bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of competition – colonization tradeoffs and spatial heterogeneity in promoting trematode coexistence
Authors: Mordecai Erin A. , Jaramillo Alejandra G. , Ashford Jacob E. , Hechinger Ryan F. , Lafferty Kevin D.
Published: June 2016

Competition – colonization tradeoffs occur in many systems, and theory predicts that they can strongly promote species coexistence. However, there is little empirical evidence that observed competition‐ colonization tradeoffs are strong enough to maintain diversity in natural systems. This is due in part to a mismatch between theoretical assumptions and biological reality in some systems. We tested whether a competition – colonization tradeoff explains how a diverse trematode guild coexists in California horn snail populations, a system that meets the requisite criteria for the tradeoff to promote coexistence. A field experiment showed that subordinate trematode species tended to have higher colonization rates than dominant species. This tradeoff promoted coexistence in parameterized models but did not fully explain trematode diversity and abundance, suggesting a role of additional diversity maintenance mechanisms. Spatial heterogeneity is an alternative way to promote coexistence if it isolates competing species. We used scale transition theory to expand the competition – colonization tradeoff model to include spatial variation. The parameterized model showed that spatial variation in trematode prevalence did not isolate most species sufficiently to explain the overall high diversity, but could benefit some rare species. Together, the results suggest that several mechanisms combine to maintain diversity, even when a competition – colonization tradeoff occurs.
Enhanced facilitation at the extreme end of the aridity gradient in the Atacama Desert: a community‐level approach
Authors: López Ramiro Pablo , Squeo Francisco A. , Armas Cristina , Kelt Douglas A. , Gutiérrez Julio R.
Published: June 2016

Plant facilitation is now recognized as an important process in severe environments. However, there is still no agreement on how facilitation changes as conditions become increasingly severe. The classic stress gradient hypothesis (SGH) predicts a monotonic increase in facilitation, which rises in frequency as conditions approach the extreme end of the environmental gradient. However, few studies have evaluated the validity of the SGH at the community level, the level at which it was formulated. Moreover, few studies have tested the SGH at either extreme of the gradient, and very few have excluded the effect of livestock on community response to stress. In line with the SGH, we hypothesized that several spatial pattern summary statistics would change monotonically from the least to the most arid sites, indicating increasingly aggregated patterns. In this study, we performed an evaluation of the SGH both within communities of shrub species and across a large portion of the Atacama Desert, and we isolated the abiotic component of the SGH. Our environmental gradient covered an extreme aridity gradient (<20–130 mm annual precipitation). To perform point pattern analysis, we established 13 sites with environmental conditions representing four distinct levels of this gradient. Further, we conducted species co‐occurrence analyses at 19 sites along the gradient. Both sets of analyses showed stronger positive spatial associations among plants at the most extreme end of the gradient. This was true regardless of whether we included all individuals, only small individuals located around large ones, or individuals in species pairs. Moreover, species tended to show greater co‐occurrence as environmental severity increased. This increase in aggregation in the plant community seems to correlate with an increase in the strength of positive interspecific interactions, rather than greater clustering within each species. These monotonic increases in species co‐occurrence and spatial association in more severe environments are consistent with some of the predictions of SGH, and collectively these results suggest that as the climate becomes more arid, positive species pairs interactions tend to be prevalent in the community.
Plant community and soil chemistry responses to long‐term nitrogen inputs drive changes in alpine bacterial communities
Authors: Yuan Xia , Knelman Joseph E. , Gasarch Eve , Wang Deli , Nemergut Diana R. , Seastedt Timothy R.
Published: June 2016

Bacterial community composition and diversity was studied in alpine tundra soils across a plant species and moisture gradient in 20 yr‐old experimental plots with four nutrient addition regimes (control, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) or both nutrients). Different bacterial communities inhabited different alpine meadows, reflecting differences in moisture, nutrients and plant species. Bacterial community alpha‐diversity metrics were strongly correlated with plant richness and the production of forbs. After meadow type, N addition proved the strongest determinant of bacterial community structure. Structural Equation Modeling demonstrated that tundra bacterial community responses to N addition occur via changes in plant community composition and soil pH resulting from N inputs, thus disentangling the influence of direct (resource availability) vs. indirect (changes in plant community structure and soil pH) N effects that have remained unexplored in past work examining bacterial responses to long‐term N inputs in these vulnerable environments. Across meadow types, the relative influence of these indirect N effects on bacterial community structure varied. In explicitly evaluating the relative importance of direct and indirect effects of long‐term N addition on bacterial communities, this study provides new mechanistic understandings of the interaction between plant and microbial community responses to N inputs amidst environmental change.
Soil moisture mediates alpine life form and community productivity responses to warming
Authors: Winkler Daniel E. , Chapin Kenneth J. , Kueppers Lara M.
Published: June 2016

