bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Technological and Supplementary Education in Terms of Standardization
Authors: ������  , Bychkov Anatoliy
Published: January 2016

The work discloses the possibility of usage of an additional education as a resource to ensure primary school pupils mastering with FGOS requirements

for the course �Technology�.

Personal and metasubject learning outcomes taken as the system forming start of the process of technological education. Personal achievements of the

students acquire qualitative new content according to modern state of the technosphere and society.

The problem of making a connection and content succession between educative & research and project activities of scholars as an important part of

FGOS (2nd generation) for school and contents of creative labour of students in the additional education system is revealed in the work.

Substantiated that the work of teachers is directed to ensure the compatibility and interoperability of general (the course �Technology�) and additional

education.
The Quality of Expertise
Authors: Van Wesep Edward D.
Published: January 2016

Policy makers and managers often turn to experts when in need of information, but we should expect experts to be systematically biased. This is because the decision to research a question implies a belief that research will be fruitful. If priors about the impact of one’s work are correct on average, then those who choose to research a question are optimistic about the quality of their work. The bias varies predictably with attributes of the question being studied. This fact has implications for a variety of mechanism design applications and yields predictions in accordance with a large literature in psychology.

This paper was accepted by Teck-Hua Ho, behavioral economics.
When 3 + 1 > 4: Gift Structure and Reciprocity in the Field
Authors: Gilchrist Duncan S. , Luca Michael , Malhotra Deepak
Published: January 2016

Do higher wages elicit reciprocity and lead to increased productivity? In a field experiment with 266 employees, we find that paying higher wages, per se, does not have a discernible effect on productivity in a context with no future employment opportunities. However, structuring a portion of the wage as a clear and unexpected gift—by offering an unconditional raise after the employee has accepted the contract—leads to higher productivity for the duration of the job. Gifts are roughly as efficient as hiring more workers.

This paper was accepted by Uri Gneezy, behavioral economics.
Optimal Time Allocation for Process Improvement for Growth-Focused Entrepreneurs
Authors: Yoo Onesun Steve , Corbett Charles J. , Roels Guillaume
Published: January 2016

For many entrepreneurs, time is a key constraint. They need to invest time to achieve growth, but also lose time because of recurring crises. We develop a simple stochastic dynamic program to model how an entrepreneur should prioritize between improving processes to reduce crises versus harvesting revenue or ensuring future growth. We show that it is initially optimal to prioritize process improvement: an entrepreneur should strive for high process quality early in the venture’s growth process. We numerically analyze a simple heuristic derived from this optimal policy and identify the conditions under which it is (or is not) effective. It performs near optimally except when process quality or revenue rate may deteriorate too fast or when the cost of process improvement or revenue enhancement is too high. Our work provides a theoretical foundation for the advice found in the popular entrepreneurship and time management literature to invest time now to save time later.
Do High and Low Inventory Turnover Retailers Respond Differently to Demand Shocks?
Authors: Kesavan Saravanan , Kushwaha Tarun , Gaur Vishal
Published: January 2016

This paper examines the differences in the behaviors of high (HIT) and low inventory turnover (LIT) retailers in responding to demand shocks. We identify quantity and price responsiveness as two mediating mechanisms that distinguish how high and low inventory turnover retailers manage demand shocks. Using quarterly firm-level data of 183 U.S. retailers between 1985 and 2012, we find that HIT retailers are able to respond quickly by changing their purchase quantities in response to demand shocks, whereas LIT retailers primarily rely on price changes to manage demand shocks. In addition, we examine the differential implications of these mechanisms on the financial performance of HIT and LIT retailers. We find price responsiveness to be a less effective strategy, compared to quantity responsiveness, in reducing excesses and shortages of inventory. Finally, the negative financial impact of a given amount of excess and shortage of inventory is eight times more severe for LIT retailers compared to HIT retailers.
Older mothers' experiences of postnatal depression
Authors: Hannan Julie
Published: January 2016

This study uses interpretative phenomenology analysis (IPA) to explore the lived experience of postnatal depression (PND). The four participants, all aged 30 years or above at the birth of their first child, had never suffered from depression previously and were interviewed on two separate occasions about their PND experiences. Six themes emerged from the interviews: striving to be a perfect mother; feeling a failure; being sucked dry; shame of the other's gaze; feeling stuck and overwhelmed; and becoming lost. Participants sacrificed themselves in the hopeless pursuit of their own expectations of being the perfect mother and fulfilling all their child's needs. Not wanting to appear inadequate to others, and desperate to make sense of what was happening to them, they suffered in silence in a context of depleting resources, loss of their former life, wellbeing and sense of self. The findings suggest that particular themes of PND exist in older mothers' experiences, suggesting a tailored treatment approach for these women. In a situation where PND is the most common complication of childbearing in the UK, affecting between 10–15% of new mothers ( Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2014 ) and where the birth rate for women aged 30+ is growing faster than for any other age group in the UK, research that furthers understanding of the experience of PND for mothers in this age group can help guide interventions and support.
Talking about smoking cessation with pregnant women: Exploring midwives' accounts
Authors: Reardon Rhona , Grogan Sarah
Published: January 2016

