bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Which Patients With Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma Might Benefit From Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy?
Authors: Mahmoud Omar , Einstein Mark H.
Published: April 2018

The Oncology Grand Rounds series is designed to place original reports published in the Journal into clinical context. A case presentation is followed by a description of diagnostic and management challenges, a review of the relevant literature, and a summary of the authors’ suggested management approaches. The goal of this series is to help readers better understand how to apply the results of key studies, including those published in Journal of Clinical Oncology, to patients seen in their own clinical practice.

A 55-year-old postmenopausal woman, gravida 5 para 5, with past medical history significant for hypertension, presented to the emergency department with profuse vaginal bleeding and a hemoglobin level of 9 g/dL. The biopsy from an irregular 6-cm cervical mass was consistent with moderately differentiated cervical squamous cell carcinoma. The physical examination did not reveal vaginal or parametrial extension of the tumor. Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging disclosed the known carcinoma, as well as a 9.2 × 7.7 × 6.7 cm anterior uterine fibroid (Fig 1). A staging positron emission tomography scan was negative for metastatic disease. After blood transfusion and vaginal packing, the patient was referred to discuss the immediate management of her newly diagnosed bleeding bulky cervical cancer. In the absence of parametrial or vaginal extension and in the absence of lymph node metastasis (both on clinical examination and imaging), she was classified as having International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IB2 disease.
Assessing naturally acquired immune response and malaria treatment outcomes in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Oyebola Kolapo M. , Aina Oluwagbemiga O. , Bah Mamadou M. , Ajibaye Sola , Correa Simon , Awandare Gordon A. , Amambua-Ngwa Alfred
Published: April 2018

Background: There are emerging reports of poor efficacy of artemisinin-based combination treatment (ACT). However, mutations on the Kelch-13 gene marking delayed parasite clearance have no clinically defined relationship with ACT resistance across Africa. With increasing malaria control efforts, declining acquired immunity could be responsible for varying drug response profiles that may be dependent on levels of exposure to infections. To examine antibody responses against malaria and the influence on the efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine (AL), plasma samples were collected, prior to treatment, from individuals presenting with uncomplicated malaria.

Methods: Participants were stratified into two groups: early (within 24 hours, N = 20) and late (between 48 – 72 hours, N = 30) parasite clearance after treatment, as determined by var gene acidic terminal sequence (varATS) polymerase chain reaction. Magnetic bead-based luminex assay was used to profile antibody responses specific to a panel of 21 Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite, merozoite and An. gambiae salivary antigens.

Results: Median fluorescence intensity (MFI) of the antibodies was highest against glutamate-rich protein (GLURP-R0) and lowest against merozoite surface protein (MSP2) antigen. Analysis showed a positive correlation between expression of immunity and age of individuals (P = 0.023). However, there was no association between parasite density and antibody responses, except a significant positive relationship with reticulocyte binding protein-like homologue 5 (Rh5), P = 0.047; Plasmodium exported protein (Hyp2), P = 0.037 and merozoite surface protein 11 (H103), P = 0.038. Though higher levels of antibodies against erythrocyte binding antigens (EBA 140 and 175), MSP1.19, GLURP, circumsporozoite protein (CSP) and Rh4.2 were observed in individuals who recorded early parasite clearance, there was no significant difference in antibody responses in the early and late parasitological response groups.

Conclusions: Characterization of additional markers in larger populations is required to reveal potential immunological correlates of drug efficacy.
Microbiological assessment of sachet water “pure water” from five regions in Ghana
Authors: Mosi Lydia , Adadey Samuel Mawuli , Sowah Sandra Akoley , Yeboah Charles
Published: April 2018

Background: Sachet water, popularly known as “pure water” has become an invaluable entity in most Ghanaian households. Despite its importance, there is no extensive nationwide investigations on its wholesomeness for consumption. The aim of this study was to determine the microbiological quality of 41 brands of sachet water sampled in 16 districts across 5 regions in Ghana.

Methods: The samples were analyzed for the presence of total and fecal coliform (Escherichia coli) using the Colilert*- 18 Test Kit.

Results: Majority of the samples (56.09%) were excellent, 4.87% satisfactory and 14.63% suspicious. Ten samples (24.4%) were unsatisfactory. For the degree of fecal contamination, (85.56%) were satisfactory, four (9.76%) were suspicious, and two others (4.88%) were unsatisfactory. The contaminations observed could be attributed to poor sanitary conditions (during and/or after production) and failure of some production facilities to adhere to standard manufacturing practices.