Climate change is expected to alter primary production and community composition in alpine ecosystems, but the direction and magnitude of change is debated. Warmer, wetter growing seasons may increase productivity; however, in the absence of additional precipitation, increased temperatures may decrease soil moisture, thereby diminishing any positive effect of warming. Since plant species show individual responses to environmental change, responses may depend on community composition and vary across life form or functional groups. We warmed an alpine plant community at Niwot Ridge, Colorado continuously for four years to test whether warming increases or decreases productivity of life form groups and the whole community. We provided supplemental water to a subset of plots to alleviate the drying effect of warming. We measured annual above‐ground productivity and soil temperature and moisture, from which we calculated soil degree days and adequate soil moisture days. Using an information‐theoretic approach, we observed that positive productivity responses to warming at the community level occur only when warming is combined with supplemental watering; otherwise we observed decreased productivity. Watering also increased community productivity in the absence of warming. Forbs accounted for the majority of the productivity at the site and drove the contingent community response to warming, while cushions drove the generally positive response to watering and graminoids muted the community response. Warming advanced snowmelt and increased soil degree days, while watering increased adequate soil moisture days. Heated and watered plots had more adequate soil moisture days than heated plots. Overall, measured changes in soil temperature and moisture in response to treatments were consistent with expected productivity responses. We found that available soil moisture largely determines the responses of this forb‐dominated alpine community to simulated climate warming.
Drought, pollen and nectar availability, and pollination success
Authors: Waser Nickolas M. , Price Mary V.
Published: June 2016

Pollination success of animal‐pollinated flowers depends on rate of pollinator visits and on pollen deposition per visit, both of which should vary with the pollen and nectar “neighborhoods” of a plant, i.e., with pollen and nectar availability in nearby plants. One determinant of these neighborhoods is per‐flower production of pollen and nectar, which is likely to respond to environmental influences. In this study, we explored environmental effects on pollen and nectar production and on pollination success in order to follow up a surprising result from a previous study: flowers of Ipomopsis aggregata received less pollen in years of high visitation by their hummingbird pollinators. A new analysis of the earlier data indicated that high bird visitation corresponded to drought years. We hypothesized that drought might contribute to the enigmatic prior result if it decreases both nectar and pollen production: in dry years, low nectar availability could cause hummingbirds to visit flowers at a higher rate, and low pollen availability could cause them to deposit less pollen per visit. A greenhouse experiment demonstrated that drought does reduce both pollen and nectar production by I. aggregata flowers. This result was corroborated across 6 yr of variable precipitation and soil moisture in four unmanipulated field populations. In addition, experimental removal of pollen from flowers reduced the pollen received by nearby flowers. We conclude that there is much to learn about how abiotic and biotic environmental drivers jointly affect pollen and nectar production and availability, and how this contributes to pollen and nectar neighborhoods and thus influences pollination success.
Ontogenetic shifts in a freshwater cleaning symbiosis: consequences for hosts and their symbionts
Authors: Thomas Michael J. , Creed Robert P. , Skelton James , Brown Bryan L.
Published: June 2016

Animal fitness is influenced by diverse assemblages of internal and external symbionts. These assemblages often change throughout host ontogeny, but the mechanisms that underlie these changes and their consequences for host fitness are seldom revealed. Here we examine a cleaning symbiosis between crayfish and an assemblage of ectosymbiotic branchiobdellidan worms to uncover what mechanisms drive changes in symbiont composition during host ontogeny and the consequences of these changes for both the host and symbionts. In surveys of a North Carolina river, the dominant worm species shifted from Cambarincola philadelphicus to Cambarincola ingens as crayfish (Cambarus bartonii) increased in size. We demonstrate that this shift is a function of host regulation by small crayfish and exclusion by a dominant symbiont on large crayfish. In a controlled lab experiment, small crayfish often removed their symbionts but C. ingens was removed at a higher rate than C. philadelphicus. In contrast, C. ingens had higher survivorship and reproduction than C. philadelphicus on large crayfish. We also measured the effect of each worm species on crayfish growth through ontogeny; neither worm species had an effect on small crayfish but both species had similar positive effects on the growth of large crayfish relative to controls. Evidence from another experiment suggested that intraguild predation by C. ingens caused a decline in C. philadelphicus on large crayfish. We have shown that shifts in partner fitness are a function of host size and that these shifts can involve the succession of symbionts. Further, our results suggest that changes in the outcome of symbioses can remain robust throughout host ontogeny despite interactive mechanisms that lead to shifts in symbiont community structure.
Ranking strategic and operative goals for sustainable development of Pohorje, Slovenia
Authors: Grošelj Petra , Zadnik-Stirn Lidija , Danev Gregor , Krajčič Darij
Published: May 2016