The aim of the current study was to use interviews to explore midwives' experiences of talking to pregnant women about smoking cessation. Eight midwives based in one UK hospital took part in face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis revealed that midwives were aware of health risks associated with smoking, saw providing smoking cessation advice as part of their role, would value more support from GPs, and were clear that support and a woman-centred approach were key. Failure to refer women for support was related to cumbersome or misunderstood referral procedures rather than reluctance to refer.
Evaluating postgraduate midwifery students' experiences of a model of blended learning
Authors: Geraghty Sadie , Godwin Helen
Published: January 2016

This paper describes an evaluation of postgraduate midwifery students' experiences of a model of blended learning, following completion of a newly accredited Master of Midwifery Practice (MMP) course in a Western Australian university. Successful completion of the course leads to registration as a midwife with a Master's degree. This is the first midwifery degree at Master's level offered in Western Australia, which offers another route into the midwifery profession alongside existing options for postgraduate and undergraduate students. Midwifery students enrolled on the 2-year MMP course are registered nurses, who are offered flexible learning options involving on-campus and online learning, as opposed to traditional on-campus lectures and tutorials. The evaluation consisted of a 10-part questionnaire given to 25 midwifery students, of which 17 were completed and returned. Responses were analysed by the authors and a consensus on the final interpretation was reached. Four main themes were identified from the evaluation: variety of teaching methods, feeling overwhelmed, contextualising midwifery, and support.
A nutritional challenge
Authors: Mitchell Briony
Published: January 2016

Briony Mitchell MSc (Hons) Senior Nutritionist at Baileys Horse Feeds, discusses feeding the mare throughout lactation and the requirements of the suckling foal
A perpetual problem
Authors: Chapman Stella
Published: January 2016

Stella Chapman, Teaching Fellow in Equine Studies School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, examines the issues of incorrect dosing and the regulation of anthelmintics
New opportunities in breeding techniques
Authors: Lewis Niamh
Published: January 2016

Niamh Lewis BVM&S Dip ACT Dip ECAR MRCVS, explains the technology behind ICSI – the most complex of equine in vitro fertilisation procedures
First aid essentials
Authors: Berryman Nicola
Published: January 2016

In the first of a new series Redwings Welfare Veterinary Surgeon Nicola Berryman highlights much horse owners can contribute in an emergency by being well equipped
The numerical radius of a weighted shift operator
Authors: Undrakh Batzorig , Nakazato Hiroshi , Vandanjav Adiyasuren , Chien Mao-Ting
Published: January 2016

In this paper, the point spectrum of the real Hermitian part of a weighted shift operator with weight sequence a_1, a_2, . . . , a_n, 1, 1, . . . is investigated and the numerical radius of the weighted shift operator in terms of the weighted shift matrix with weights a_1, a_2, . . . , a_n is formulated explicitly.
Cuatro argumentos sobre la falacia cognoscitivista
Authors: Elorza Saravia Juan Daniel
Published: January 2016

En este trabajo se recurre a cuatro argumentos con el fin de sostener que la posición metaética de la teoría estándar de la argumentación jurídica —el objetivismo moral— se sustenta en la comisión de una falacia que aquí se denominará «falacia cognoscitivista». Ésta consiste en la obtención infundada de conclusiones de deber-ser a partir de premisas del valer (valores o juicios de valor), y correlativamente, en la postulación de valores morales a partir de deberes jurídicos, esto es, la determinación de los juicios de valor desde las normas positivas. El embalaje teórico de dicha falacia es la tesis de la unidad de la razón práctica, como una fusión de diferentes dimensiones y momentos de nuestra «vida moral» en un solo continuum: el razonamiento jurídico. En el ámbito de las teorías del derecho constitucional-discursivas —de las cuales la de R. Alexy sería el mejor ejemplo—, esta fusión significa la equiparación entre los principios jurídico-constitucionales (normas jurídicas) aplicables a los casos concretos y los valores morales (preferencias axiológicas) relevantes a los mismos. Esta equiparación hace que la teoría de la argumentación —inicialmente concebida como una herramienta de validación moral de las decisiones jurídicas— devenga una herramienta acrítica de legitimación política del poder en los Estados Constitucionales.
Lo mayoritario y lo democrático
Authors: Arteta Aurelio
Published: January 2016

Hay que recuperar una concepción de democracia militante y tenerla dispuesta para llevarla a la práctica y afrontar los problemas políticos. Para ello es preciso que la democracia sea entendida más como una sustancia (un ideal de igual libertad) que como un mero procedimiento decisorio (regla de la mayoría). Si bien se mira, este método mayoritario deriva de aquella sustancia y sólo se justifica en la medida en que se atenga a ella. Por eso la democracia importa sobre todo como un criterio con que medir el grado de justicia de las decisiones y, sólo después, en razón del modo mayoritario con que se han adoptado. La igualdad política de los ciudadanos se ha de plasmar en sus métodos democráticos, claro está, pero antes todavía en esa misma igualdad alcanzada en sus resultados. De ahí que rechacemos esa habitual confusión entre democracia y mayoritarismo, uno de cuyos máximos representantes sería J. Waldron.
Principios jurídicos implícitos y coherencia
Authors: Alonso Juan Pablo
Published: January 2016

