bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urinary N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase levels in diabetic adults
Authors: Omozee Eiya Bibiana , Okaka Enajit Ibiene , Edo Andrew Efosa , Obika Leonard Fedinard
Published: March 2019

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is known to be one of the most common causes of end-stage renal disease. The disease is usually not detected on time, because of the large functioning reserve of the kidney. Currently used markers (serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, urea, and electrolytes) remain relatively normal even when more than 50% of the renal nephron is not functioning. The aim of this study was to determine the level of urinary N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase (NAG) in diabetic adults in comparison with some currently used markers. A total of 56 diabetic patients between the ages of 23 and 63 were used for this study and 30 nondiabetic between the ages of 18 and 62 were used as control. The diabetic patients were classified into three groups based on how long they have been diagnosed: <2 years (25), 2–5 years (30), and >5 years (25). Spot midstream urine samples were collected into sterile containers, and blood samples were collected into plain tubes. All the analyses were done spectrophotometrically. Creatinine clearance was calculated using the Cockcroft–Gault Equation. There was a significant increase (P < 0.01) in NAG values of 2–5 years and above 5 years and control. The urinary microalbumin concentration of controls was significantly different (P < 0.05) only with those who have had DM for <2 years. Urinary creatinine concentration of control was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than values of all the diabetic groups. There was a significant increase (P < 0.01) in creatinine clearance of control group and those who have had DM for <2 years. It is thus concluded that urinary NAG can be used as an early marker in the diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy since urinary NAG increases first before the other markers analyzed in this current study begins to increase.
Reconsidering azithromycin disc diffusion interpretive criteria for Salmonellae in view of azithromycin MIC creep among typhoidal and nontyphoidal salmonella
Authors: Khan Sadia , Kurup Parvathy , Vinod Vivek , Biswas Raja , Pillai Gopala Krishna , Kumar Anil
Published: March 2019

PURPOSE: Enteric fever continues to be an important public health challenge for the developing world. With the emergence of fluoroquinolone resistance in Salmonellae spp. azithromycin is increasingly being used for oral treatment of enteric fever. We investigated the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of azithromycin in Salmonellae spp. isolates from a tertiary care hospital to detect emerging resistance.

METHODS: The study assessed the reliability of disc diffusion as a screening test to detect azithromycin resistance by comparing it with the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the drug in 100 Salmonellae spp. strains. The strains of Salmonellae spp. showing resistance to azithromycin were further investigated for resistance markers – mphA, mphB, and mef B genes.

RESULTS: This study was conducted on 100 Salmonella enterica strains recovered from blood culture samples between 2013 and 2017. Among these isolates, 18 showed resistance to azithromycin by disc diffusion methodology with zones of inhibition <13 mm. MIC of 6 of these isolates were ≥32 mg/L. The mean MIC of azithromycin increased from 5 mg/L in 2013 to 24 mg/L in 2017. Azithromycin consumption as defined daily doses per 1000 patient days also showed an increase over the past 4 years.

CONCLUSION: Azithromycin disc diffusion diameter interpretations as recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute can mislabel a few sensitive strains as resistant. Azithromycin resistance is emerging in typhoidal and nontyphoidal Salmonella. MphA gene is associated with high MICs in nontyphoidal Salmonella spp.
The two-way feedback mechanism between unfavorable meteorological conditions and cumulative aerosol pollution in various haze regions of China
Authors: Zhong Junting , Zhang Xiaoye , Wang Yaqiang , Wang Jizhi , Shen Xiaojing , Zhang Hongsheng , Wang Tijian , Xie Zhouqing , Liu Cheng , Zhang Hengde , Zhao Tianliang , Sun Junying , Fan Shaojia , Gao Zhiqiu , Li Yubin , Wang Linlin
Published: March 2019

Abstract. Accompanied by unfavorable meteorological conditions with stable
stratification in various haze regions of China, persistent heavy aerosol
pollution episodes (HPEs) lasting more than 3 consecutive days frequently
occur, particularly in winter. In the North China Plain (NCP), explosive
growth of fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 µm in
diameter (PM2.5), which occurs during some HPES, is dominated by
a two-way feedback mechanism between more unfavorable
meteorological conditions and cumulative aerosol pollution. However, the
existence of a two-way feedback mechanism such as this in other key haze regions in China is
uncertain; these regions include the Guanzhong Plain (GZP), the Yangtze River
Delta (YRD) region, the Two Lakes Basin (TLB; a large outflow basin connected to Hubei Province and Hunan Province), the Pearl River Delta (PRD)
region, the Sichuan Basin (SB), and the Northeast China Plain (NeCP). In this
study, using surface PM2.5 and radiation observations, radiosonde
observations, and reanalysis data, we observed the existence of a two-way
feedback mechanism in the six abovementioned regions. In the SB, this two-way feedback
mechanism is weak due to the suppression of cloudy mid-upper layers. In the
more polluted NCP, the GZP, and the NeCP, the feedback is more striking than
that in the YRD, the TLB, and the PRD. In these regions, the feedback of
worsened meteorological conditions on PM2.5 explains 60 %–70 % of
the increase in PM2.5 during the cumulative stages (CSs). For each
region, the low-level cooling bias becomes increasingly substantial with
increasing aerosol pollution and a closer distance to the ground surface.
With PM2.5 mass concentrations greater than 400 µg m−3,
the near-ground bias exceeded −4 ∘C in Beijing and reached up to
approximately −4 ∘C in Xi'an; this result was caused by
accumulated aerosol mass to some extent. In addition to the increase in
PM2.5 caused by the two-way feedback, these regions also suffer from the
regional transport of pollutants, including inter-regional transport in the
GZP, trans-regional transport from the NCP to the YRD and the TLB, and
southwesterly transport in the NeCP.
Summertime aerosol volatility measurements in Beijing, China
Authors: Xu Weiqi , Xie Conghui , Karnezi Eleni , Zhang Qi , Wang Junfeng , Pandis Spyros N. , Ge Xinlei , Wang Qingqing , Zhao Jian , Du Wei , Qiu Yanmei , Zhou Wei , He Yao , Zhang Jingwei , An Junling , Li Ying , Li Jie , Fu Pingqing , Wang Zifa , Worsnop Douglas R. , Sun Yele
Published: March 2019