The combination of participatory process and multi-criteria decision methods have proven to be effective in supporting forest management decisions, since it offers inclusion of different opinions, views, and preferences of the problem. Our study is based on the results of the NATREG project, which deals with management of Pohorje, a mountain area in Slovenia. The results define six strategic goals and appertaining operative goals, which are the outcomes of workshops with different stakeholders. The aim of our study is ranking the strategic goals according to their contribution in the implementation of the "Pohorje 2030" vision and of the operative goals according to the appertaining strategic goals. Analytic hierarchy process is applied for comparisons of goals. Geometric mean method is employed for aggregating individual judgments into group judgment. The results show that all strategic goals are important, although most attention should be devoted to the goals "Preserved cultural heritage and local tradition" and "Environmental and consumer friendly usage of natural resources".
Traduções de Maquiavel: da Índia portuguesa ao Brasil
Authors: Bentes Monteiro Rodrigo
Published: June 2016

Apresentação do Dossiê
The Importance of Local Oriented Dissemination of Reconstruction: The Design of Tohoku Reconstruction & DRR Pavilion
Authors: Iwasawa Takumi ,   Department of Architecture and Building Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University  6-6-06, Aoba, Aramaki-aza, Aoba-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi-ken, Japan, Onoda Yasuaki
Published: May 2016

The Tohoku Reconstruction & Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Pavilion at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction was designed to provide information on and ideas about the great East Japan earthquake (GEJE) disaster and the reconstruction efforts and lessons learned from it. Disseminating information on disaster and reconstruction is essential to achieving DRR by multistakeholders through sharing knowledge such as objective perspectives, the historical background of disaster responses and the reality of reconstruction. The pavilion’s original production structure lacked a scheme unifying strong regional institutions such as the International Research Institute of Disaster Science and local creative talent. The original pavilion proposal also did not convey the disaster’s multiple facets. The Sendai School of Design (SSD) served as an intermediate platform for unifying academic knowledge, regional creative professionals and local bodies. The SSD designed and produced a pavilion for the diverse visitors from different backgrounds, literacy, experience and language with the local oriented production structure for dissemination directed by T. Iwasawa with the supervision by Y. Onoda. Effective dissemination enhances awareness and helps promote the DRR and implement reconstruction through the sharing of information. The local oriented production structure proved to effectively organize local power and knowledge for this purpose.
Engagement in Online Learning: A Case Study on MBA Students Undertaking Professional Internships
Authors: Yakavenka Hanna , De Vita Riccardo
Published: May 2016

This study is a critical evaluation of the online interactions of learners registered on a professional development course which will contribute to the general academic debate and assist in the design of a specific course. From a theoretical point of view, existing studies reported that one of the major obstacles to successful online learning is the isolation of learners (McDonald et al., 2005). A detailed visualization  and analysis of online engagement and communication is discussed through the use of appropriate methodologies. The course under investigation was recently reviewed and stronger emphasis was puton online activities to leverage the properties of Moodle. An analysis of students’ engagement and performance is deemed extremely relevant for the course and the improvement of the overall learning experience of its participants.
An Evaluation of the Use of a New Virtual Learning Environment for a Postgraduate Hospital Pharmacist Programme
Authors: Bailey Isobel
Published: May 2016

As part of the collaboration with the University of Brighton a new VLE has been developed. This case study describes what was required of the VLE and how it has been developed and used to date.Requirements that the new VLE needed to address included:Students based externally being able to access course materials.Students on the same course being registered at two universities.Academic staff based at two universities being able to share teaching materials.Work-based tutors working across twelve hospital NHS Trusts being able to access course materials.
Plymouth University goes digital for better access to textbooks
Authors: Bennett Linda
Published: May 2016

This paper describes the first part of a resources provision experiment that is currently taking place at Plymouth University; it involves the ‘free’ provision of all recommended texts to first year Psychology students in digital format, supplied via the Vital Source electronic delivery platform.  The university is paying a discounted price for the service by subtracting the sum negotiated from course fees.  The paper draws on student feedback collected from Dr Philip Gee, the Course Director, after the first term.  It places the initiative within the wider context of changes in academia and academic publishing. It is an interim account, to be followed up with a more detailed report when the project has been completed in 2014.  Broadly, initial reactions from students were favourable, though some said that they would have preferred print if it had also been available ‘free’ and a small minority did not like the e-book format at all.
M Level primary mathematics CPD: an identity crisis?
Authors: Richardson Gemma Louise
Published: May 2016

One key outcome of a recent seminal review of primary mathematics was a renewed emphasis on the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for teachers of primary mathematics (Williams, 2008). The National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM) endorses its importance (Hoyles, 2012) and the current Government emphasises the importance of teacher quality (DfE, 2010). However, a prerequisite for the success of the drive to broaden participation in primary mathematics CPD is the willingness and commitment of individual teachers to enrol on relevant programmes.This study explores barriers and incentives early career primary teachers experience regarding Masters-level primary mathematics CPD relating to their personal and professional identity. Its focus is the teachers’ analyses of their experiences and data was collected through questionnaires and follow-up, in-depth individual interviews. Findings indicate that teachers’ academic identities impact on the uptake of Masters-level primary mathematics CPD and that their personal identities as working family members can be influential. Implications for practice in both primary schools and Higher Education Institutions providing initial teacher education are discussed.
In praise of Yellow Pages
Authors: Stoneham Ray
Published: May 2016