El presente trabajo presenta una concepción de los principios jurídicos implícitos compatible con la tesis juspositivista de las fuentes sociales del derecho, a través de tres funciones de la coherencia jurídica: una descriptiva y dos normativas. En la función descriptiva, los principios «describen» (o «explican») las relaciones de coherencia del sistema de normas. En la primera función normativa, los principios se utilizan para resolver algún caso difícil (i. e. lagunas normativas). En la segunda función normativa, los principios se utilizan para detectar incoherencias y, eventualmente, «derrotarlas». Los principios implícitos son inducidos/abducidos a partir de las normas positivas. Se parte de la concepción de las normas y de los sistemas normativos de Alchourrón y Bulygin, y de la distinción de MacCormick entre consistencia y coherencia.
Una alternativa para el escepticismo interpretativo: convenciones y cuasirrealismo en la interpretación jurídica
Authors: Arena Federico José
Published: January 2016

En este trabajo el autor analiza algunas dificultades que, desde su punto de vista, acechan al escepticismo interpretativo. Según el autor, esta posición se enfrenta a dos dilemas, uno interno y otro externo. Ambos dilemas se producen cuando las tesis escépticas son comparadas con ciertas afirmaciones que los jueces hacen respecto de los enunciados interpretativos y las normas jurídicas. El autor propone una estrategia convencionalista, que recurriendo a la noción de convenciones interpretativas, permite escapar del dilema interno; mientras que el dilema externo puede ser desarticulado mediante una estrategia cuasirrealista, de acuerdo a la cual, la posibilidad de predicar la verdad de ciertos enunciados no depende de la existencia de las entidades a las que tales enunciados se refieren. Ambas estrategias exigen abandonar la tesis escéptica según la cual los enunciados interpretativos carecen de valor de verdad, pero el autor sostiene que se trata de una herida aparente y que el escepticismo sale finalmente ileso.
Contribución al estudio arqueológico de la Foia de Castalla (Alicante)
Authors: Cerdá Bordera Federico
Published: January 2016

La elaboración de la Carta Arqueológica de la Foia de Castalia, con el estudio de yacimientos, en su mayoría inéditos, y materiales arqueológicos, permite realizar una serie de consideraciones sobre el poblamiento antiguo de esta comarca alicantina. A partir del Paleolítico Superior, los asentamientos humanos son numerosos, en especial los de la Edad del Bronce, ibéricos y romanos. Sorprende, sin embargo, la ausencia de yacimientos del Bronce Final, bien representado en las comarcas vecinas.
El comentario de texto en la didáctica de la Historia Antigua
Authors: Rabanal Alonso Manuel Abilio
Published: January 2016

Es necesario para los estudiosos de la Historia entrar en contacto directo con las fuentes escritas. De ahí la importancia del conocimiento de la metodología y aplicación práctica del comentario de textos como elemento fundamental en la didáctica de la Historia, en el caso presente de la Historia Antigua.
El vidrio romano en la provincia de Alicante
Authors: Sánchez de Prado María Dolores
Published: January 2016

Este trabajo pretende fundamentalmente dar a conocer un material muy postergado por la investigación arqueológica: el vidrio, que se ha encontrado con relativa frecuencia en las ciudades y necrópolis de la provincia de Alicante. En el vidrio recogido se pueden distinguir dos grupos: — En las dos primeras centurias de nuestra Era se trata de un vidrio lujoso, de muy buena calidad, liso o decorado con motivos sencillos cuyo carácter es marcadamente oriental. — A partir del siglo III d. C., la calidad de las piezas es menor, aunque las decoraciones más complicadas. Las fábricas occidentales se imponen progresivamente.
La Cueva de la Murcielaguina, en Priego de Córdoba, posible cueva-santuario ibérica
Authors: Vaquerizo Gil Desiderio
Published: January 2016

El presente trabajo plantea un análisis de los materiales de época ibérica recogidos en superficie en la llamada Cueva de la Murcielaguina, localizada en el término municipal de Priego de Córdoba. Dichos materiales, entre los cuales se encuentra una cabecita tallada en piedra caliza, llevan al autor a plantear la existencia en Andalucía de cuevas santuarios similares a las constatadas en el mundo levantino. En este caso, la cueva, en la que debieron celebrarse ciertos ritos relacionados con ceremonias de libación y tal vez conectados con una Gran Diosa Madre —con cuyo culto se identifica un ídolo oculado representado entre las pinturas rupestres que adornan una de las salas interiores— estaría en relación con poblados cercanos tan importantes como El Camino del Tarajal (Priego de Córdoba), Cerro de Las Cabezas (Fuente Tójar) o Cerro de la Cruz (Almedinilla), este último actualmente en excavación por parte del autor.
Promoción jurídica y organización municipal de Complutum en el Alto Imperio
Authors: González-Conde Puente María Pilar
Published: January 2016

Sobre el emplazamiento del Cerro de San Juan del Viso se han encontrado huellas arqueológicas que permiten situar allí el antiguo emplazamiento de la ciudad de Complutum que, probablemente en época flavia, y al amparo del paso de personas y mercancías por el valle, se trasladó a su definitivo emplazamiento en el llano, junto al río Henares. Son abundantes los testimonios arqueológicos en la ciudad y sus alrededores, aunque escasos los que permitan seguir la evolución jurídica y administrativa del municipio. Aún así, es posible rastrear sus instituciones municipales, las formas religiosas, la estructura social y la escasa huella indígena en la ciudad, principalmente a lo largo de los dos primeros siglos del Imperio.
Cultos romanos e indigenismo: elementos para el análisis del proceso de romanización religiosa en la Hispania céltica
Authors: Olivares Pedreño Juan Carlos
Published: January 2016