Conclusion: Our data suggest that microbiological quality sachet water from some sources have not yet attained levels that make it absolutely pure and wholesome for consumption in many areas.
Organizing and running bioinformatics hackathons within Africa: The H3ABioNet cloud computing experience
Authors: Ahmed Azza E. , Mpangase Phelelani T. , Panji Sumir , Baichoo Shakuntala , Souilmi Yassine , Fadlelmola Faisal M. , Alghali Mustafa , Aron Shaun , Bendou Hocine , De Beste Eugene , Mbiyavanga Mamana , Souiai Oussema , Yi Long , Zermeno Jennie , Armstrong Don , O'Connor Brian D. , Mainzer Liudmila Sergeevna , Crusoe Michael R. , Meintjes Ayton , Van Heusden Peter , Botha Gerrit , Joubert Fourie , Jongeneel C. Victor , Hazelhurst Scott , Mulder Nicola
Published: April 2018

The need for portable and reproducible genomics analysis pipelines is growing globally as well as in Africa, especially with the growth of collaborative projects like the Human Health and Heredity in Africa Consortium (H3Africa). The Pan-African H3Africa Bioinformatics Network (H3ABioNet) recognized the need for portable, reproducible pipelines adapted to heterogeneous compute environments, and for the nurturing of technical expertise in workflow languages and containerization technologies. To address this need, in 2016 H3ABioNet arranged its first Cloud Computing and Reproducible Workflows Hackathon, with the purpose of building key genomics analysis pipelines able to run on heterogeneous computing environments and meeting the needs of H3Africa research projects. This paper describes the preparations for this hackathon and reflects upon the lessons learned about its impact on building the technical and scientific expertise of African researchers. The workflows developed were made publicly available in GitHub repositories and deposited as container images on quay.io.
Single dose ceftriaxone and metronidazole versus multiple doses for antibiotic prophylaxis at elective caesarean section in Mulago hospital: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Mugisa Gideon Alex , Kiondo Paul , Namagembe Imelda
Published: April 2018

Objective: To compare the incidence of post-operative infections among mothers who received single dose pre-operative ceftriaxone and metronidazole compared to multiple doses after delivery by elective caesarean section.

Methods: This was (parallel, balanced randomization, 1:1) open label randomized controlled trial conducted Mulago Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Participants included in this study were pregnant women who had been admitted for elective caesarean section. The mothers were randomized to receive single dose of ceftriaxone and metronidazole minutes before the operation or multiple doses 30-60 during the operation and postoperatively. The primary outcome was post-operative wound infection. Secondary outcomes were clinical endometritis and febrile morbidity. The 174 eligible participants were randomized into one of the two treatment arms in a ratio of 1:1. The research assistants who collected the outcomes were blinded to the study allocation.

Results: Of the 174 eligible participants who recruited; 87 were randomized to the single dose group while 87 to the multiple doses group. The participants were recruited from 17th September 2015 up to 29th February 2016. All the participants were followed up for two weeks after delivery.  Outcome data was available for 79 women in the single dose group and 81 women in the multiple dose group. There were no differences in the incidence of post-operative wound infections between the single dose arm versus the multiple dose arm (RR 1.895; 95% CI (0.2-21.4). There was no clinical endometritis and febrile morbidity observed during the 14 days of follow up.

Conclusion: Single dose pre-operative antibiotic prophylactic with ceftriaxone and metronidazole is as effective as multiple doses in prevention of post-operative infectious morbidity in women who undergo elective caesarean section. We recommend the use of single dose ceftriaxone and metronidazole in women undergoing elective caesarean section in our setting.

Trial registration: NCT02736682. Registration date, 7th April, 2016.
Acquired factor VIII inhibitor associated with chronic untreated hepatitis C
Authors: Shredi Abdussalam , Elberson Benjamin W. , El Nawaa Saif , Ismail Amr
Published: April 2018

Acquired inhibitors of coagulation are antibodies that either inhibit the activity or increase the clearance of a clotting factor. A hemorrhagic diathesis is a common clinical manifestation in affected patients. Acquired factor VIII inhibitor – or acquired hemophilia A – is a rare disorder and presents similarly to hemophilia A, though patients are less likely to develop hemarthroses. This inhibition is most commonly due to autoantibodies against coagulation factor VIII. These autoantibodies often occur in pregnancy, autoimmune disorders, solid tumors, and lymphoproliferative syndromes. Several drugs, including penicillins, phenytoin, and sulfa drugs, have also been associated with antibodies to factor VIII. Chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), in addition to various degrees of liver inflammation and fibrosis, can have extrahepatic manifestations, especially autoimmune disorders. The most common hematological complications of HCV infection are thrombocytopenia, cryoglobulinemia, and anti-cardiolipin antibodies. A few cases of factor VIII inhibitors occurring in HCV patients have been reported, with a higher incidence after prolonged treatment with interferon-α. Here, we present a case of a patient with chronic untreated HCV infection developing acquired factor VIII deficiency.
Traduire la métaphore surréaliste
Authors: Collani Tania
Published: April 2018

Translating Surrealist Metaphors. André Breton’s Nadja, the Marvelous and Its Translations into English and ItalianStarting from Michael Riffaterre’ analysis of conceits (or long metaphors) within the Surrealist literary production (1969), this article aims to take into account the metaphorical code’s lexicon as well as the expressions forming the dense network of images which constitutes the Surrealist marvelous. The corpus is focused on André Breton’s Nadja (in its two French editions of 1928 and 1963), as well as on its English translation (by Richard Howard in 1960) and Italian translation (by Giordano Falzoni in 1972). After tracing in texts source a set of essential and sensitive words for the creation of the marvelous effect within the Surrealist production, we will see how the target texts take into account the rational analogies canvas woven by Breton.
La reconstruction d’un univers merveilleux
Authors: Monti Enrico
Published: April 2018