Abstract. Volatility plays a key role in affecting mass concentrations and lifetime of aerosol particles in the atmosphere, yet our knowledge of aerosol volatility in relatively polluted environment, e.g., north China remains poor. Here aerosol volatility in Beijing in summer 2017 and 2018 was measured using a thermodenuder (TD) coupled with an Aerodyne high-resolution aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) and a soot particle AMS. Our results showed overall similar thermograms for most non-refractory aerosol species compared with those reported in previous studies. However, high mass fraction remaining and NO+/NO2+ ratio for chloride and nitrate, respectively above 200 °C indicated the presence of considerable metallic salts and organic nitrates in Beijing. The volatility distributions of organic aerosol (OA) and four OA factors that were resolved from positive matrix factorization were estimated using a mass transfer model. The ambient OA comprised mainly semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC, 63 %) with an average effective saturation concentration (C*) of 0.55 µg m−3, suggesting overall more volatile properties than OA in megacities of Europe and US. Further analysis showed that the freshly oxidized secondary OA (LO-OOA) was the most volatile OA factor (SVOC = 70 %) followed by hydrocarbon-like OA (HOA). In contrast, the volatility of more oxidized SOA (MO-OOA) was comparable to that of cooking OA with SVOC on average accounting for 60.2 %. We also compared the volatility of ambient and black carbon–containing OA. Our results showed that the BC-containing primary OA (POA) was much more volatile than ambient POA (C*= 0.69 µg m−3 vs. 0.37 µg m−3), while the BC-containing SOA was much less volatile, highlighting the very different composition and properties between BC-containing and ambient aerosol particles.
Improvement of airborne retrievals of cloud droplet number concentration of trade wind cumulus using a synergetic approach
Authors: Wolf Kevin , Ehrlich André , Jacob Marek , Crewell Susanne , Wirth Martin , Wendisch Manfred
Published: March 2019

Abstract. In situ measurements of cloud droplet number concentration N are limited by
the sampled cloud volume. Satellite retrievals of N suffer from inherent
uncertainties, spatial averaging, and retrieval problems arising from the
commonly assumed strictly adiabatic vertical profiles of cloud
properties. To improve retrievals of N it is suggested in this paper to use
a synergetic combination of passive and active airborne remote sensing
measurement, to reduce the uncertainty of N retrievals, and to bridge the
gap between in situ cloud sampling and global averaging. For this purpose,
spectral solar radiation measurements above shallow trade wind cumulus were
combined with passive microwave and active radar and lidar observations
carried out during the second Next Generation Remote Sensing for Validation
Studies (NARVAL-II) campaign with the High Altitude and Long Range
Research Aircraft (HALO) in August 2016. The common technique to
retrieve N is refined by including combined measurements and retrievals of
cloud optical thickness τ, liquid water path (LWP), cloud droplet
effective radius reff, and cloud base and top altitude.
Three approaches are tested and applied to synthetic measurements and two
cloud scenarios observed during NARVAL-II. Using the new combined
retrieval technique, errors in N due to the adiabatic assumption have been
reduced significantly.
Insights from year-long measurements of air–water CH4 and CO2 exchange in a coastal environment
Authors: Yang Mingxi , Bell Thomas G. , Brown Ian J. , Fishwick James R. , Kitidis Vassilis , Nightingale Philip D. , Rees Andrew P. , Smyth Timothy J.
Published: March 2019