En el presente artículo intentamos establecer el carácter de la romanización religiosa en las áreas rurales del área céltica de Hispania a través del estudio de las inscripciones votivas. El panorama que aparece es el de una religión indígena que permanece con gran solidez, mientras que la penetración de los cultos romanos se basa, principalmente, en la importante presencia de Júpiter. El resto de divinidades romanas, dejando a un lado algunos fenómenos puntuales, no tuvieron una gran difusión. Por tanto, es posible afirmar que existió, por parte de las sociedades indígenas, una asimilación selectiva de cultos romanos que variaba de una a otra región.
Nuevas reflexiones en torno a las fuentes literarias sobre los vascones en la antigüedad
Authors: Andreu Pintado Javier , Jordán Lorenzo Ángel A.
Published: January 2016

Desde que A. Schulten publicase el repertorio comentado de las evidencias con que las fuentes literarias nos obsequian para el conocimiento de los antiguos Vascones, periódicamente el citado elenco de fuentes ha sido abordado por la investigación. Historiadores como P. Bosch-Gimpera, J. Mª Blázquez, A. E. Mañaricúa, Mª J. Peréx y, más tarde, A. Pérez de Laborda han vuelto una y otra vez sobre los mismos textos con la esperanza de exprimir unas, objetivamente, más que parcas fuentes, a la luz de los últimos datos conocidos. El avance de la investigación histórica, arqueológica y epigráfica experimentado en torno a la cuestión en los últimos diez años nos lleva a volver sobre ellas de nuevo y a comentarlas atendiendo, además, a nuevas teorías planteadas recientemente. Se ofrece, pues, a partir del análisis de dichos textos, un amplio espectro de hipótesis de trabajo de cara a ulteriores estudios y a la resolución de los interrogantes que la investigación se viene planteando respecto del asunto de los Vascones antiguos.
La producción latericia en Segobriga: nuevos hallazgos (2002-2009)
Authors: Cebrián Fernández Rosario
Published: January 2016

Se presenta en este trabajo la continuación del catálogo de marcas sobre tegulas romanas descubiertas en la ciudad romana de Segobriga. Los numerosos hallazgos de la marca TVR ANI prueban que se trata del principal centro productor de la ciudad y que la responsabilidad de la producción de este material de construcción estuvo en manos de la población indígena.
Una propuesta de caracterización de las llamadas regiae ibéricas: comercio, religión y control territorial a partir de un modelo arquitectónico
Authors: Prados Martínez Fernando
Published: January 2016

A lo largo de estas páginas retomamos el estudio de un tipo de edificio muy característico en el marco cultural y arquitectónico ibérico que ha sido definido tradicionalmente como regia, es decir, residencia palacial de un rex sacrorum, una autoridad monárquica con fuertes connotaciones religiosas, muy representativo del ámbito urbano próximo-oriental. Tomando los ejemplos conocidos hasta el momento y otros espacios arquitectónicos similares que aún no han sido relacionados, vamos a tratar de realizar un estado de la cuestión sobre lo que pudieron ser sus funciones y sus características, apoyándonos en el análisis arqueoarquitectónico y en la comparación con algunos ejemplos de la órbita fenicia y púnica del Mediterráneo central y occidental.
Grauzonen staatlicher Gewalt
Authors: Jenss Alke
Published: January 2016

Paramilitärs, Kriminalität, Verschwundene - der »Krieg gegen die Drogen« hat in wirtschaftlichen Boomzonen Kolumbiens und Mexikos Gewaltverhältnisse auf Dauer gestellt: Illegale und legale Ökonomie sind kaum mehr zu trennen. Alke Jenss bietet einen differenzierten Blick auf die Rolle des Staates: Bekämpft er die, die er zu bekämpfen vorgibt? Stellt der Staat tatsächlich Ordnung her oder produziert er vielmehr selbst Unsicherheit für Teile der Gesellschaft? Die Studie analysiert erstmals staatstheoretisch und vergleichend Gewaltdynamiken in beiden Ländern. Sie hinterfragt kritisch, welche gesellschaftlichen Kräfte die Stärkung des Militärs in ihrem eigenen Sinne vorantreiben und wer von Gewaltpraktiken betroffen ist.
Nacht-Orte
Authors: Schwegmann Raphael
Published: January 2016

Nächtliche Vergnügungstopographien avancieren seit einigen Jahren zu einem Indikator für Lebensqualität - und damit zu einem ernst zu nehmenden Standortfaktor für Städte und Regionen im interurbanen Wettbewerb um Hochqualifizierte, für die ein pulsierendes Nachtleben von Interesse ist. Zugleich wächst die Kritik an der zunehmenden Kommodifizierung urbaner Räume und Zeiten, die multiple soziale wie ökonomische Verdrängungs- und Gentrifizierungsprozesse mit sich bringt. Darüber hinaus werden nächtliche Ökonomien mit Kriminalität, übermäßigem Alkohol- und Drogenkonsum, Prostitution, Lärm- und Abfallbelastungen sowie »Lichtverschmutzung« in Zusammenhang gebracht. Raphael Schwegmann stellt eine Typologie vor, die das oszillierende Zusammenspiel von Identität, Ort und Ökonomie am Beispiel Nacht neu denkt.
Terrorismus und moderne Kriegsführung
Authors: Heinke Eva-Maria
Published: January 2016