Reconstructing a Marvelous World: On the Translation of Angela Carter’s Metaphors into French and Italian This essay sets out to analyze the re-construction of a marvelous world in the translations of Angela Carter’s works (1940-1992). It does so by focusing on metaphors, seen as cognitive and stylistic elements which are both relevant in the construction of such world, and emblematic of the overall translation strategy. Our parallel corpus consists of a selection of stories from Angela Carter’s The Bloody Chamber and other stories (1979) and their three translations (two into Italian, one into French). The stories in this collection offer a profound rewriting of Perrault’s tales and subvert the canon by adding an explicit sexual dimension to these stories and questioning male supremacy. We shall illustrate the strategies implemented by the Italian and French translators to recreate the uncanny images and associations that deliberate metaphors can trigger in the minds of their readers. We aim at drawing a few tentative conclusions about the construction of marvelous through metaphors, as well as on the translation approaches to such elements and works.
Terry Pratchett, joueur de foot
Authors: Brzozowski Jerzy
Published: April 2018

Sir Terry Pratchett’s “Unseen Academicals” shows the soccer world, but also the University, both of which are important. The title of the French translation, Allez les mages, is the first example of the naturalization strategy which focuses on football, but erases any hint of the British culture and, consequently, the reader of this translation is unable to see any allusion to the Oxford‑Cambridge old rivalry. Moreover, this strategy destroys the tension between the language of the “gentlemen” of the University and ordinary people, humble servants in the University but big ones in the football world. The rendering of the “cockney” by the Parisian argot is, in fact, Berman’s deforming tendency called vulgarization. In conclusion, the author of this paper believes that the French translator of Pratchett’s book, although very clever ar rendering of puns, took the wrong strategic decision, which his Polish colleague did not.
Les aventures extraordinaires du fantastique étranger sur le marché éditorial polonais après 1945
Authors: Chrobak Marzena
Published: April 2018

L’auteur décrit les majeures tendances au marché polonais de la littérature fantastique au sens large de ce mot, pendant trois étapes de l’histoire moderne de la Pologne: l’influence néfaste de la censure pendant la période stalinienne; une prédilection pour le merveilleux mythologique, épique et folklorique (surtout celui des « pays frères »), celle pour le fantastique latinoaméricain, la popularité de Jules Verne, l’émergence des fancons et fanzines, une relative tenue à jour en ce qui concerne les chefs‑d’oeuvre du fantastique, à l’époque de la Pologne populaire; une globalisation du marché après 1989. Elle montre comment la littérature fantastique en Pologne a suivi l’évolution du marché du livre de la pénurie à la surabondance, tout en expérimentant un changement spectaculaire du statut.
Le lexique fantastique des deux côtés de la Vistule
Authors: Gostkowska Kaja , Grabar Natalia
Published: April 2018

Fantastic Vocabulary on Two Sides of the Vistula River. Example of Translations of „The Cyberiad” by Stanislas Lem into Ukrainian and French The work of Stanisław Lem aroused a lot of interest and fascination with literary critics and readers. The problematics related to the translation of his novels presents also an increasing activity: we mention only work entirely dedicated to translations of Lem in different languages. Our purpose is to analyze how this literature works “on both sides” of Vistula: in Ukraine and in France. We adopt two approaches. First, we observe globally the presence of Lem in these two countries: which novels have been translated in Ukrainian and in French, by which translators and, more specifically, at which period. Then, we focus our attention on specific choices done by translators through the analysis of translations of The Cyberiad, fantastic novel which presents an important number of traps for translators. The analysis we propose is concentrated on neologisms which, in the original text, convey a humorous effect, in order to compare the strategies adopted by the translators in these two languages. The analysis is performed using methods from Natural Language Processing and linguistics, thanks to the creation and analysis of parallel and aligned corpora.
Polskie przekłady wybranych fragmentów prozy włoskiej w świetle uwarunkowań kulturowych i historycznych recepcji literatury obcej w PRL
Authors: Ślarzyńska Małgorzata
Published: April 2018

Polish Translations of Selected Fragments of Italian Fiction in the Light of Cultural and Historical Determinants of the Reception of Foreign Literature in the People’s Republic of Poland The article focuses on the role of cultural and historical determinants that influence literary translation. The objects of analysis are selected translations of fragments of contemporary Italian fiction – novels by Natalia Ginzburg (Lessico famigliare) and Giuseppe Dessí (Paese d’ombre), and a short story by Beppe Fenoglio (23 giorni della città di Alba) – which were published in the 1970s in the Literatura na Świecie, a Polish literary magazine devoted to foreign literature. The analysis of the phenomenon of fragmentation of Italian literary prose, which occurred in the selected translations, makes it possible to observe the impact of the target culture of that time on the way in which foreign literature was presented to the target reader.
Kategorie czasu i aspektu jako środek nadawania pierwszoplanowości w liryce – analiza oryginału i przekładów wiersza Osipa Mandelsztama "Wiatr otuchę w nas tchnął…"
Authors: Piątkowska Józefina
Published: April 2018