An examination of why many students do not see the point of referencing, and why most students find it difficult.
'Shared listening': using a World cafe approach as a revision tool in a final year undergraduate programme
Authors: Farr Jackie
Published: May 2016

World Café was developed originally in the 1990s as a method to harvest collective knowledge through discussion, conversation and ‘shared listening’ (Brown, 2002). This case study considers its use as a revision tool for a final examination. ‘Circulating focus groups’ (Ritch & Brennen, 2010) revealed lack of background reading or full immersion in the topic by individuals; early saturation of topics and over-confidence or sketchy knowledge resulting in incomplete information. The process required close management by the ‘host’ (tutor) and was useful for students with dyslexia. Whilst it appears to be a liberating experience for students, there remains an argument about both the nature of University assessment and the need to support and prepare students for exams.
A narrative approach to considering the role of the lecturer in developing autonomy in final year undergraduates
Authors: Lewis Jesmond
Published: May 2016

This paper reviews the process of adopting a collaborative approach to enabling final year students to develop autonomy through the use of a negotiated learning plan and co-constructed curriculum. The students undertake a collaborative project that models real-world working practices. The lecturer supports the students’ objectives.  This piece takes a narrative approach to reflecting on the experience of the lecturer.
Identifying Factors that Influence the Uptake and Use of Moodle by Academics in three Arts Departments at Roehampton University
Authors: Shackleford-Cesare Karen
Published: May 2016

This paper explores factors influencing both the take up of Moodle at Roehampton University and the ways it was used by academics to support learning and teaching. It builds on the work of others who have sought to explore and explain why the introduction of various technologies in higher education have not transformed teaching practice in ways anticipated. This study also sought to inform policy and practice in the provision of support for academics in their use of learning technologies.
The Challenges of using disruptive technologies/innovations in a cyber-landscape
Authors: Kiernan Mary
Published: May 2016

DisruptiveTechnologies was a term coined by Clayton Christensen, in his 1997 book “TheInnovator’s Dilemma”.  Disruptivetechnologies are about new technologies that even though they often lackrefinement and performance unexpectedly replace an established technology.   One example of this is Minecraft which wascreated by Markus Persson through a gaming website for his friends.   “Minecraft is a game about breaking andplacing blocks. At first, people built structures to protect against nocturnalmonsters, but as the game grew players worked together to create wonderful,imaginative things.” (minecraft.net)  Thegraphics are not very good and it uses pixelated blocks as building blocks thatyou move around by pressing the cursor keys. However it is very easy to use.  Minecraftis, in essence, an online Lego kit and has effectively taken over the online‘Lego’ market.   Lego did produce theonline Lego Universe.  They listened totheir customers who wanted everything included and Lego produced a high qualityproduct with over 80,000 blocks and contained all of the complexities ofLego.   It did attract enough users andit was withdrawn in 2012.
Bridging the gap with intranets
Authors: Stoneham Ray
Published: May 2016

Linking Connected Learning in an Open World to University League Tables
Growing separation between teaching/ learning and research – anticipating the impacts from REF 2014.
Authors: Cabral Ana Paula , Huet Isabel
Published: May 2016

Most quality assessment systems are based on an explicit separation of teaching/learning and research; however, in spite of their having enhanced both the organisation and quality improvement of each of these fields, they have also been contributing to a widening of the gap between the two and to the devaluation of teaching.The present study, developed in the UK, intends to provide some insights into the perceptions of former panel members, managers and academics, as they anticipate the impacts from REF 2014. Increasing pressure to achieve high-quality research has been leading institutions to hire the most prestigious researchers. Were there to be equivalent effort to achieve parity in the quality of teaching, this situation might be less worrying, for teaching does not currently enjoy the same investment; rather, its very inferiority is considered to have an even more negative impact on the development of new practices, as well as on student learning and support.
The Business Studies University
Authors: Ainley Patrick
Published: May 2016

The Business Studies University
The BCS Appathon Challenge at Greenwich
Authors: Boldyreff Cornelia , Arafa Yasmine , Malik Asif , Wicks Andy , Windall Gillian
Published: May 2016