Der Begriff »Terrorismus« ist definitorisch uneindeutig - und das macht jeden Akteur zu einem bestimmten Grad zum Terroristen. Dieses Paradox zieht Eva-Maria Heinke als Ausgangspunkt für eine tiefgreifende Analyse der Strategien moderner Kriegsführung heran und löst es durch die gegenwärtig einmalige Verwendung von sogenannten Fuzzy-Inferenzsystemen zum Zwecke der Typisierung politischer Gewalt auf. Die intensive Verbindung von soziologischer Gewaltforschung mit der Mathematik unscharfer Mengen macht den Grad der Verwendung politischer Gewaltstrategien erstmalig berechenbar - und ermöglicht somit einen völlig neuartigen Blick auf den strategischen Kontext des Handelns politischer Gewaltakteure.
Successful language learning in a corporate setting: The role of attribution theory and its relation to intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
Authors: Kálmán Csaba , Gutierrez Eugenio Esther
Published: January 2016

Attribution theory (Weiner, 1985) and self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985) have been explored as contributors to L2 motivation (cf. Dörnyei, 2001) but have never been studied quantitatively in concert. In addition, students’ attributions for success in learning a foreign language have never been measured through the use of a questionnaire. The aim of this paper is therefore (a) to develop a questionnaire with reliable constructs that allows to measure adult learners’ attributions for their success in learning English in a corporate setting, (b) to investigate these learners’ attributions, and (c) to investigate the relationship between students’ attributions and the constructs of Intrinsic and Extrinsic motivation central to self-determination theory. Our main results show that among the attributions measured, interest, effort and corporate culture seemed to be the main causes that students recognised as directly involved in their success in learning English. Of all the attributional scales, interest and ability appeared to importantly contribute to intrinsic motivation, while corporate culture, encounters with foreign professionals and ability contributed to a lower extent to extrinsic motivation. It must be noted, however, that attributions for success to teacher and task were so consistently high that they could not be reliably measured with the questionnaire.
Multiplicity results for elliptic Kirchhoff-type problems
Authors: Baraket Sami , Molica Bisci Giovanni
Published: January 2016

The aim of this paper is to establish the existence of multiple solutions for a perturbed Kirchhoff-type problem depending on two real parameters. More precisely, we show that an appropriate oscillating behaviour of the nonlinear part, even under small perturbations, ensures the existence of at least three nontrivial weak solutions. Our approach combines variational methods with properties of nonlocal fractional operators.
On the doorstep to senility: physical changes, health status and well-being in midlife
Authors: Kaczmarek Maria
Published: January 2016

The movement of the baby boomers into the middle ages made the 45–65 age cohort the largest and the fastest growing segment of population in the first decade of the 21st century. This demographic expansion will have multiple consequences for ageing society. This paper aimed to provide an overview on biology of midlife transition. Physical characteristics, midlife-specific morbidity and mortality were described with focus to sexual dimorphism in physique and gender gap in mortality and morbidity. These characteristics made midlife a separate and unique stage of life. In-depth knowledge of this life stage may be useful in identifying and solving problems of ageing individuals and population.
Health literacy and health among the elderly: status and challenges in the context of the Polish population aging process
Authors: Słońska Zofia A. , Borowiec Agnieszka A. , Aranowska Anita E.
Published: January 2016

Introduction: Poland is a country which is characterized by the process of population aging resulting in a dynamic growth of the old-age dependency ratio. Thus, along with the aging process, we can expect, both at the individual and at the societal level, the intensification of the problems related to coping with worsening health and social dependency of the growing number of the elderly. One of the most necessary action contributing to the prevention of the above-mentioned threats is the development of health literacy. Study aim: The aim of the study is to describe and analyze, in the context of the process of aging, the status, the structure and the role of health literacy among the elderly in Poland. Material and methods: The analyzed data come from the Polish part of the European Health Literacy population-based, cross-sectional survey (HLS-EU). Field work was carried out by the TNS OBOP Research Institute in July 2011. Data were collected in Polish by a standardized questionnaire, using a Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI). Results and conclusions: Almost every second person in the Polish adult population aged 15+ (44,6%) had low health literacy(inadequate + problematic). First of all the oldest people aged 65+ were at risk of low health literacy. 61,3% of Poles aged 65+ had low levels of general health literacy and only 12% of excellent, in contrast to people aged 50 years and below where these percentages were 39.9% and 21.5% respectively. In the context of this unsatisfactory level of health literacy, particularly in the elderly and the intensifying process of aging in the Polish population, health literacy development should occupy a very high position on the political agenda.
Quantification of β region IgA paraproteins – should we include immunochemical “heavy/light chain” measurements? Counterpoint
Authors: Paolini Lucia
Published: January 2016