Foregrounding through Tense/Aspect Morphology in Lyric Poetry– analysis of Osip Mandelstam’s Poem The Wind Brought Us Comfort… and Its Polish and English TranslationsThe aim of this article is to show how tense-aspect morphology could be used for discourse-pragmatic purpose of structuring the lyric text. In the poem discussed, switching from PFV past to IPFV present is essential for shifting between foreground and background. The novelty of our approach lies in application of ideas developed within narrative analysis in order to discuss information grounding in lyric poetry. Analysing Polish and English translations of O. Mandelstam’s poem, we will demonstrate how saving temporal structure of the original text can become an important criteria in judging the adequacy of poetic translation.
Translator Google wie najlepiej… Czy na pewno?
Authors: Puchała-Ladzińska Karolina
Published: April 2018

Google Translate Knows Best… or Does It? On the Development and Quality of Machine Translation The article concerns the problem of machine translation, discussing both its advantages and drawbacks. The author’s main purpose is to put the popular online translator, Google Translate, to the test by means of various text types. Google translations are then analyzed and compared to their source texts. This will allow one to specify with which text types Google can cope considerably well, and which it cannot handle at a satisfactory level. The analysis will also shed some light on the future role of human translators.
Ćwiczenie tłumaczeniowe w dydaktyce przekładu jako element diagnozy początkowej
Authors: Gomola Aleksander
Published: April 2018

Translation Exercise in Translation Didactics as a Component of Needs AnalysisThe article analyzes the results of a translation exercise used as an element of needs analysis to assess translation competences (as defined by EMT programme) of 30 M.A. translation trainees commencing an English-Polish translation course. It analyzes translation samples of selected sentences from a travelogue narrative, with specific translation problems (collocations, passive voice structures, a cleft sentence with a passive gerund) in terms of translation mistakes as defined by Hejwowski. An analysis of the samples shows that a translation exercise, if properly selected, allows to identify translation trainees’ translation competences and translation mistakes, and may be helpful in designing a translation course and as an element of action research approach applied during the course.
Impact of Managerial Commitment on Risk Taking with Dynamic Fund Flows
Authors: Kaniel Ron , Tompaidis Stathis , Zhou Ti
Published: April 2018

We present a model with dynamic investment flows, where fund managers have the ability to generate excess returns, and study how forcing them to commit part or all of their personal wealth to the fund they manage affects fund risk taking. We contrast the behavior of a manager who may invest her personal wealth in a private account to a manager who is either forced to commit her wealth to the fund she manages or not allowed to hold risky assets held by the fund privately. We show that a fund managed by a manager with higher ability does not necessarily achieve higher expected returns but achieves lower idiosyncratic volatility. For a manager with constant ability, restrictions placed on her personal account do not influence her choices in the fund, while for a manager whose ability varies stochastically, they result in higher expected returns and idiosyncratic volatilities. Fund strategies can be nonmonotone both in the manager’s commitment level and the ratio of manager to investor wealth. Our results are robust to incomplete information and to competing managers with correlated ability.

The internet appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2017.2946 .

This paper was accepted by Neng Wang, finance.
Learning from Inventory Availability Information: Evidence from Field Experiments on Amazon
Authors: Cui Ruomeng , Zhang Dennis J. , Bassamboo Achal
Published: April 2018

Many online retailers provide real-time inventory availability information. Customers can learn from the inventory level and update their beliefs about the product. Thus, consumer purchasing behavior may be impacted by the availability information. Based on a unique setting from Amazon lightning deals, which displays the percentage of inventory consumed in real time, we explore whether and how consumers learn from inventory availability information. Identifying the effect of learning on consumer decisions has been a notoriously difficult empirical question because of endogeneity concerns. We address this issue by running two randomized field experiments on Amazon in which we create exogenous shocks on the inventory availability information for a random subset of Amazon lightning deals. In addition, we track the dynamic purchasing behavior and inventory information for 23,665 lightning deals offered by Amazon and use their panel structure to further explore the relative effect of learning. We find evidence of consumers learning from inventory information: a decrease in product availability causally attracts more sales in the future; in particular, a 10% increase in past claims leads to a 2.08% increase in cart add-ins in the next hour. Moreover, we show that buyers use observable product characteristics to moderate their inferences when learning from others; a deep discount weakens the learning momentum, whereas a good product rating amplifies the learning momentum.