The BCS Appathon set out to engage as many people as possible in the UK during one hour in programming an app for their mobile phones. Just over 50 people took part at Greenwich: students, staff, families and members of the general public. The Appathon's aim was to get participants to develop their own simple app during a one hour highly interactive workshop. The workshop continued on allowing Appathon attendees to work developing apps of their own design. In the concluding session, participants had an opportunity to present their apps in a “show and tell” activity.The success of the Appathon has encouraged staff in the department to think of how it could be employed with first year students who are active smart phone users but find programming difficult and lack confident when starting to learn programming. By putting first year students through the Appathon experience, we hope to create a large pool of student ambassadors who can work with us in taking the Appathon to local schools and using it as a taster event at our open days.
Editors Introduction to Issue 12
Authors: Tran Danielle
Published: May 2016

Editors Introduction to Issue 12
Creating and Implementing a Biodiversity Recording App for Teaching and Research in Environmental Studies
Authors: White Elizabeth , Basford Liam , Birch Stephen , Black Alison , Culham Alastair , McGoff Hazel J , Lundqvist Karsten O , Oppenheimer Philippa , Tanner Jonathan , Wells Mark , Mauchline Alice L
Published: May 2016

This case study reports on the development of a bespoke mobile recording app for collating records of biodiversity sightings on a University campus. This innovative project was achieved through a multi-disciplinary partnership of staff and students. It is hoped that the app itself will benefit lecturers by streamlining data collection during teaching and learning activities, whilst engaging students and highlighting the wealth of diversity available on campus
Students4WebES Edited Project Report
Authors: Procter-Legg Emma , Lessner Ellen
Published: May 2016

Report on the Students for Webinar and Employability Skills (Students4webES) project run at Abingdon and Witney College between October 2012 and April 2013. The project was funded by the Jisc Advance FE and Skills Programme and aimed to develop employability skills for Level 3 FE students in relation to using video conferencing and webinars and assess whether this was a beneficial digital employability skill. Students were trained to use video conferencing and to run a webinar, with the aim of setting up and running between 7-15 short webinars with employers around the theme of ‘What does an employer want from an employee?” Additionally the project aimed to produce:A student centred guide to running a webinarRecordings of employer webinars (with full consent from employer) for use in future tutorials related to employabilityA student led conference, supported by the JISC RSC SE, on the theme of employability skills using video conferencing and webinars.
Characterization of Elastic Anisotropy in Eagle Ford Shale: Impact of Heterogeneity and Measurement Scale
Authors: Mokhtari Mehdi , Honarpour Matt M. , Tutuncu Azra N. , Boitnott Gregory N.
Published: June 2016

Heterogeneity and anisotropy were characterized in some Eagle Ford shale samples at various scales by use of scanning-electron-microscopy (SEM) imaging, computed-tomography (CT) scanning, and compressional-velocity scanning. Triaxial testing on 1-in.-diameter and 3-in.-diameter core samples and well-log analysis were used to calculate elastic properties by using vertical transverse isotropic modeling. Correlations between the stiffness coefficients and the correlations between static and dynamic properties from laboratory tests were applied to well-log analysis to improve the calculation of minimum horizontal stress. This paper provides the elastic properties of the Eagle Ford shale at various measurement scales. The paper also elaborates the role of heterogeneity in laboratory testing of shale reservoirs.
Acoustic Velocity Measurements and Interpretation for Challenging Fluid Systems
Authors: Lewis Edward , Dindoruk Birol
Published: June 2016

In terms of experimentation, acoustic velocity can be measured with a high degree of accuracy. Several thermodynamic properties related to acoustic velocity such as density, isothermal compressibility, and heat capacity can be extracted from measured data. In this study, technical improvements are implemented in an effort to develop a technique for fast and reliable determination of fluid properties on the basis of acoustic velocity measurements over an expanded range of pressures. The potential use of this device as a quality-control tool in typical pressure/volume/temperature (PVT) measurements is demonstrated.

Baseline measurements matched to published literature verify the suitability of the device. Results of tests on three recombined oil samples containing dissolved gas, with prescribed gas/oil ratios (GORs), and one bitumen sample are presented. A sharp change in the acoustic velocity trend near the gas/liquid-saturation point is evidence of gas evolution during depressurization. Strong attenuation complicates measurement of acoustic velocity on the heavy fluids used in this study. Blending bitumen with a midrange-molecular-weight hydrocarbon mixture enables estimation of the undiluted-fluid acoustic velocity by extrapolation.