Serum protein electrophoresis (SPE), serum immunofixation (s-IFE), free light chain measurement (FLC) and nephelometric measurements of total immunoglobulin in serum (IgTot) are some of the laboratory tests required for the management of plasma cell proliferative disorders. The monoclonal protein is usually visible on SPE as a spike (M-spike) in the γ region and the derived densitogram is used to quantify it relative to serum total protein concentration. IgA M-protein, however, often migrates in the β region on SPE and its quantification can be masked by other serum proteins that migrate in this region. The immunoassay Hevylite™ (heavy/light chain, HLC) seems to solve this problem: it quantifies the involved/uninvolved isotype, calculating the ratio IgAκ/IgAλ, considered indicative of clonal proliferation. However, this test seems redundant in the case of artifacts on SPE such as obvious hemolysis or lipemia, or if the IgA M-spike is clearly visible in the β region. In conclusion whereas the IgA HLC assay does not represent an alternative to SPE and s-IFE in the diagnostic patient workup, it may prove to be an alternative to SPE, s-IFE and total IgA quantification in risk stratification and evaluation of response to therapy in patients affected by MM and other monoclonal plasma proliferative disorders.
Interference of daratumumab in monitoring multiple myeloma patients using serum immunofixation electrophoresis can be abrogated using the daratumumab IFE reflex assay (DIRA)
Authors: van de Donk Niels W.C.J. , Otten Henny G. , El Haddad Omar , Axel Amy , Sasser A. Kate , Croockewit Sandra , Jacobs Joannes F.M.
Published: January 2016

Daratumumab is a fully human anti-CD38 IgG1-κ monoclonal antibody (mAb) currently being evaluated in several Phase 2 and 3 clinical studies for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). In this clinical case study we demonstrate that daratumumab can be detected as an individual monoclonal band in serum immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE). M-protein follow-up by IFE is part of the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) criteria to assess treatment response. Therefore, it is crucial that the daratumumab band is not confused with the endogenous M-protein of the patient during IFE interpretation. Moreover, a significant number of IgG-κ M-proteins co-migrate with daratumumab. Co-migration introduces a bias in the M-protein quantification since pharmacokinetic studies show that daratumumab peak plasma concentrations reach up to 1 g/L. More importantly, co-migration can mask clearance of the M-protein by IFE which is necessary for classification of complete response by IMWG criteria (negative serum IFE). For optimal M-protein monitoring the laboratory specialist needs to be informed when patients receive daratumumab, and it is essential that the laboratory specialist is aware that a slow migrating band in the γ-region in those patients may be derived from the daratumumab. A daratumumab specific IFE reflex assay (DIRA) has been developed and can be utilized to abrogate interference. The here described mAb interference is not limited to daratumumab, and as therapeutic antibodies gain approval and enter into common clinical practice, laboratory specialists will need additional processes to characterize IFE interference and distinguish endogenous M-protein from therapeutic antibodies.
A Fitted Finite-Volume Method Combined with the Lagrangian Derivative for the Weather Option Pricing Model
Authors: Chang Shuhua , Tang Wenguang
Published: January 2016

The purpose of weather option is to allow companies to insure themselves against fluctuations in the weather.
However, the valuation of weather option is complex, since the underlying process has no negotiable price. Under the assumption of mean-self-financing, by hedging with a correlated asset which follows a geometric Brownian motion with a jump diffusion process,
this paper presents a new weather option pricing model on a stochastic underlying temperature following a mean-reverting Brownian motion. Consequently, a two-dimensional partial differential equation is
derived to value the weather option. The numerical method applied in this paper is based on a fitted finite-volume technique combined with the Lagrangian derivative. In addition, the monotonicity, stability, and the convergence of the discrete scheme are also derived. Lastly, some numerical examples are provided to value a series of European HDD-based weather put options, and the effects of some parameters on weather option prices are discussed.
Preparation and characterization of nanoparticles composed of methylated N-(4-N,N-dimethyl aminobenzyl) chitosan for oral delivery of cyclosporine A
Authors: Mahjub Reza , Allahyar Robabeh , Rafiee-Tehrani Morteza , Dorkoosh Farid Abedin
Published: January 2016

Cyclosporine is considered a highly lypophilic compound meaning low bioavailability through oral administration. In this study, cyclosporine was entrapped in a novel aromatic, quaternized derivative of chitosan (i.e. methylated N-(4-N,N-dimethyl aminobenzyl) chitosan) in order to improve solubility and bioavailability. Methylated N-(4,N,N-dimethyl aminobenzyl) chitosan was synthesized by the Schiff base reaction method. Polymeric nanoparticles containing cyclosporine was prepared and the physico-chemical properties of prepared nanoparticles were determined. The nanoparticles were studied morphologically using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Finally, the release of cyclosporine from nanoparticles was studied in vitro using simulated intestinal fluid adjusted to pH of 6.8. For the preparation of nanoparticles, different formulations were studied and it was found that proper nanoparticles were prepared in equal concentration (1 mg/mL) of polymer and sodium tri-poly phosphate (TPP). The size, zeta potential, PdI, EE% and LE% of the prepared nanoparticles were reported as 173±36 nm, 23.1±4.18 mV, 0.243±0.05, 97.1±4.38% and 3.2±0.21%, respectively. The TEM images of nanoparticles revealed spherical to sub-spherical nanoparticles with no sign of agglomeration. This study suggests that preparations of nanoparticles composed of methylated N-(4,N,N-dimethyl aminobenzyl) chitosan can be a good candidate for improving the oral bioavailability of cyclosporine.
Determining species expansion and extinction possibilities using probabilistic and graphical models
Authors: Chaturvedi Rajesh , Prasad P. Rama Chandra
Published: January 2016