This paper was accepted by Serguei Netessine, operations management.
Why Do People Volunteer? An Experimental Analysis of Preferences for Time Donations
Authors: Brown Alexander L. , Meer Jonathan , Williams J. Forrest
Published: April 2018

Why do individuals volunteer their time even when recipients receive far less value than the donor’s opportunity cost? Previous models of altruism that focus on the overall impact of a gift cannot rationalize this behavior, despite its prevalence. We develop a model that allows for differential warm glow depending on the form of the donation. In a series of laboratory experiments that control for other aspects of volunteering, such as its signaling value, subjects demonstrate behavior consistent with the theoretical assumption that gifts of time produce greater utility than the same transfers in the form of money. Subjects perform an effort task, accruing earnings at potentially different wage rates for themselves or a charity of their choice, with the ability to transfer any of their personal earnings to charity at the end of the experiment. Subjects exhibit strong preferences for donating time even when differential wage rates make it costly to do so. The results provide new insights on the nature of volunteering and gift giving.

Data, the online appendix, and the experimental instructions are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2017.2951 .

This paper was accepted by Teck-Hua Ho, behavioral economics.
Unbundling of Ancillary Service: How Does Price Discrimination of Main Service Matter?
Authors: Cui Yao , Duenyas Izak , Sahin Ozge
Published: April 2018

We consider a setting where the firm sells a main service (e.g., air travel) and an ancillary service (e.g., in-flight meal) to two types of consumers: high type (e.g., business travelers) and low type (e.g., leisure travelers). The firm decides whether to unbundle the ancillary service from the main service and charge separate prices for different service components. We study the interaction between the optimal ancillary unbundling strategy and the firm’s use of main service price discrimination by analyzing two types of firms: firms that use uniform pricing of main service and firms that use discriminatory pricing of main service. We find that a uniform-pricing (respectively, discriminatory-pricing) firm should unbundle the ancillary service if the fraction of high-type consumers who value the ancillary service is large (respectively, small) enough. The difference hinges on the rationale that under uniform pricing, unbundling allows the firm to extract more ancillary surplus from high-type consumers; by contrast, under discriminatory pricing, bundling allows the firm to extract more ancillary surplus from consumers. Moreover, we find that unbundling the ancillary service and using main service price discrimination are strategic complements (respectively, strategic substitutes) if the correlation between consumers’ main service valuations and ancillary service valuations is low (respectively, high).

The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2017.0646 .
Get ready for kick off
Authors: Harries Judith
Published: April 2018

It promises to be a summer of footie with this year's World Cup starting on 14 June. Make the most of it as a reason to get active outdoors and strengthen children's Understanding of the World, says Judith Harries.
Curious about counting?
Authors: McKeown Sal
Published: April 2018

A new resource that features dragons eggs to collect and count is helping children to master mathematical concepts relating to the numbers 1 to 10. Sal McKeown finds out how its investigative approach adds up.
It's a beautiful day!
Authors: Rawstrone Annette
Published: April 2018

Annette Rawstrone continues her series looking at how a day out can provide a wonderful opportunity to build on children's speaking and communication skills.
Animal instincts
Authors: Hewson Claire
Published: April 2018

Find out how books, songs and digital media such as YouTube can be used together to ignite children's interest in animals. Documentary footage is great for building knowledge and vocabulary.
Dancing compassion: Cultivating a body of love in the Tantric Buddhist dance of Nepal
Authors: Shaw Miranda
Published: April 2018

This article examines Charya Nritya, the contemplative and yogic dance practice of the Tantric Buddhist priests of Nepal. Taking as my focus a dance devoted to a divinity who embodies universal compassion, I elucidate how the ways of moving and somatic sensitivities nurtured by the dance can serve in the Buddhist quest to cultivate a compassionate bodily presence on earth.
Thresholds: Moving between worlds
Authors: Olsen Andrea
Published: April 2018

Thresholds is a somatic movement excursion that involves a three-part process: the approach, the passing through (liminality) and the arriving into a new space. Language shapes experience. Verbal choices can lead us into an experience or can shut it down. By offering a series of prompts in the writing, readers notice how words cue changes in the body and are encouraged to broaden choices about how to engage their intrinsic intelligence. Utilizing this experiential movement practice, personal narrative, scientific information, reflections and research by other artists and scholars, and visual imagery as modes and models of inquiry and illumination, invoke possibilities for insight and discovery. Attention is focused on inner as well as outer landscapes, amplifying possibilities for broad readership. The function of Thresholds as a movement exploration is threefold: (1) we can notice how language shapes experience, (2) we can feel and experience our inhibitions and expressivity without restrictive judgment, but with discernment and (3) we can recognize commonalities and appreciate difference, heightening intercultural competence. Throughout, Thresholds as a theme links us both to body systems and body-level boundaries. It also reminds us of our fluid nature; there is not just one way to be in the world. The text encourages investigation, offers multiple views and perspectives, and draws on the Discipline of Authentic Movement as a resource for cultivating a discerning inner witness. The conclusion features the author’s reflections on current collaborative endeavours, and an inspiring performance by Project Bandaloop, amplifying the theme of moving between worlds.
Ethical world gaze
Authors: Fraleigh Sondra
Published: April 2018