By use of the measured acoustic velocity data available, a methodology is developed to estimate and quality check measured isothermal compressibility (κT) values. This is especially important for low-compressibility systems. Heat-capacity data for simple alkanes (CH4 to n-C10) and toluene helps to define a reasonable range of heat-capacity ratio (γ) expected for typical reservoir fluids. For the typical values of acoustic velocity encountered in the pressure and temperature range of interest, the isothermal compressibility can be calculated and/or quality checked by use of estimated values of γ. In addition, by use of various data sets and by performing graphical error analysis, we have shown the reasons that the methodology works. Available data for n-decane and n-hexadecane along with measured data for a live oil and numerical work on calibrated data sets in this study are used to develop the methodology.
A dimensão meritocrática dos testes estandardizados e a responsabilização unilateral dos docentes
Authors: Richter Leonice Matilde , Souza Vilma Aparecida , Silva Maria Vieira
Published: June 2016

Analisa-se a relação entre as políticas educacionais elaboradas pelo Estado e a intensificação do trabalho docente mediante testes estandardizados na educação brasileira, a qual é entendida como estratégia inerente à sua lógica gerencial. Como recorte empírico realizamos questionários e entrevistas com profissionais da rede Estadual de ensino de Minas Gerais. Os resultados evidenciam a responsabilização unilateral docente pelos resultados dos testes; omissão do Estado na promoção de condições de trabalho e a promoção de princípios competitivos e meritocráticos na escola pública.
Sistemas estaduais de avaliação: interfaces com qualidade e gestão da educação
Authors: Machado Cristiane , Alavarse Ocimar Munhoz , Arcas Paulo Henrique
Published: June 2016

Explorar possíveis interfaces entre a configuração dos Sistemas Estaduais de Avaliação com qualidade e gestão da educação é o objetivo deste artigo. Dentre os 27 entes federados, 19 possuem sistemas próprios de avaliação (LOPES, 2007; SOUSA; OLIVEIRA, 2010; GAME, 2011). Verificou-se que, de modo geral, esses sistemas possuem as mesmas características e o mesmo desenho do Sistema de Avaliação da Educação Básica (Saeb). Constataram-se as tendências de uso dos dados obtidos para subsidiar a elaboração de indicadores estaduais de qualidade da educação e dos resultados das aferições dos estudantes para avaliação de desempenho docente, com a atribuição de gratificações e bônus, indicando a adoção da lógica de que a produção da qualidade e a gestão da educação podem ser forjadas com base em mecanismos de quase mercado.
Facile one pot synthesis of zinc oxide nanorods and statistical evaluation for photocatalytic degradation of a diazo dye
Authors: Dutta Suvanka , Ghosh Ananya , Kabir Humayun , Saha Rajnarayan
Published: June 2016

In the present work zinc oxide nanorods (ZNRs) have been synthesized to estimate its photocatalytic degradation potential on an industrially used diazo dye and optimization of the total treatment process has been designed. Response surface methodology (RSM) has been used to model the operational parameters for this photocatalytic degradation. The crystallite size (101 plane) of the synthesized ZNR has been found to be 20.99 nm having a band gap energy of 3.45 eV. At elevated pH, the rate of degradation of the photocatalyst was found to be higher than that of acidic pH. The independent variables of the model are time (9.6–122 min), pH (2–12.2), catalyst dose (0.2–0.4 g/L) and dye concentration (88–512 mg/L). It was seen that the degradation efficiency was significantly affected by the initial dye concentration and the pH, the optimal values of the parameters being a pH of 10.67, an initial concentration of 150 mg/L and ZnO dose of 0.37 g/L, the time taken being 88.52 min. The actual degradation efficiency of the dye reached 96.9% at optimized condition, which is quite close to the predicted value of 98.07%.
Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Authors: Choudhry Muhammad Naghman , Ahmad Zafar , Verma Rajat
Published: May 2016

Background:

Scoliosis refers to deviation of spine greater than 10 degrees in the coronal plane. Idiopathic Scoliosis is the most common spinal deformity that develops in otherwise healthy children. The sub types of scoliosis are based on the age of the child at presentation. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) by definition occurs in children over the age of 10 years until skeletal maturity.

Objective:

The objective of this review is to outline the features of AIS to allow the physician to recognise this condition and commence early treatment, thereby optimizing patient outcome.

Method:

A thorough literature search was performed using available databases, including Pubmed and Embase, to cover important research published covering AIS.

Conclusion:

AIS results in higher incidence of back pain and discontent with body image. Curves greater than 50 degrees in thoracic region and greater than 30 degrees in lumbar region progress at a rate of 0.5 to 1 degree per year into adulthood. Curves greater than 60 degrees can lead to pulmonary functional deficit. Therefore once the disease is recognized, effective treatment should be instituted to address the deformity and prevention of its long-term sequelae.
The Effect of Boundary Conditions on the Behaviour of Pointed Masonry Barrel Vaults: Late Gothic Cases in Scotland
Authors: Theodossopoulos D. , Makoond N. , AKL L.
Published: June 2016