Survival of plant species is governed by a number of functions. The participation of each function in species survival and the impact of the contrary behaviour of the species vary from function to function. The probability of extinction of species varies in all such scenarios and has to be calculated separately. Secondly, species follow different patterns of dispersal and localisation at different stages of occupancy state of the site, therefore, the scenarios of competition for resources with climatic shifts leading to deterioration and loss of biodiversity resulting in extinction needs to be studied. Furthermore, most possible deviations of species from climax community states needs to be calculated before species become extinct due to sudden environmental disruption. Globally, various types of anthropogenic disturbances threaten the diversity of biological systems. The impact of these anthropogenic activities needs to be analysed to identify extinction patterns with respect to these activities. All the analyses mentioned above have been tried to be achieved through probabilistic or graphical models in this study.
Identification and typology of Czech post-industrial landscapes on national level using GIS and publicly accessed geodatabases
Authors: Kolejka Jaromír , Klimánek Martin
Published: January 2016

The post-industrial landscape (PIL) is a generally accepted phenomenon of the present world. Its features are fossil in comparison to those ones in operating industrial landscapes. The required knowledge about the position, size, shape and type of PIL will help decision makers plan PIL future. The paper deals with the selection of identification features of PILs. Applicable data must be related to four landscape structures: natural, economic (land use), social (human) and spiritual. Present Czech geodatabases contain sufficient quantity and quality of data they can be interpreted as source of PIL identification criteria. GIS technology was applied for such data collection, geometric and format pre-processing, thematic reclassification and final processing. Using selected identification and classification criteria, 105 PILs were identified on the Territory of Czech Republic and classified into individual types. A SWOT analysis of results was carried out to identify the reliability level of data and the data processing. The identified PILs represent the primary results generally obtained in the Czech Republic. GIS approach allows repeated procedures elsewhere in EU member states because of some similarity of available geodatabases. Of course, an improvement of classification procedure depends on the real situation in each country.
Linking floral biodiversity with nitrogen and carbon translocations in semi-natural grasslands in Lithuani
Authors: Marcinkonis Saulius , Karpavičienė Birutė , Fullen Michael A.
Published: January 2016

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the long-term effects of long-term piggery effluent application on semi-natural grassland ecotop-phytotop changes (above- and below-ground phytomass production, and carbon and nitrogen allocation in grassland communities) in relation to changes (or variability) in topsoil properties. Analysis of phytomass distribution in piggery effluent irrigated grassland communities showed that dry biomass yield varied from 1.7−5.3 t ha-1. Variability in soil and plant cover created a unique and highly unpredictable site specific system, where long-term anthropogenic influences established successor communities with specific characteristics of above- and below-ground biomass distribution. These characteristics depend more on grassland communities than on soil chemical properties. Families of grasses (Poaceae) dominated the surveyed communities and accumulated most carbon and least nitrogen, while legumes accumulated most nitrogen and lignin and least carbon. Carbon concentrations in above-ground biomass had minor variations, while accumulation of nitrogen was strongly influenced by species diversity (r = 0.94, n = 10, p <0.001) and production of above-ground biomass
Land units composition of home ranges and changing of winter roosts of long-eared owl Asio otus
Authors: Tulis Filip , Jakab Imrich , Slobodník Roman , Hudec Michal
Published: January 2016

During the years 2010-2012, we observed the spatial activity of long-eared owls by the radio telemetry in an agricultural land. The average home range size of tracked long-eared owls for 100 and 95% minimum convex polygon (MCP) was 415.93 and 350 ha, respectively. Between the breeding and the non-breeding season, we did not record significant differences in the size of home ranges. Open land units (meadows and arable lands) belonged to the most abundant land units in the home ranges of tracked owls (mean for 100 and 95% MCP was 24.6 and 24.3%, respectively). Forest edges with their ecotone character also represented the abundant land unit (mean for 100 and 95% MCP was 11.4 and 10.6%, respectively). An amount of built-inhabited areas in home ranges (mean for 100 and 95% MCP was 8.2 and 10.1%, respectively) correlated positively with their size (Spearman rank correlation: for 100% MCP: rs = 0.83, p <0.05; for 95% MCP: rs = 0.91, p <0.05) that indicates long-eared owls to be avoiding built-inhabited areas as an area of the food getting. Two individuals of long-eared owl changed the winter roosts during one non-breeding season, which were at a distance of 650 m from each other.
Woody Plants Affected by Ungulates in Winter Period, Impacts and Bark Renewal
Authors: Nevřelová Marta , Ružičková Jana
Published: January 2016