Earth spinning in space grounds our world-sense of belonging, as do our spinning dances. This article explores self-world-earth relationships, particularly how direction of attention (intentionality) becomes formative in dancing. More widely, it develops a philosophy of an ethical world gaze, promising to enliven the senses. Somewhere between untenable extremes of optimism and pessimism, actions born of joy and hope draw me towards this possibility. Earth, world and nature entwine in language and perception, but they also have divergent aspects to be theorized. These imprecise terms become increasingly more discrete in the course of this article, textured through perspectives of Buddhism, eco-phenomenology and butoh. Examinations of ethics in dance and attendant relationships of morality build from there. I explore all of this in four sections of this work: Stargazing, Faces of joy and evanescence, Texturing world and nature, and As the moth.
Educação digital: a base para a construção da cidadania digital
Authors: Souza Meire Cristina de
Published: April 2018

O objetivo desse artigo é propor uma reflexão sobre o tema da cidadania digital inserido na necessidade de uma educação digital que possa transformar o indivíduo exposto às transformações da era digital e exposto à informações, produtos e serviços de todos os lugares do planeta. Se a rede é de alcance mundial (World Wide Web), o cidadão não é mais um personagem de sua própria pátria ou de sua nação, ele agora pertence a um mundo todo interligado e conectado. A educação desse novo cidadão é um desafio para todos as estruturas estatais do planeta.
A multiculturalidade na Europa: tendências, reflexões e desafios, a propósito da população escolar de um município da área metropolitana de Lisboa
Authors: Alcoforado Luís , Fernandes João Luís J. , Gama Rui , Barros Cristina , Frias Mafalda , Cordeiro António M. Rochette
Published: April 2018

As dinâmicas populacionais da Europa revelam-se em diferentes escalas. O município de Sintra tem aspetos particulares, mas reflete dinâmicas da área metropolitana de Lisboa, do país e do continente europeu. A fixação de populações diversificadas e estruturas demográficas mais jovens, assim como o incremento das distâncias culturais, constituem um desafio a enfrentar pelo sistema escolar. Partindo da caraterização das dinâmicas migratórias na Europa e em Portugal, neste trabalho apresentam-se dados exploratórios sobre a heterogeneidade étnica e cultural, as dinâmicas socioespaciais e as políticas locais de integração das diferentes comunidades de Sintra, com particular ênfase na área educativa.
Determining the differences in nutrition knowledge, dietary behaviors, physical activity and self-efficacy behaviors based on obesity status among adolescents
Authors: Cangöl Sögüt Seda
Published: April 2018

Purpose: This study was conducted to specify the differences in nutrition knowledge, dietary behaviors, physical activity, and self-efficacy behaviors based on obesity status among adolescents.Methods: In the study, descriptive-correlational design type was used. The sample of the study consisted of 530 adolescents and their parents selected among 5th grade students studying in five secondary schools by using the stratified random sampling method. The study data were collected using the Family Information Questionnaire, the Nutrition Knowledge Scale,the Diet Behavior Scale,the Children’s Dietary Self-Efficacy Scale and the Exercise Behavior Scale. Adolescents were assessed according to body mass index percentages in overweight - obese and normal weight groups in two groups. SPSS 22 program was used in the analysis of the data. For the data assessment, descriptive statistical methods (mean, median, number, percentage) were used. Pearson’s Chi-Square test was applied for comparison of categorical data. The t-test was performed in between-group comparison of parameters. Results: 50.9% of the adolescents were male and 30% of them n=(159) were found to be overweight and obese according to BMI. There was no significant difference between the BMI normal, and overweight/obese adolescents according to gender, age, income status and the mother’s educational level (p>0.05). The difference between BMI normal and overweight/obese children based on Father’s Educational Level, Mother’s BMI, and Father’s BMI values was significant.  As educational level of the father and BMI value of mother and father increased, the rate of overweight-obese adolescents also increased (p<0.05). It was found that adolescents’ mean “physical activity behaviors” was 17.457 ± 3.732; “nutrition knowledge mean score” was 11,330 ± 3,258; “dietary self-efficacy” mean score was 5.138 ± 5.386; “dietary behavior” mean score was 3.694 ± 5.324. The adolescents’ physical activity behaviors were high, self-efficacy behaviors were good, and nutrition knowledge levels and dietary behaviors were at moderate level. Nutrition knowledge, dietary behaviors, and dietary self-efficacy of overweight and obese adolescents were found to be high (p<0.05). No significant difference was found among the groups based on physical activity behaviors (p>0.05).  Conclusion: All adolescents' nutritional knowledge and nutritional behavior scores were moderate. Nutrition knowledge, nutritional behavior and nutrition self-efficacy scores were high in overweight / obese adolescents. This result may be due to the fact that adolescents and parents in the overweight and obese group are more cautious about nutritional behavior.  It can be said that obese adolescents can not turn into information behaviors. Attempts can be made for this. In this regard, larger studies can be suggested.
Population trends of Goričko agricultural landscape birds
Authors: Denac Katarina , Kmecl Primož , Domanjko Gregor , Denac Damijan
Published: April 2018