Abstract. Air–water CH4 and CO2 fluxes were directly measured
using the eddy covariance technique at the Penlee Point Atmospheric
Observatory on the southwest coast of the United Kingdom from September 2015
to August 2016. The high-frequency, year-long measurements provide
unprecedented detail on the variability of these greenhouse gas fluxes from
seasonal to diurnal and to semi-diurnal (tidal) timescales. Depending on the
wind sector, fluxes measured at this site are indicative of air–water
exchange in coastal seas as well as in an outer estuary. For the open-water
sector when winds were off the Atlantic Ocean, CH4 flux was almost
always positive (annual mean of ∼0.05 mmol m−2 d−1) except
in December and January, when CH4 flux was near zero. At times of
high rainfall and river flow rate, CH4 emission from the
estuarine-influenced Plymouth Sound sector was several times higher than
emission from the open-water sector. The implied CH4 saturation
(derived from the measured fluxes and a wind-speed-dependent gas transfer
velocity parameterization) of over 1000 % in the Plymouth Sound is within
range of in situ dissolved CH4 measurements near the mouth of the
river Tamar. CO2 flux from the open-water sector was generally from
sea to air in autumn and winter and from air to sea in late spring and
summer, with an annual mean flux of near zero. A diurnal signal in
CO2 flux and implied partial pressure of CO2 in water
(pCO2) are clearly observed for the Plymouth Sound sector
and also evident for the open-water sector during biologically productive
periods. These observations suggest that coastal CO2 efflux may be
underestimated if sampling strategies are limited to daytime only. Combining
the flux data with seawater pCO2 measurements made in situ
within the flux footprint allows us to estimate the CO2 transfer
velocity. The gas transfer velocity and wind speed relationship at this
coastal location agrees reasonably well with previous open-water
parameterizations in the mean but demonstrates considerable variability. We
discuss the influences of biological productivity, bottom-driven turbulence
and rainfall on coastal air–water gas exchange.
Remote and local drivers of oxygen and nitrate variability in the shallow oxygen minimum zone off Mauritania in June 2014
Authors: Thomsen Soeren , Karstensen Johannes , Kiko Rainer , Krahmann Gerd , Dengler Marcus , Engel Anja
Published: March 2019

Abstract. Upwelling systems play a key role in the global carbon and
nitrogen cycles and are also of local relevance due to their high productivity and fish
resources. To capture and understand the high spatial and temporal variability in
physical and biogeochemical parameters found in these regions, novel measurement
techniques have to be combined in an interdisciplinary manner. Here we use
high-resolution glider-based physical–biogeochemical observations in combination with
ship-based underwater vision profiler, sensor and bottle data to investigate the drivers
of oxygen and nitrate variability across the shelf break off Mauritania in June 2014.
Distinct oxygen and nitrate variability shows up in our glider data. High-oxygen and
low-nitrate anomalies were clearly related to water mass variability and probably linked
to ocean transport. Low-oxygen and high-nitrate patches
co-occurred with enhanced turbidity signals close to the seabed, which suggests locally
high microbial respiration rates of resuspended organic matter near the sea floor. This
interpretation is supported by high particle abundance observed by the underwater vision
profiler and enhanced particle-based respiration rate estimates close to the seabed.
Discrete in situ measurements of dissolved organic carbon and amino acids suggest the
formation of dissolved organic carbon due to particle dissolution near the seabed fueling
additional microbial respiration. During June an increase in the oxygen concentration on
the shelf break of about 15 µmol kg−1 was observed. These changes go
along with meridional circulation changes but cannot be explained by typical water mass
property changes. Thus our high-resolution interdisciplinary observations highlight the
complex interplay of remote and local physical–biogeochemical drivers of oxygen and
nitrate variability off Mauritania, which cannot be captured by classical shipboard
observations alone.
Dealing with discontinuos meteorological forcing in operational ocean modelling
Authors: Büchmann Bjarne
Published: March 2019

Abstract. Meteorological data providers release updated forecasts several times per day – at the forecast epochs. The first time step (t = 0) of each forecast, the so-called analysis step, is updated by a data-assimilation process, so that the meteorological fields at this time in general do not match the fields from the previous forecast. Seen from the perspective of oceanographic modelling, the analysis step represents a possible discontinuity in the model forcing. Unless care is taken, this meteorological discontinuity may generate spurious waves in the ocean model. The problem is examined and quantified for a single meteorological model: the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Integrated Forecasting System (IFS). A simple straight-forward solution is suggested to overcome the forcing discontinuity, and the effect on a particular ocean model is examined: the FCOO NA3 (North Atlantic 3 nm) storm surge model.
ANYCaRE: a role-playing game to investigate crisis decision-making and communication challenges in weather-related hazards
Authors: Terti Galateia , Ruin Isabelle , Kalas Milan , Láng Ilona , Cangròs i Alonso Arnau , Sabbatini Tommaso , Lorini Valerio
Published: March 2019

Abstract. This study proposes a role-playing experiment to explore the value of modern
impact-based weather forecasts on the decision-making process to (i) issue
warnings and manage the official emergency response under uncertainty and
(ii) communicate and trigger protective action at different levels of the
warning system across Europe. Here, flood or strong-wind game simulations
seek to represent the players' realistic uncertainties and dilemmas
embedded in the real-time forecasting-warning processes. The game was first
tested in two scientific workshops in Finland and France, where European
researchers, developers, forecasters and civil protection representatives
played the simulations. Two other game sessions were organized afterwards
(i) with undergraduate university students in France and (ii) with Finnish
stakeholders involved in the management of hazardous weather emergencies.
First results indicate that multi-model developments and crowdsourcing tools
increase the level of confidence in the decision-making under pressure. We
found that the role-playing approach facilitates interdisciplinary
cooperation and argumentation on emergency response in a fun and interactive
manner. The ANYCaRE experiment was proposed, therefore, as a valuable learning
tool to enhance participants' understanding of the complexities and
challenges met by various actors in weather-related emergency management.
From Identifying Dog Breeds to Diagnosing Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Veettil Shafaz , Van Nynatten Logan
Published: March 2019

