically mediated
world, they start seeking for alternative means
of enhancing their social position and adapting
to the altering reality of everyday life. New media
users learn to manage the different ways of
managing and broadcasting their ‘self’. Streaming
their lives online they navigate networked
audiences, trying to find balance between the
public and the private. Digital networking platforms
are being used not only for the purpose of
sociability but also to negotiate their image and
create perceptions of ‘self’. However, the majority
of them do not possess the skills needed
to efficiently maneuver through mediated social
networks. Moreover new media are considered
to create conditions for the eruption of
cultural narcissism and addiction to new technologies.
In the paper attention is drawn to the
tensions related to the significance of this new
set of social competences and potential drawbacks
of the development of the analyzed type
of cultural practices.
Bazodanowe interfejsy. Projektowanie interakcji z dużymi zasobami danych kulturowych
Authors: Bomba Radosław
Published: June 2017

In this article the author tries to show the new
way to design database visual interfaces, which
could be used to present big cultural resources
online. I focused especially on different visualization
techniques, which create so-called “generous
interface”. These kinds of interfaces give
users a chance to see representations of a whole
collection but also depict the structure of a collection
and the relationship between objects.
Based on examples I shall explain how a database
visual interface could by used to create
humanized habitats, which give users a multisensual
experience and create new possibilities
to explore cultural resources.
Na film czy do kina? O sposobach redagowania pokazów kinowych okresu niemego
Authors: Biel Urszula
Published: June 2017

This funny question in the title, which is often
asked to couples pretending to go to the cinema,
is no longer so amusing, when we refer it to
the audience enjoying the charms of the Tenth
Muse during the silent movie. Analyzing the
presentation of films by the end of the 1920s,
we notice that, to a large extent, it depended
on the place in which they were shown. It was
the owner or the manager who had a significant
impact on the way of editing the screening,
and thus on the reception of what was seen
by the audience. Apart from the main film the
additional components of projection were: a variety
of songs, non-soundtrack of the film in
the modern sense and the way of their performance;
recitation and explanation; not only operetta
singing, but opera as well; stage shows.
Another important thing was a variety of film
benefits to the main title and the active participation
of the audience. So as to accommodate
all these entertaining components, the films
themselves were shown at a different, often accelerated
speed. The importance of these benefits
can be certified by the fact that the cinema
advertisements mentioned the film stars, the
bandmaster of the given venue, and what was
going to be presented on stage. To sum up, the
cinemagoer not only experienced the film, but
also took part in a multi-part show.
Polski przemysł muzyczny w latach międzywojennych. Rekonesans
Authors: Pieńkowski Michał
Published: June 2017

After the independence had been regained Polish
phonographic industry dealt with huge problems
caused by warfare. Moreover it had to be
recreated from scratch since the way it was organized
during annexation was no longer working
for the new Polish state. Soon enough, a few
years later, out phonographic industry recovered;
there were a few competing record companies.
The 1930s was the best period for the industry.
That is when the record repertoire was the richest
and the offer of each record company the most
diverse. At the time the record industry established
cooperation with a brand new entertainment
branch – sound film. The first sound films
were developed at Syrena record company. Due
to politics and changing trends in the second
half of the1930s what the industry had to offer
got poorer again and it was mostly entertainment
repertoire. After the beginning of WWII,
just like other branches of industry, Polish record
companies tried to function as usual but
after Warsaw capitulation Polish phonography
ceased to exist for the next 5 years
Interactions of analgesics in an oncologically treated patient - why they may be important for the effectiveness and safety of treatment
Authors: Woroń Jarosław
Published: June 2017

Drug interactions in patients treated for pain which accompanies cancer can significantly alter the efficacy and safety of treatment. Practice has shown that the knowledge about the interactions of analgesics with drugs used to treat the cancer is small resulting in the risk of complications. In this review, the most important interactions that occur between analgesics and drugs used in cancer treatment were collected.
Peripheral Neuromodulation: An Update
Authors: Goroszeniuk Teodor , Król Andrzej
Published: June 2017

Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is rapidly expanding area of neuromodulation with multiple new indications for chronic pain treatment and function improvement. Since the first percutaneous lead insertion in 1999, the proliferation of nonsurgical techniques with increasingly diverse stimulating targets has resulted that PNS is now a firmly established part of neuromodulation where the majority of new exciting developments are taking place. Non Invasive Peripheral External Stimulation plays an important part in the progress. It can offer a frequently less expensive alternative to the implantable techniques and it can be used outside specialised centers. Technological advances are allowing safer and more efficient uses of PNS with improved outcomes.
Relieving pain on prehospital stage – preliminary study
Authors: Krzyżanowski Kamil , Ślęzak Daniel , Basiński Andrzej , Żuratyński Przemysław , Buca Paulina
Published: June 2017

In last time major changes in the system of National Medical Rescue (Państwowe Ratownictwo Medyczne, PRM) occurred. Changes between the others concerned increasing permissions of medical rescuers. For a long time we discussed wide spectrum of actions and autonomy of this professional group and in latest term benefit package of this group was additionally expanded. Is such a varied list of medical procedures, in it pharmacotherapy, is a proper growth of system is subject at issue. Authors of the article decided to look into selected fragments of actions of the system of Medical Rescue and analyze one of import_ant elements of departure team actions, namely relieving pain of injured after the injury. Asking following questions is justified: Is increasing the pool of permissions caused by depleting previous therapeutical possibilities, or were there other reasons to add changes; Is releasing pain on prehospital level enough? Should the attention be focused on this subject and possibly implement repair procedures and educative? To define issues above, medical documentation of trustees of medical teams on the area of Pomeranian Voivodeship were analyzed. Among all provided documents, the ones in which reason of the call was injury were chosen. Tens of thousands cards with different types of injuries were obtained, insulated, multiple and generalized injuries. In how many cases, the procedure of pain relieving were applied was examined and what medicines were used the most. Unfortunately as seen on the presented statistics, only small percentage of cases there were tries of decreasing complaints of injured despite the wide amount available resources. These preliminary studies show the necessity of inputting repair procedures in terms of relieving the pain of injured after injuries by departure teams of Medical Rescue.
Predictors of the transition from acute to persistent musculoskeletal pain in children and adolescents: a prospective study
Authors: Lewandowski Holley Amy , C. Wilson Anna , M. Palermo Tonya
Published: June 2017

Strategies directed at the prevention of disabling pain have been suggested as a public health priority, making early identification of youth at risk for poor outcomes critical. At present, limited information is available to predict which youth presenting with acute pain are at risk for persistence. The aims of this prospective longitudinal study were to identify biopsychosocial factors in the acute period that predict the transition to persistent pain in youth with new-onset musculoskeletal (MSK) pain complaints. Participants were 88 children and adolescents (age 10-17 years) presenting to the emergency department (n = 47) or orthopedic clinic (n = 41) for evaluation of a new MSK pain complaint (<1 month duration). Youth presented for 2 study visits (T1≤1 month post pain onset; T2= 4-month follow-up) during which they completed questionnaires (assessing pain characteristics, psychological factors, sleep quality) and participated in a laboratory task assessing conditioned pain modulation. Regression analyses tested T1 predictors of longitudinal pain outcomes (pain persistence, pain-related disability, quality of life [QOL]). Results revealed approximately 35% of youth had persistent pain at 4-month follow-up, with persistent pain predicted by poorer conditioned pain modulation and female sex. Higher depressive symptoms at T1 were associated with higher painrelated disability and poorer QOL at T2. Findings highlight the roles of depressive symptoms and pain modulation in longitudinally predicting pain persistence in treatment-seeking youth with acute MSK pain and suggest potential mechanisms in the transition from acute to chronic MSK pain in children and adolescents.
PET Fronteira: Concepção, Ações e Objetivos
Authors: Moraes Leonardo Mauro Pereira , Castro Júnior Amaury Antônio de
Published: June 2017