Due to numerous bird surveys in the past 20 years, the avifauna of Goričko is relatively well known. For some species, the very first national ecological researches were conducted in this area. The article summarizes all bird surveys so far. It presents population trends of farmland species which is one of the most threatened bird groups in Europe. Most of the qualifying species of this habitat that are protected within the Natura 2000 network have suffered a decline at Goričko, specifically Quail Coturnix coturnix, Scops Owl Otus scops, Hoopoe Upupa epops, Woodlark Lullula arborea and White Stork Ciconia ciconia. The number of breeding pairs of the latter has not changed, but its fecundity has decreased. Furthermore, populations of other farmland bird species have decreased, for example Skylark Alauda arvensis, Stonechat Saxicola rubicola, Serin Serinus serinus and Common Linnet Linaria cannabina, as well as butterfly populations and tracts of grassland habitat types. National agricultural and nature conservation policies are evidently inefficient in protecting the biodiversity of Goričko. The most probable cause for bird population decline is agricultural intensification, which manifests itself at Goričko as disappearance and intensification of meadows, land consolidation, degradation of traditional orchards and use of pesticides. As a result of land consolidation hedges, uncultivated strips between fields, individual trees and bushes and minority habitat types are disappearing, whereas the surface of arable fields is increasing. Nature conservation measures performed by the Public Institute Goričko Nature Park with the support of DOPPS – BirdLife Slovenia volunteers seem to be efficient, but are spatially and temporally constrained. For this reason, they cannot serve as a substitute for insufficient systemic financing which could be improved by substantive and financial reform of the agri-environmental scheme. Currently, a negligible percentage (1% in 2016) of Goričko is covered by agrienvironmental scheme measures with positive influence on qualifying species and habitat types. As a consequence, only an insignificant share of subsidies from the Rural Development Plan is used for nature protection at Goričko. If the system of agricultural subsidies remains unaltered, no improvement of the conditions for bird conservation at Goričko can be expected.
Impact of Nanosilver and Nanocopper on Antifungal Properties of Plastic Elements in the Aspect of Their Use in Agri-Food Processing
Authors: Jałbrzykowski Marek , Leszczyńska Katarzyna , Obidziński Sławomir , Minarowski Łukasz , Laabs Magdalena
Published: April 2018

The paper presents results of microbiological research of plastic elements. Plastic elements were made of the polystyrene composition with addition of nanosilver and nanocopper with a laboratory extruder EHP 25ELine. Microbiological research was carried with regard to evaluation of antifungal impact of nanoadditives according to international standards with Cryobank (Mast Diagnostica). A positive impact of nanoadditives on antifungal properties of polystyrene elements produced by means of extrusion which is very favourable in the aspect of their use in agri-food processing.
The Use of Fabrics to Improve the Acoustic Absorption: Influence of the Woven Fabric Thread Density Over a Nonwoven
Authors: Segura-Alcaraz Pilar , Segura-Alcaraz Jorge , Montava Ignacio , Bonet-Aracil Marilés
Published: April 2018

Noise is frequently unnoticed, but it is one of the causes of unhealth for human beings reducing people’s quality of life. There are many materials that can be considered as acoustic absorbents. Textiles can be used to both improve the acoustic quality of and to decorate the room where they have been placed. In this study, we used some fabrics with 15, 20 and 30 ends/cm and 15, 20 and 30 picks/cm. The acoustic absorption coefficient was measured when the fabric was added as a resistive layer on top of a nonwoven made of polyester fiber. Results evidence that these fabrics can be efficiently used to modify the acoustic absorption of the nonwoven. Sound absorption coefficients measured via the impedance tube method show that these modifications occur. The results show how it is possible to improve the acoustic characteristics of a simple nonwoven to obtain sound absorption coefficients close to values of 1 at different frequencies by choosing a fabric with the appropriate combination of warp and weft count.
Two Implicit Meshless Finite Point Schemes for the Two-Dimensional Distributed-Order Fractional Equation
Authors: Salehi Rezvan
Published: April 2018

In this paper, the distributed-order time fractional sub-diffusion equation on the bounded domains is studied by using the finite-point-type meshless method. The finite point method is a point collocation based method which is truly meshless and computationally efficient. To construct the shape functions of the finite point method, the moving least square reproducing kernel approximation is employed. Two implicit discretisation of order

O
⁢

(
τ
)

{O(\tau)}

and

O
⁢

(

τ

1
+

1
2

⁢
σ

)

{O(\tau^{1+\frac{1}{2}\sigma})}

are derived, respectively. Stability and

L
2

{L^{2}}

norm convergence of the obtained difference schemes are proved. Numerical examples are provided to confirm the theoretical results.
Characterization of Thermal Energy Harvesting Using Pyroelectric Ceramics at Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Chavez Luis A. , Zayas Jimenez Fabian O. , Wilburn Bethany R. , Delfin Luis C. , Kim Hoejin , Love Norman , Lin Yirong
Published: April 2018