Experts predict advances in artificial intelligence (AI)—the ability of a machine to mimic human cognition—will spark the fourth industrial revolution, but the dawn of a new age in diagnostic medicine may already be on the horizon. Google and others are leveraging deep learning, a subset of AI that aims to imitate the neuronal processing of the human brain, to screen for diseases—such as diabetic retinopathy, cardiovascular disease, brain tumours, skin cancers, and stroke—at unprecedented levels of sensitivity and specificity. Limitations include an inability to wholly substitute for human empathy and touch, a vulnerability for adversarial training, and concerns about interpretability. If hurdles can be properly dealt with, the coalescence of big data and AI research will change how medicine is provided, practiced, and accessed.
Blockchain Technology: Investing in a National EMR Strategy
Authors: Marquis Josiah , Elliott Erik , Dahal Martyn , Abelman Dor
Published: March 2019

Improving the efficiency and sustainability of Canada’s healthcare system is currently being prioritized by the federal government. In order to achieve this, government and non-government stakeholder collaboration will be required to improve integration, universality, and equity for all populations throughout the country. Although technological innovations pose certain risks, investing in health technologies plays a major role in improving service delivery and cost-saving within healthcare. Canada has historically had a relatively low use of electronic medical records (EMR’s) in comparison to other high-income countries - which appears to be partially due to inefficiencies within the fragmented systems throughout Canada. Improving the current EMR infrastructure has the potential to save our country substantial amounts of money, improve information transfer for patients and practitioners, and enhance the overall quality of medical care Canadian citizens receive. There has been mention of developing a national EMR strategy by various organizations, including the Canadian Medical Association. Blockchain technology appears to have many desired characteristics for developing a comprehensive national EMR strategy to support the needs of our universal healthcare system. This is due to the fact that it is a secure platform to store huge amounts of information and make data transfers between a diverse group of stakeholders. It is believed that blockchain can provide a unique framework upon which a national data system can be built.
The Role and Priorities of the Human Resource Management Function: Perspectives of HR Professionals, Line Managers, and Senior Executives
Authors: Ramlall Sunil , Melton Becky
Published: March 2019

How do HR professionals, Line Managers and non-HR Senior Executives view HR strategies? What are the main deliverables of HR activities as viewed by the different groups? What level of importance is placed on HR practices by the respective groups? What are the implications for the HR function? What gaps exist among the stakeholder groups of HR relating to the importance of HR? How can there be more synergy of HR practices among the stakeholder groups?Unlike previous research studies, this study examines a more holistic view of HR and the level of importance placed on the respective strategies. The findings not only identify the major accomplishments of HR and alignment to business strategies but also highlight several key areas in which there is a significant gap in emphasis and importance as viewed by different stakeholders.
Measuring the cognitive cost of downward monotonicity by controlling for negative polarity
Authors: Agmon Galit , Loewenstein Yonatan , Grodzinsky Yosef
Published: March 2019

Our goal in this study was to behaviorally characterize the property (or properties) that render negative quantifiers more complex in processing compared to their positive counterparts (e.g. the pair few/many). We examined two sources: (i) negative polarity; (ii) entailment reversal (aka downward monotonicity). While negative polarity can be found in other pairs in language such as dimensional adjectives (e.g. the pair small/large), only in quantifiers does negative polarity also reverse the entailment pattern of the sentence. By comparing the processing traits of negative quantifiers with those of non-monotone expressions that contain negative adjectives, using a verification task and measuring reaction times, we found that negative polarity is cognitively costly, but in downward monotone quantifiers it is even more so. We therefore conclude that both negative polarity and downward monotonicity contribute to the processing complexity of negative quantifiers.
Investor Protection and Capital Expenditures under Endogenous Time Inconsistency
Authors: Gregory Richard P.
Published: March 2019

Underinvestment in value-enhancing projects is considered a major problem in corporate management. It is usually blamed on information asymmetry and agency costs. In this paper, a model is proposed that shows that even without information asymmetry and agency costs, there is a pronounced tendency for managers to underinvest due to a positive probability of their being replaced. It is also shown that investor protection legislation, if it does not eliminate the possibility of being replaced, does not lower the likelihood of underinvestment.
Absolute Hidden Symmetry in Time and Absolute Asymmetry in Mass and Velocity between a Particle and Its Anti-Particle
Authors: Brodet Eyal
Published: March 2019

In this paper we will the discuss possible hidden symmetry in time and the possible asymmetry in mass and velocity between a particle and its anti-particle. Possible hidden symmetry in time between a particle and its anti-particle manifested in their corresponding possible hidden variables in time, fr and -fr  was first discussed in Brodet (2017b). In this paper we will extend the discussion and discuss how the above possible hidden symmetry in time and its corresponding possible symmetry in absolute position, energy and momentum, may yield an asymmetry in mass and velocity of a particle and its corresponding anti-particle. We will deconstruct the particle’s and anti-particle’s absolute position, into three complex number describing the particle/anti-particle time, velocity and mass. The particle/anti-particle symmetry and asymmetry of the above complex numbers will be discussed in the context of parity violation and the known asymmetry in angular production of particles and anti-particles. Moreover, the possible mass asymmetry will be used to explain the CP violation in the neutral kaon system. Finally, experimental ways to investigate and test the above are presented.
International Standard on Auditing No. 260 and Audit Quality: Evidence from Jordan
Authors: Shbeilat Mohammad K.
Published: March 2019