Due to biotope fragmentation and changes in landscape structure, opportunities for forest animals to migrate and obtain food are diminishing, especially during extreme winter conditions. The main objective of this research was an assessment of ungulates, impact on woody species, evaluation of damage forms and bark renewal phases of affected woody plants. The study area is located in western Slovakia in the southeast part of Male Karpaty Mts. After the very cold and long winter of 2012/2013, 34% of woody plants were damaged by bark stripping and biting on the forest locality and 53% of evaluated trees and shrubs were damaged by biting off shoots in the non-forest locality. Together, 262 woody plants belonging to 15 species were evaluated; the girth of tree trunks and stripped bark patches were measured. The most severely affected tree species, suffering from bark stripping and bitten-off sprouts, was Fraxinus excelsior; Acer campestre was also significantly affected. Results showed that woody plants provide a significant part of hoofed mammal nutrition (especially Capreolus capreolus and Cervus elaphus). The stripped bark dendromass per forested area of 625 m2 reached 3 m2. After the mild winter in 2014, the majority (93.7%) of previously affected Fraxinus excelsior trees in the forest locality had only old damages with renewed bark in different phases of regeneration. In the non-forest locality, 96% of young Fraxinus excelsior, damaged in the winter of 2013, shot up new sprouts. The mortality of affected trees was minimal (4−5%).
Classification of Land Use Changes (Model Area: Nitra Town)
Authors: Haladová Ivana , Petrovič František
Published: January 2016

This paper deals with the new classification of land use changes. We chose Nitra town in Slovakia as a model area. We examined changes of land use for the period 2003-2013. The main result of this work is a table for types of land use changes and a map that shows the location of these changes in Nitra town. Nitra is constantly expanding its area and it is also significantly changing within its borders. Agriculturally used surroundings of the town are being transformed into build-up areas and industrial parks. This transformation causes a loss of agricultural land and vegetation, in general. Agriculture in this region has been gradually declining and disappearing in the past years. On the other side, urbanisation, technicisation and industrialisation are highly supported
The Ability of Tourist Natural Trails to Resist Tourism Load and Possibilities for Reducing the Environmental Impacts : Case Study of the Slovak Paradise National Park (Slovakia)
Authors: Janočková Jana , Koščová Mária , Jablonská Jana
Published: January 2016

The strictly protected natural area of Sucha Bela Gorge, located in the Slovak Paradise National Park, Slovakia, is exposed to environmental degradation by heavy tourist loads. Although educational and technical measures have been put in place, there is ongoing debate whether and how to limit the intensity of tourist visits. This study evaluates the ability of the trail leading through the gorge to resist trampling disturbance and to minimise the environmental impacts in the wider area of Sucha Bela by keeping tourists from moving off the designated areas. Aspects of trail layout, geological and geomorphological structures, terrain altering during the summer season, and acceptable tourist flow were investigated.The results show the current development would be acceptable in the case of limited off-trail movement. It therefore seems appropriate to review the trail allocation and marking, and to focus on environmental education rather than on limiting tourist visits.
Ordered Vector Valued Double Sequence Spaces
Authors: Dey Rinku , Das Nanda Ram , Tripathy Binod Chandra
Published: January 2016

In this paper we have introduced an order relation on convergent double sequences and have constructed an ordered vector space, Riesz space, order complete vector space in case of double sequences. We have verified the Archimedean property.
Suffix Stripping Problem as an Optimization Problem
Authors: Tamta Pawan , Pande B. P. , Dhami H. S.
Published: January 2016

Stemming or suffix stripping is the problem of removing suffixes from words to get the root word. Word endings can be removed by developing stripping rules dependent on the morphological knowledge of a specific language; obviously such approach cannot flourish in multilingual environment. Statistical approaches survive in multilingual environment but they require significant amount of computing. We define stemming as an
The T
b theorem for inhomogeneous Besov and Triebel–Lizorkin spaces and its application
Authors: Liao Fanghui , Liu Zongguang , Zhang Xiaojin
Published: January 2016

In this paper, the T
b theorem of the inhomogeneous Besov and Triebel–Lizorkin spaces associated with a para-accretive function on homogeneous type spaces is established. As an application, we obtain that the Riesz potential can be used as the lifting operator of these spaces.
Dehydration of Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) Slices Using Heat Pipe Combined with Impingement Technology
Authors: Li Wenfeng , Yuan Li , Xiao Xuling , Yang Xingbin
Published: January 2016

This study is designed to investigate drying kinetics, heating characteristics and energy consumption of heat pipe-impingement drying (HID) kiwifruit slices. Subsequently, color and rehydration characteristics of dried kiwifruit slices were also studied. The results showed that Modified Page model and trinomial regression equation provided appropriate fit for drying and heating curves of kiwifruit slices, respectively. In addition, the treatment for increasing drying temperatures and air velocities, and decreasing the distance between jet nozzles and material steel wire mesh box (DJM) was shown to enhance drying productivity. It was also found that low temperature, high air velocity and low DJM contributed to the processing of high-quality dried kiwifruit and the reduction of energy consumption. These results suggest that kiwifruit slices can be dried effectively with HID, and the predictive equations of heat and mass transfer could be applied to industrial design and operational guide for the HID of kiwifruit.
Application of Bat Algorithm to Optimize Scaling Factors of Fuzzy Logic-Based Power System Stabilizer for Multimachine Power System
Authors: Sambariya D. K. , Prasad R.
Published: January 2016

This article presents the design of optimized fuzzy logic-based power system stabilizer (FPSS) to enhance small signal stability using bat algorithm (BA). The proposed optimization of scaling factors of FPSS is considered with an objective function based on square error minimization to guarantee the stability of nonlinear models of test system using BA. The BA-optimized FPSS (BAFPSS) controller is applied to the standard IEEE ten-machine thirty-nine-bus test power system model in the decentralized manner, and the performance is compared with the robust fuzzy controller. The robustness is tested by considering four different models of the test power system with different fault locations to establish the superiority of the proposed BAFPSS over the FPSS.