Energy harvesting has drawn increasing attention due to the fast development of wireless sensors and devices. Most research has been focused on mechanical energy harvesting using piezoelectric ceramics; however, little is known on their experimental capabilities to harvest thermal energy at different temperature ranges and the impact that the temperature range has on the energy conversion efficiency. Majority of piezoelectric ceramics are pyroelectric in nature thus enabling them to couple energy between thermal and electrical domains. This paper demonstrates the use of Lithium Niobate (LNB) as a thermal energy harvesting device for high temperature applications. A custom testing setup was developed to test the LNB sample temperatures up to 225 °C. Pyroelectric coefficient of the material was characterized at different temperature ranges. Pyroelectric coefficient was found to increase with temperature, with a maximum value of −196 μC·m−2 °C−1. Power output of the sample was also characterized in different temperature ranges. A maximum value of over 20.5 μW was found when cycling the sample between 75 °C and 100 °C. Meanwhile, a maximum value of 14.8 μW was found in the 125 °C to 150 °C range. Finally, a peak value of 255 nW was found when cycling the sample in the 200 °C to 225 °C range.
A Review on DNA Repair Inhibition by PARP Inhibitors in Cancer Therapy
Authors: Shah Ashish P. , Patel Chhagan N. , Sureja Dipen K. , Sanghavi Kirtan P.
Published: April 2018

The DNA repair process protects the cells from DNA damaging agent by multiple pathways. Majority of the cancer therapy cause DNA damage which leads to apoptosis. The cell has natural ability to repair this damage which ultimately leads to development of resistance of drugs. The key enzymes involved in DNA repair process are poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARP). Tumor cells repair their defective gene via defective homologues recombination (HR) in the presence of enzyme PARP. PARP inhibitors inhibit the enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) which lead to apoptosis of cancer cells. Current clinical data shows the role of PARP inhibitors is not restricted to BRCA mutations but also effective in HR dysfunctions related tumors. Therefore, investigation in this area could be very helpful for future therapy of cancer. This review gives detail information on the role of PARP in DNA damage repair, the role of PARP inhibitors and chemistry of currently available PARP inhibitors.
Lateral Cephalometric Study in Adult Bulgarians with Normal Occlusion
Authors: Todorova-Plachiyska Katya G. , Stoilova-Todorova Mariya G.
Published: April 2018

Orthodontic treatment is effective when the facial and cephalometric characteristics of the ethnic background of patients are considered because the normal measurements for one group are not necessarily normal for another group. It is important to develop individual standards for each population. Different racial groups must be treated according to their own characteristics.

The aim of this study was to establish a cephalometric standard of the cranial bases and jaw bases for Bulgarian population and to find the differences between males and females. The pilot study included 390 adult Bulgarians. Of these, 90 cases with intact dentitions, harmonious faces and Angle Class I occlusion who have not received orthodontic treatment, were purposefully selected. Lateral cephalometric radiographs of the selected subjects were taken. Six linear/angular measurements combining sagittal parameters selected form Steiner (ANB angular indicator), Schwarz (S–N, Ba–N, A1–PNS, Go– APMan linear indicators) and Jacobson (WITS–linear indicator) analysis were recorded. Student’s t-test with 5% significance level was used for data analysis (means, standard deviations, maximum and minimum values) and to assess gender differences. A gender-based cephalometric analysis of indicators found that there are statistically significant differences. Only the ANB angular parameter did not show any statistically significant difference between genders. The cephalometric variables measured in this study were significantly different between the genders except for angle ANB, and they were higher in boys. The results of our study confirm previous research on the topic presented in specialized literature.
Comorbidities of COPD in Bulgarian Patients – Prevalence and Association with Severity and Inflammation
Authors: Stratev Velin , Petkova Diana , Dimitrova Valentina , Petev Jordan
Published: April 2018

Background:wis a disease with constantly rising economic and social burden; it is associated with multiple comorbidities which contribute to the disease severity.

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of co-morbidities in COPD patients and their association with the disease severity and CRP levels.

Patients and methods: We conducted a retrospective study among 338 COPD patients (mean age 65.2±7.6 years) with assessment of comorbidities, spirometry measurements and serum levels of CRP. In 183 patients we found metabolic syndrome (MS) according to IDF criteria.

Results: We found prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) of 73.5% (hyper-tension 70.4%, CHF 47.4%, ishemic heart disease 37.5%, and cardiac arrhythmias 12.6%), with higher prevalence in patients with more severe disease. We found prevalence of type 2 diabetes of 21.1%, and 12.4% prevalence of bronchiectasis. In a subpopulation of the patients we found 48.1% prevalence of MS and the serum levels of CRP were significantly higher in patients with COPD and MS compared to those without the syndrome: 7.4 (3.14 – 11. 54) mg/ml vs 4.06 (2.64 – 6.93) mg/ml, p=0.006.

Conclusion: The present study suggests high prevalence of CVD comorbidities in COPD patients and association with the disease severity. Metabolic syndrome is a common comorbidity and is associated with increased inflammatory response.
On measurability of real-valued functions in infinite-dimensional topological vector spaces
Authors: Beriashvili Mariam , Gill Tepper , Kirtadze Aleks
Published: April 2018

Some related questions concerning the measurability
properties of real-valued functions with respect to a certain class
of measures are discussed.