This study aims to explore the extent of external auditors awareness of the requirements of the International Standard on Auditing No. 260 (Communications with those charged with governance) on audit quality and to shed light on the effectiveness of the communication process based on auditors actual experience. A mixed method approach was employed to achieve the study objectives. The analysis of 116 questionnaires concluded that the requirements of the ISA 260 enhance audit quality, but the two-way communication between Jordanian auditors and the audit committee is ineffective from external auditor’s perception. The study also found that audit committees do not support external auditor when disagreements arise between auditors and their client management on accounting treatments. The qualitative interviews confirmed the quantitative results and revealed several explanations among which: 1) lack of qualified directors, 2) lack of a clear policy in selecting board members, 3) meetings with auditors are routinely held, and 4) insufficient oversight by the securities commission. The interviews also revealed that the recent version of Jordanian corporate governance has two potential factors have been viewed to improve the effectiveness of the communication process that are, the appointment of a ‘governance liaison officer’ who, among other responsibilities, supervise and document audit committee meetings with the auditor, and the use of cumulative voting technique in selecting board members. The findings of the study could be beneficial for regulators by ensuring the best implementation of cumulative voting to increase the representation of qualified members so that the communication process will be greatly enhanced.
The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Organizational Performance in Telecommunication Sector in Jordan
Authors: Al-ma’ani Bana , Al-Qudah Shaker , Shrouf Husam
Published: March 2019

The study has aimed to investigate the impact of corporate social responsibility on organizational performance. The data from three telecommunication companies were collected through questionnaires, based on the Likert scale. The data has been collected from 500 employees of telecommunication companies. Statistical tools were used to analyze the data. The results showed that internal CSR positively affects both non-financial and financial performance. In addition, external CSR proved to positively affect non-financial performance. The effect of external CSR on financial performance was negative, but not significant. The current study provides insights into the value of corporate social responsibility key on organizational performance in telecommunication companies. Additionally, most of the respondents considered CSR as a key factor influencing the Organizational Performance of companies. This approach is expected to support telecommunication company’s managers in the developing world to evaluate their current performance, estimate the desired state based on the results.
Investigation of The Dielectric Properties Of (Cu, Tl) 1234 Added with Graphene
Authors: Younes Ibrahim. , Basma Hadi. , Anas Mohamad. , Awad Ramadan.
Published: March 2019

Superconducting samples of type (Cu­0.5Tl0.5)-1234 were prepared at normal pressure via one step of conventional solid state reaction technique, and added with x wt.% of graphene (0≤x≤0.1). X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) shows that the addition of graphene does not alter the tetragonal structure and the lattice parameters of the samples. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) measurements indicate the non-uniform distribution of graphene inside the (Cu­0.5Tl0.5)-1234 phase. While the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images reveal the increase of the inter-grain connectivity. The superconducting transition temperature Tc, obtained from Ac magnetic susceptibility measurements, shows an enhancement up to x=0.04 Wt. %, followed by a deterioration for x >0.04. The frequency dependence of the dielectric properties of the samples was experimentally investigated at different temperatures (110 K ≤ T ≤ 260 K). The real and imaginary parts (ε' and ε'') of dielectric constant increase up to x=0.1. The study of ε' and ε'', the dielectric loss (tan δ) and the ac-conductivity (σac) have shown that the variation of frequency, temperature and addition of graphene allows the tuning of these parameters for various applications.
A Weighted Covariate Balancing Method of Estimating Causal Effects in Case-Control Studies
Authors: Amusa Lateef B. , Zewotir Temesgen , North Delia
Published: March 2019

Propensity score methods have dominated the estimation of treatment effects based on observational data and particularly in the health and medical sciences. We propose a weighting method based on rank-based Mahalanobis distance, namely the covariate balancing rank-based Mahalanobis distance method, to estimate causal effects for observational data. Using Monte Carlo simulations, under different data structures and type of outcome variables, the proposed method is shown to have better performance, in terms of bias reduction and treatment effect estimation. Specifically, under the generalized linear model framework, we simulated datasets based on the Lalonde-PSID study, for linear link function; while datasets were simulated based on the Lindner study, for non-linear link functions. We further apply the proposed method to data extracted from the Nigeria Demographic Health Survey (2013), to investigate the effect of educational exposure on ideal family size among married couples in Nigeria. The proposed method is a viable alternative method that can improve covariates balance, bias reduction, and efficient estimation of treatment effects.
La actividad del tribunal eclesiástico de León en la segunda mitad del siglo XVIII
Authors: Pérez Alvarez María José
Published: March 2019

Los Expedientes Matrimoniales ofrecen una gran riqueza informativa, desde aspectos demográficos hasta la sexualidad, pasando, por supuesto, por la sociología del matrimonio, e, incluso, nos brindan noticias de la vida cotidiana. En el Archivo Diocesano de León, esa documentación comienza a tener continuidad en la segunda mitad del siglo xviii. Para acercarnos a la actividad del tribunal eclesiástico leonés en esta materia, hemos tomado una muestra de veinticinco años, desde 1755 hasta 1780. En primer lugar, nos planteamos conocer cuáles eran las causas a las que atendían y la prelación de las mismas y, a continuación, analizar los motivos que desencadenaron aquellas que desembocaron en litigios y que, como veremos, casi todos estuvieron relacionados con los esponsales. Ahora bien, hemos de tener en cuenta que la visión que obtendremos de tal problemática será parcial, pues no hemos de olvidar que eran de fuero mixto.
Franch Benavent, R. y Navarro, G. Las rutas de la seda en la Historia de España y Portugal (Valencia, 2017).
Authors: Rey Castelao Ofelia
Published: March 2019