Barrel vaults provide effective fire-proof roofing in historic churches, castles, cloisters or halls that look for simple and utilitarian aesthetics, as long as they are strongly connected to sturdy lateral walls and transverse gables, conditions that limit their possibilities for spatial expression. A study of the effect of these conditions was carried out on the pointed vaults of a characteristic group of 15thcentury Scottish churches. Following earlier measured surveys that showed remarkable geometric integrity, 1/15-scale models of a representative form were made in reinforced plaster that could delay the cracks propagation enough to be monitored. Only the shell was considered, leaving the effect of ribs or diaphragms that hold the heavy flagstone roof for further study. The model was subject to symmetric and asymmetric horizontal spread, which simulated the insufficient containment of not very stiff walls, but included the effect of gable end walls. Cracks formed invariably at an early stage (3% of the span spread), propagating more rapidly and causing early failure at a symmetrical spread (15% of span), while the asymmetrical spread produced diagonal crack patterns across the vault at 33% of the span. Gables provided more stiff areas but eventually caused local detachment at the spread point, at only 5% of the span, with cracks propagating to the back wall and at a higher rate when a less stiff gable was included(13% of span). The results validated an FE model that provided further insight to the performance of the type at displacement and settlement, as exemplified in the case of Bothwell church in Scotland.
Maternal and neonatal outcome of spontaneous versus induced labour at term
Authors: Shrestha Dipty , Bajracharya Junu , Shrestha Nira Singh
Published: May 2016

Background: Induction of labour today has become the most common obstetric intervention. It is increasing worldwide but there are still controversies regarding its benefits.Objective: To compare the maternal and neonatal outcomes of elective induction of labour with spontaneous onset of labour in pregnant women from 40 to 42 weeks of gestation at Kathmandu Medical College and Teaching Hospital (KMCTH).Methods: This was a comparative hospital based study that was conducted at KMCTH from 15th April 2013 to 15th April 2014. Three hundred women with singleton pregnancies from 40 to 42 weeks of gestation without any risk factors were enrolled and among these 150 women were selected for induction of labour by purposive sampling. Among these, those with Bishops score less than six were induced with prostaglandin E2 which was administered intracervically followed by intravenous infusion of oxytocin in an escalating dose. Those with Bishops score more than six were directly induced with intravenous oxytocin in an escalating dose. Another 150 women were allowed to go into spontaneous onset of labour. The outcome that were looked upon were mode of delivery, rate of caesarean section, maternal morbidities which included post partum haemorrhage (PPH), haematoma, third and fourth degree perineal tears, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission and also neonatal morbidities and mortality.Results: Among 150 pregnant women undergoing induction of labour, 82 (54.6%) had normal delivery, 10 (6.6%) had instrumental delivery and 58 (38.8%) had caesarean section whereas among another 150 pregnant women with spontaneous onset of labour 57 (38%) had normal delivery, 9 (6%) had instrumental delivery and 84 (56%) had caesarean section. Regarding the neonatal morbidities, NICU admissions were more in those with spontaneous onset of labour than induced labour; 20 (13.3%) and 14 (9.3%) respectively. The commonest indication for neonatal intensive care unit admission was meconium stained liquor.Conclusion: Elective induction of labour is associated with lesser rates of caesarean section and does reduce the NICU admissions when compared with spontaneous onset of labour.Journal of Kathmandu Medical College, Vol. 4(1) 2015, 8-11
Multiple myeloma treated with single agent dexamethasone
Authors: Acharya Sandhya Chapagain , Karn Ambuj , Acharya Bibek , Paudel Bishnu D.
Published: May 2016

Multiple myeloma is less frequently diagnosed in our part of the world. As per the hospital based cancer registry of Nepal, it accounts for 0.4% of all cancer cases diagnosed annually1. Usually they present with symptoms of chronic renal failure which is part of CRAB: elevated calcium (C), renal failure (R), anemia (A) and bone lesions (B). The symptoms and signs vary greatly as many organs can be affected by myeloma. Furthermore, the incidence is high in older age group with co morbidities demanding the patient tailored treatment. Here, we present a case of multiple myeloma which was treated with single agent dexamethasone. On initial evaluation patient had stage III disease with features of cord compression, so was started with immediate radiation therapy to the cervical and lumbar vertebrae followed by single agent dexamethasone as he denied further cytotoxic treatment. The patient is on regular follow up and in remission after six years of treatment. We are in the era where there is armor of chemotherapeutic agents along with bone marrow transplantation for the treatment of multiple myeloma. This case may represent an example and single agent dexamethasone can be an option for the treatment of the patient who is in poor general condition to receive the cytotoxic chemotherapy or denies to such therapy but it should be a choice only to a selected subgroup of patient population.Journal of Kathmandu Medical College, Vol. 4(1) 2015, 26-28
Intraoperative visual experience and preoperative counselling during phacoemulsification under topical anaesthesia
Authors: Shakya Kiran , Pandey Suprada Pokhrel , Pokhrel Ram Prasad , Pokhrel Om Krishna
Published: May 2016