Este artigo apresenta as ações do Programa PET Fronteira no âmbito universitário do Campus de Ponta Porã da UFMS e no município de Ponta Porã/Mato Grosso do Sul. A universidade buscou maior interação com a comunidade local, tendo sempre como objetivo a inclusão digital através de oficinas de raciocínio lógico e robótica educacional. Também, trouxe para a universidade/escolas uma maior concepção de robótica para as competições e olimpíadas científicas. O Programa PET Fronteira é retratado nesse artigo, desde sua concepção, passando pelos objetivos, ações, até seus mais recentes impactos e resultados tanto para a universidade, quanto para a sociedade.
TopCom: Torneio de Programação
Authors: Dias Georgeana Monteiro de Oliveira , Souza Gustavo Storck Andrade de , Miotto Gilmarllen Pereira , Rodrigues Felipe Branquinho , Tavares Douglas Funayama , Costa Patrícia Dockhorn
Published: June 2017

Com o intuito de fomentar a programação avançada entre os alunos capixabas de informática, o Programa de Educação Tutorial (PET) de Engenharia de Computação da Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES) realiza anualmente o evento TopCom como um preparatório para competições de programação. Neste artigo são discutidos os processos para a realização de tal evento e sua importância para o meio acadêmico do Espírito Santo.
Co-agonists differentially tune GluN2B-NMDA receptor trafficking at hippocampal synapses
Authors: Ferreira Joana S , Papouin Thomas , Ladépêche Laurent , Yao Andrea , Langlais Valentin C , Bouchet Delphine , Dulong Jérôme , Mothet Jean-Pierre , Sacchi Silvia , Pollegioni Loredano , Paoletti Pierre , Oliet Stéphane Henri Richard , Groc Laurent
Published: June 2017

The subunit composition of synaptic NMDA receptors (NMDAR), such as the relative content of GluN2A- and GluN2B-containing receptors, greatly influences the glutamate synaptic transmission. Receptor co-agonists, glycine and D-serine, have intriguingly emerged as potential regulators of the receptor trafficking in addition to their requirement for its activation. Using a combination of single-molecule imaging, biochemistry and electrophysiology, we show that glycine and D-serine relative availability at rat hippocampal glutamatergic synapses regulate the trafficking and synaptic content of NMDAR subtypes. Acute manipulations of co-agonist levels, both ex vivo and in vitro, unveil that D-serine alter the membrane dynamics and content of GluN2B-NMDAR, but not GluN2A-NMDAR, at synapses through a process requiring PDZ binding scaffold partners. In addition, using FRET-based FLIM approach, we demonstrate that D-serine rapidly induces a conformational change of the GluN1 subunit intracellular C-terminus domain. Together our data fuels the view that the extracellular microenvironment regulates synaptic NMDAR signaling.
Transurethral microwave hyperthermia in the treatment of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis
Authors: Mene Matthew P. , Ginsberg Phillip C. , Finkelstein Leonard H. , Manfrey Samuel J. , Osborne Dawn
Published: June 2017

Chronic nonbacterial prostatitis is an ill-understood and difficult-to-diagnose disease. Symptoms of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis are similar to those of chronic prostatitis and include low back pain, frequency, dysuria, perineal discomfort, and painful ejaculation. In view of uncertainty about etiology, treatment of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis remains speculative. Most treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms and not at curing the disease. Because of the troublesome nature of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis and the poor results obtained from traditional treatment methods, a new modality of transurethral microwave hyperthermia was investigated. Six patients were treated from January 1994 through June 1995 by use of transurethral microwave hyperthermia. These men were treated four times during a 2-week period. Their average symptom score decrease was 74.9% and was associated with minimal morbidity. Based on this result, it is concluded that transurethral microwave hyperthermia is a safe and effective treatment modality for chronic nonbacterial prostatitis.
Interferon alfa-associated retinopathy
Authors: Chambers Robert B. , Downie Alan , Foote Brittain , Davidorf Frederick H.
Published: June 2017

Interferon alia and its related compounds have been used for more than 10 years in the treatment of a number of conditions including viral illnesses, childhood hemangiomas, various cancers, and leukemia. The potential applications for this class of medication continue to grow. The use of interferon alia in experimental protocols has also increased, thus making it more likely that new indications will be discovered. It is probable that primary care physicians will be called on to initiate therapy or will see patients being treated with interferon in their practice. We report the development of interferon-related retinopathy in a 43-year-old man while he was receiving experimental treatment with interferon alfa for hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infection. The vision loss was acute and only partially reversible. Interferon, its mechanism of action, and the past literature are briefly discussed.