Reseña del libro de Ricardo Franch Benavent y Germán Navarro Espinach, coordinadores, Las rutas de la seda en la Historia de España y Portugal, Publicaciones de la Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, 2017, 432 páginas
Relaciones de sucesos y teatro barroco: el sitio de Gerona y De Fuera Vendrá (1654) de Agustín Moreto
Authors: Moreno Jiménez Sergio
Published: March 2019

La eclosión del periodismo primitivo conoció un auge extraordinario desde prácticamente finales del siglo xvi y durante todo el siglo xvii. Buena muestra de ello ofrece la fama de que gozó el formato editorial que rápidamente constituyó el género llamado relación: entre tres y seis folios en cuarto (a veces más) que daban noticia breve de fiestas, acontecimientos significativos, victorias militares, etc., y que solían incorporar desde descripciones fieles del hecho hasta composiciones poéticas de elogio o vituperio. Este auge puede cifrarse en la utilización que hizo de él el teatro. En efecto, dramaturgos como Lope de Vega, Mira de Amescua, Calderón de la Barca o Agustín Moreto, conscientes del éxito desmesurado del género, a menudo incorporaron a sus piezas relatos extraídos directamente de una o varias relaciones, con el fin de narrar un hecho que sabían era de interés público. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo explicar este mecanismo a través de la adaptación que Moreto hizo de las relaciones sobre el sitio de Girona de 1653 en su obra De fuera vendrá (1654), a fin de dar cuenta de este interesante tipo de confluencia artística barroca.
Onyeka Nubia, Blackamoores. Africans in Tudor England, Their Presence, Status and Origins (Londres, 2013).
Authors: Lopez Alba M.
Published: March 2019

Reseña de libro: Onyeka Nubia, Blackamoores. Africans in Tudor England, Their Presence, Status and Origins. Londres, Narrative Eye, 2013, 463 pp.
Editorial
Authors: Fernández Terricabras Ignasi
Published: March 2019

Editorial número 37
Dirofilariosis in humans and animals: Two faces of one disease
Authors: Lewandowicz-Uszyńska Aleksandra , Borawski Wojciech , Pasternak Gerard
Published: March 2019

Today, when animals have become family members, thus bringing a whole spectrum of positive effects on both the mental and physical health of people, the more we must bear in mind the potential hazards arising from such a relationship in order to make possessing companion animals both pleasant and safe. One such threat is undoubtedly dirofilariosis. Dirofilariosis is a parasitic zoonosis caused by the invasion of mosquito-borne nematodes of the genus Dirofilaria. Man is an accidental host of the parasite. Although dirofilariosis is considered to be an endemic disease of Mediterranean and US origin, which rarely affects humans, the increasing number of diagnosed cases in animals in Poland may in the near future result in frequent invasion of the parasite also in humans in our country. Frequent animal movements as well as the presence in Poland of mosquitoes capable, as a result of climate change, of carrying the pathogen seem to confirm this thesis. Clinical displays of human parasite invasion are mostly pulmonary, subcutaneous and ocular forms, as well as some others, which occur less frequently. Appropriate prophylaxis in animals, as well as the complex treatment of existing invasion, provides both animals and humans with security and comfort of life.
A REALIDADE DO TRABALHO DO PROFESSOR DO ENSINO SUPERIOR: PESQUISA
BIBLIOGRÁFICA ON-LINE EM FOCO
Authors: Cardoso Grund Zelina , Portela Rinaldi Renata
Published: March 2019

This article aims to present the survey of academic production on "teacher training and teaching
work" in higher education, produced in the period from 2007 to 2017 and published by the
National Association of politics and administration of Education (ANPAE). The methodology used
was bibliographical research online from carefully defined parameters in order to support a
broader study on the "State of knowledge". The following descriptors were used: teacher training,
teaching, higher education work. Select the complete works of the Ibero-American Congress of
policy and school administration and the Brazilian Symposium of politics and Administration. The
treatment and analysis of the information was systematized from a bibliographical analysis
protocol. The result shows that there are a small number of publications on the subject in the
relevant axis to higher education in national and international scientific events.
A TENDÊNCIA AGRESSIVA E O SETTING NO ESPAÇO EDUCACIONAL
Authors: Garbosa de Azevedo Joyce , Camargo Bandeira Villela Fabio
Published: March 2019

In the family environment, in the relationship between adults and children, and especially in the
school field, we often come across children who show some aggressive behavior, whether it is
biting, hitting, pushing or, in other circumstances, children and teenagers who usually steal objects
or attack people they relate to. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze and understand the roots of
this problem that has increasingly afflicting adults, especially teachers, who face complex and
unknown realities. For this reason, understanding aggression and knowing how to deal with them
becomes an instrument that can help the teacher before these manifestations.
“ALFABETIZAR” OU “LETRAR”? UMA DISCUSSÃO SOBRE AS PRÁTICAS
PEDAGÓGICAS DE ALFABETIZAÇÃO NO ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL
Authors: Cristina Alves Pimenta Isabella , Lemos Rocha Flávia , Venturini da Silva Mariane , Correia Salgado de Azevedo Nair
Published: March 2019