Background: Phacoemulsification surgery using topical anesthesia makes patient experience a multitude of visual sensations. However, it makes cataract surgery safe with the quickest visual recovery.Objective: To find the effect of preoperative counseling about potential intraoperative visual experience during phacoemulsification under topical anesthesia to alleviate fear in patients having cataract surgery.Methods: This non- randomized and non comparative study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital from February 2015 to April 2015. Forty five adult patients underwent cataract surgery (phacoemulsification with foldable intraocular lens implantation) under topical anesthesia using Proparacaine hydrochloride 0.5 % eye drops by a single surgeon. All patients received counseling on the potential intraoperative visual experience during phacoemulsification. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographics, pain, intraoperative visual experiences and their fear. Participants were asked if they experienced visual sensations such as light perception, gush of water and movements during surgery.Results: Nineteen (42.2%) of them were men and 26 (57.8%) were women. Sixty nine percent of the patients were above 60 years. All of them reported having experienced visual sensations during surgery, the most common being light perception (100%), movements of instruments or surgeon’s hands (91.1%) and gush of water (62.2%). One case (4.4%) felt tolerable pain associated with fear (P=0.000) due to these visual experience.Conclusion: Preoperative counseling about the potential intraoperative visual experience during phacoemulsifiaction under topical anesthesia alleviates the visual experience fear in patients having cataract surgery.Journal of Kathmandu Medical College, Vol. 4, No. 2, Issue 12, Apr.-Jun., 2015,Page: 45-49
Sympathetic ophthalmitis: A rare case presentation
Authors: Panjiyar Paras , Parihar Natwar Singh
Published: May 2016

Sympathetic Ophthalmitis is a rare, granulomatous uveitis occurring after perforating eye injury or ocular surgical procedure to one eye. The pathophysiologyis not clearly understood. We report a rare case of sympathetic ophthalmitis that presented to us in our hospital.Journal of Kathmandu Medical College, Vol. 4, No. 2, Issue 12, Apr.-Jun., 2015 page: 65-67
Effect of cutting parameters on workpiece and tool properties during drilling of Ti-6Al-4V
Authors: Çelik Yahya Hışman , Yildiz Hakan , Özek Cebeli
Published: May 2016

The main aim of machining is to provide the dimensional preciseness together with surface and geometric quality of the workpiece to be manufactured within the desired limits. Today, it is quite hard to drill widely utilized Ti-6Al-4 V alloys owing to their superior features. Therefore, in this study, the effects of temperature, chip formation, thrust forces, surface roughness, burr heights, hole diameter deviations and tool wears on the drilling of Ti-6Al-4 V were investigated under dry cutting conditions with different cutting speeds and feed rates by using tungsten carbide (WC) and high speed steel (HSS) drills. Moreover, the mathematical modeling of thrust force, surface roughness, burr height and tool wear were formed using Matlab. It was found that the feed rate, cutting speed and type of drill have a major effect on the thrust forces, surface roughness, burr heights, hole diameter deviations and tool wears. Optimum results in the Ti-6Al-4 V alloy drilling process were obtained using the WC drill.
Luminous transmittance of carbonate based natural stones
Authors: Ersoy Metin , Yıldız Ahmet , Turgut Volkan
Published: May 2016

Some natural stones, such as marble, onyx and limestone are translucent and commonly used in night lamps, lampshades, and backlit decorations in hotel lobbies and other facilities. However, there is no study in literature with respect to the luminous transmittance or transparency of natural stones. In this study, the luminous transmittance of 12 different carbonate based natural stones was assessed. An apparatus consisting of a light source, a light conducting tube and a luxmeter was designed to determine luminous transmittance. Also, the samples have been examined with regard to grain size to define their mineralogical and petrographical characteristics. As a result of the studies, it has been found that marble and onyx marble can transmit light to a greater extent compared to limestone. And it has been seen that the efficient factors in those samples are color, crystal type, grain sizes and cement substance of the rock.
A Shape Memory Alloy Application for Compact Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Authors: Ameduri Salvatore , Concilio Antonio , Favaloro Nunzia , Pellone Lorenzo
Published: May 2016

Shape memory alloys materials, SMA, offer several advantages that designers can rely on such as the possibility of transmitting large forces and deformations, compactness, and the intrinsic capability to absorb loads. Their use as monolithic actuators, moreover, can lead to potential simplifications of the system, through a reduction of number of parts and the removal of many free play gaps among mechanics. For these reasons, technological aerospace research is focusing on this kind of technology more and more, even though fatigue life, performance degradation, and other issues are still open. In the work at hand, landing gear for unmanned aerial vehicles, UAV, is presented, integrated with shape memory alloys springs as actuation devices. A conceptual prototype has been realized to verify the system ability in satisfying specs, in terms of deployment and retraction capability. Starting from the proposed device working principle and the main design parameters identification, the design phase is faced, setting those parameters to meet weight, deployment angle, energy consumption, and available room requirements. Then, system modeling and performance prediction is performed and finally a correlation between numerical and experimental results is presented.