According to Soares (2003), recognizing the importance of literacy for the improvement of the
quality of education, it seems to be the recognition of the importance and specificity of "Literacy"
in the initial grades. In this article, we propose to reflect on the methods. As specific objectives, we
propose to: a) Understand from the historical point of view how the concepts of "Literacy" and
"Literacy" suggest; b) Define the terms "Literacy" and "Literacy". This research was based on a
theoretical and critical reflection on the material obtained from studies already carried out by
renowned authors on the subject, such as Soares (1989, 2003, 2004), Mortatti (2006), Ferreiro
(1986; 1995). We conclude that education has already adhered to various methods of literacy,
however, there is no "right" and "wrong" method, but proper use of it. In this way, it is necessary
to make use of several resources for literacy
ANÁLISE E APONTAMENTOS EM TORNO DA POLÍTICA DE UM CURRÍCULO
MUNICIPAL
Authors: Lydia Sant`Anna Perrone Ana , da Silva Dias Marisa
Published: March 2019

This work is the result of reflections and discussions on the issue of public policies in Education
addressed in the discipline of Public Policy Analysis in the Unesp course of
PresidentePrudente.This study analyzed concepts, characteristics and typologies of public policies.
In this context, we present here some authors and propose a reflection and analysis of the
formulation and implementation of the new curricular proposal of elementary education of the
city of Bauru.Para realization of this work, the proposal was to relate the study object of our
research with the contents approached from the readings , analysis of different authors dealing
with the cycle of public policy discussions, and contributions of the discipline.
APROXIMAÇÕES ENTRE O PENSAMENTO DE PAULO FREIRE E RODOLFO KUSCH
Authors: Roberto Brocanelli Cláudio
Published: March 2019

This article continues the development of a Project of Teaching Research in studies about Paulo Freire
and his work with education as a practice of the freedom of the person so that it has an increasing
development of liberation of its fears and obstacles of the excluding society; Freire wants to give
conditions of knowledge and life that are more dignified and according to a reality that is more just
and in which all people can participate in the cultural assets of their society. Besides the search for a
liberation, it is fundamental that the fear of this freedom be overcome; with education, not in the
model already planned, defined and characterized by the domineering, but considering its reality, its
miseries and its attitude of resignation, in the search of contributions and with the purpose of seeing
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Colloquium Humanarum, vol. 15, n. Especial 2, Jul–Dez, 2018, p. 140-145. ISSN: 1809-8207. DOI: 10.5747/ch.2018.v15.nesp2.001088
itself in its suffered reality and constructing a ' to make it new, to integrate it and give intellectual,
moral, political and social forces to overcome that resignation. Likewise, thinking of a South American
philosophy and posture, Rodolfo Kusch developed a thought that emphasizes the recognition of
himself and the value that exists in this Latin American society. Commonly, our education and
formation have been built on foreign and foreign models in which the people have discarded a culture
of this ground to fulfill duties determined by others; there is constantly the overlap of foreign cultures
crushing the local culture. So there is a call for the South American people to look at themselves again
and see their importance, their value, their culture, so that from there, from what has already been
built, they take up their dignity and open themselves to a 'to do' from what is and what has already
built. Thus, looking at the two authors, their thinking and through theoretical and bibliographical
research, our objective is to verify the concepts that are approaching and to give contributions to
Latin American philosophical thought in what concerns to education as a formative process that is
given to from reality itself.
BULLYING: CONCEPÇÕES DOS PARTICIPANTES DE UM CURSO DE EXTENSÃO
Authors: Regina Conde Kelly , Fernanda Dias Pavaneli Camila , Neves Ferreira Julia , Carolina Scandelai Parra Andressa , Aparecida Nogueira da Cruz Luciana
Published: March 2019

Bullying is a moral problem, a form of disrespect expressed by an intentional and repeated act of
intimidation or oppression, with physical and / or verbal aggression without apparent motivation,
caused by one or more students, causing pain, distress, humiliation and discrimination against the
victim. This research analyzes the role of education professionals in this phenomenon by
investigating their conceptions of bullying. The responses of participants in the extension course
"Moral Development for Children", offered by Unesp in São José do Rio Preto, to the question
"What is bullying?" served as basis for the mentioned analysis. All the subjects of the research
perceive the bullying as something disrespectful and that causes damage to the relations, even if
they are only limited to some characteristics of the phenomena. It is important, however, that
educational professionals have more knowledge about how to intervene to promote the
awakening of moral sensitivity in students.
Plasmacytoid Urothelial Carcinoma: An Unusual Variant That Warrants Aggressive Management and Critical Distinction on Transurethral Resections
Authors: Sood Sadhika , Paner Gladell P.
Published: March 2019

Plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma (PUC) is a variant of infiltrating urothelial carcinoma that is characterized by tumor cells that have striking morphologic resemblance to and immunohistochemical overlap with plasma cells, and that harbors CDH1 mutation. Plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma can be widely infiltrative and may permeate the urinary bladder in a linitis plastica–like manner and spread along the fascial planes and into the peritoneum. Compared with conventional urothelial carcinoma, PUCs have a greater chance for higher-stage disease, surgical margin positivity, and metastasis at presentation that translate into its poorer outcome. Upstaging of lamina propria–invasive (pT1) tumors diagnosed at transurethral resections is common. Because of its unfavorable behavior, a more aggressive management approach is being recommended for PUC, including consideration for upfront cystectomy in pT1 tumors. Thus, accurate distinction should be made especially on the initial transurethral resection specimens because of the therapeutic and prognostic implications. Awareness of PUC's unique clinical presentation, morphology, and immunohistochemical profile is important to avoid a potential misdiagnosis from its mimics.
Maximizing the Civil Mission of Universities
Authors: Hazelkorn Ellen
Published: March 2019

The contribution and impact of universities on the cities and regions in which they are based is an increasing focus of government policy. This builds upon their public good role with respect to knowledge creation and dissemination, but it also responds to problems of deep social and economic inequality in our societies. Wales is no different. In the belief that universities can make a significant contribution, the Welsh government commissioned a report seeking to maximize Welsh universities civic mission.
Research Productivity of Chinese Young Thousand Talents
Authors: Yang Lili , Marini Giulio
Published: March 2019

While it is commonly agreed that globally bred talent returning to China greatly contributes to the enhancement of research capacity, whether returnees perform better than those who stay overseas remains to be examined. We compared the research productivity of Chinese “Young Thousand Talents” (Y1000Ts) and Chinese researchers remaining in the United States. The results of our analysis demonstrate that while the two groups publish at a similar rate, Y1000T lag slightly behind their US-affiliated counterparts in terms of quality of publications. This could be explained by the assessment system of research performance in China.
Exploring Equity in Higher Education Systems: Reflections from Argentina and Chile
Authors: García de Fanelli Ana
Published: March 2019

Given the complexities of massification and institutional differentiation in higher education, it is not possible to analyze the equity of a system by focusing only on the global policies regulating access and state or private funding mechanisms. When focusing on secondary school and undergraduate dropout rates and on the programs and institutions that lower-income students can attend, striking inequalities may appear.
Jeanne d’Arc au Nouveau Monde
Authors: Gallichan Gilles
Published: March 2019

Jeanne d’Arc, la célèbre Pucelle d’Orléans, a connu un destin historique peu commun. Elle rejoint au panthéon les plus grandes figures de l’histoire française. Qui plus est, l’Église catholique, qui l’avait jadis condamnée, en a fait une sainte en 1920. Le Canada français a découvert Jeanne d’Arc au tournant du siècle par la presse, par une abondante littérature, par le théâtre et par les chansons. Le clergé catholique a fait d’elle un idéal patriotique. Dès lors, son image a été annexée au nationalisme et à la défense des droits linguistiques et religieux des Canadiens français. Le féminisme s’en est aussi emparé, le prénom « Jeanne-d’Arc » s’est popularisé et on lui a érigé des monuments et, dans les églises, on a offert ses statues à la dévotion populaire. Cet article évoque le passage de la figure johannique de la France vers l’Amérique francophone au XIXe et dans la première moitié du XXe siècle.
Papineau et la violence
Authors: Lamonde Yvan
Published: March 2019

La liberté vaut-elle qu’on verse une goutte de sang pour elle, demandait Daniel O’Connell ? Quel fut le rapport de Papineau à la violence, aux armes, à la prise d’armes ? À partir de ses positions sur le système seigneurial, les relations ethniques, la langue et la religion, l’analyse scrute l’outillage mental à partir duquel le leader patriote pouvait penser la radicalité physique. Les conflits locaux exacerbés étaient-ils recevables, reçus par le Parti patriote et par Papineau ?
Voix des esclaves autochtones et des esclavagistes
Authors: Deslandres Dominique
Published: March 2019

L’affaire Constant se prête à merveille à l’analyse intersectionnelle qui invite à penser la pluralité des formes et des logiques de domination (en particulier sexe, race et classe) et la complexité de leurs articulations. En effet, elle révèle les dynamiques de pouvoir qui régissent la maison entièrement féminine dans laquelle est perpétré le crime d’un esclave panis en 1757. Mais surtout, au-delà de la vérité pérenne et tragique – et pourtant si souvent invisibilisée – qu’elle révèle de l’esclavage autochtone à Montréal et en Nouvelle-France, elle permet « d’entendre » les voix des esclaves autochtones et de prendre la mesure de leur agentivité (ou horizon d’action pensé et vécu).
Tit-Coq (1948) de Gratien Gélinas
Authors: Robert Lucie
Published: March 2019

Dès sa création en 1948, Tit-Coq de Gratien Gélinas est reçu non seulement comme la « première » pièce de son auteur, mais aussi comme l’acte de naissance du théâtre canadien-français. Or, la pièce elle-même, comme son auteur, tire profit d’une certaine tradition théâtrale, largement antérieure, qui se trouve ainsi reniée. Néanmoins au fil de la réception critique (dramatique et littéraire) s’imposera cette idée d’un acte fondateur qui, dans le contexte des débats esthétiques de l’époque, va favoriser pour la première fois l’intégration du théâtre et des textes dramatiques dans l’histoire littéraire.