bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Legacy of the Feminine in the Christology of Origen of Alexandria, Methodius of Olympus, and Gregory of Nyssa
Authors: Hughes Amy Brown
Published: September 2015

For Origen of Alexandria, Methodius of Olympus, and Gregory of Nyssa, who, through various networks of connections, fall into a kind of theological and philosophical family tree, virginity is a theological goldmine. These writers conceive of virginity as an all-embracing invitation to participation, a “performance” of Christology in which all Christians share. Origen’s notion of Scripture as the christological body that is literarily touchable introduces us to the encounter with Christ that is mediated through prayerful engagement with Scripture. Methodius of Olympus introduces us to the character Arete in his Symposium as an instantiation of the christological feminine. And, in Gregory of Nyssa’s handling of Macrina’s remains and her legacy, we find an avenue for participation in Christ alongside one who has already traveled a bit farther. These writers thought that renunciation was more than just a way of life open to all Christians; it was the way of life.
The Future of Criteria in Historical Jesus Research
Authors: Hägerland Tobias
Published: September 2015

Recent discussions of method in historical Jesus research have called into question the use of criteria for evaluating the authenticity of Gospel material. The present article lays out the reasons why a number of scholars call for an abandonment of the so-called criteria approach and then criticizes the allegation that this approach is genetically and logically dependent on form criticism. By analysis of how the question of authenticity is handled with regard to Jesus’ baptism, his action in the temple and his crucifixion, it is then argued that criteria are necessary for assessing the historicity of major events in the life of Jesus. Finally, three suggestions as to how the future use of authenticity criteria may take into account the recent challenges are made.
Family Migration Schemes and Liberal Neutrality
Authors: Ferracioli Luara
Published: September 2015

In this essay, I argue that the privileging of romantic and familial ties by those who believe in the liberal state’s right to exclude prospective immigrants cannot be justified. The reasons that count in favour of these relationships count equally in favour of a great array of relationships, from friends to creative collaborators, and whatever else falls in between. The liberal partialist now faces a dilemma, either the scope of the right to exclude is much more limited or much broader than she previously assumed.
Biology and evolution of the Epichloë-associated Botanophila species found in Europe (Diptera: Anthomyiidae)
Authors: Leuchtmann Adrian , Michelsen Verner
Published: September 2015

The anthomyiid genusBotanophilaconsists of over 200, mostly phytophagous, species. One species group maintains a mutualistic relationship withEpichloëfungi, thereby acting as vector of fungal spermatia required for fertilization, similar to pollinating parasites. The phylogenetic relationship of these flies with otherBotanophilaand the relatedChiastochetaspecies (obligatory associated with globeflowers) remains largely unresolved. In this study, we obtained new sequences of the mitochondrial genes COI and COII from a representative sample of 17 EuropeanBotanophilaandChiastochetaspecies including all sixEpichloë-associated species, as well as from four outgroup taxa. Phylogenetic analyses indicated thatEpichloë-associatedBotanophilaform a distinct clade suggesting that ancestralBotanophilamay have expanded its niche to European fungal hosts once and then successfully radiated while exploiting fungal tissue as additional food source. Furthermore, the three includedChiastochetaspecies formed a distinct clade nested withinBotanophila,leaving the genus paraphyletic as currently circumscribed.
Lijndenia udzungwarum (Melastomataceae–Olisbeoideae): a new, endemic species from the Udzungwa Mountains of southern Tanzania
Authors: Stone Robert Douglas , Luke Quentin
Published: September 2015

Lijndenia udzungwarum R.D. Stone & Q. Luke, a shrub or small tree of Tanzania’s Udzungwa Mountains, is described and illustrated. The placement of the new species in Lijndenia is indicated by its trinervate, papillose-muricate leaves and persistent bracteoles partially fused to form a cupule immediately subtending each flower. The cordate leaves of L. udzungwarum are unique in the genus. From the East African L. brenanii (A. Fern. & R. Fern.) Jacq.-Fél. and L. procteri (A. Fern. & R. Fern.) Borhidi, the new species is further distinguished by its capitellate inflorescences on long, filiform, axillary peduncles, resembling those of the Sri Lankan L. capitellata (Arn.) K. Bremer. Despite its local endemism, L. udzungwarum has been assessed as ‘Least Concern’ according to IUCN criteria, although this assessment is dependent on the continued safeguarding of the Udzungwa Mountains National Park. An identification key is provided for the three currently recognized Tanzanian species of Lijndenia.
Are General Circulation Models Ready for Operational Streamflow Forecasting for Water Management in the Ganges and Brahmaputra River Basins?
Authors: Sikder Safat , Chen Xiaodong , Hossain Faisal , Roberts Jason B. , Robertson Franklin , Shum C. K. , Turk Francis J.
Published: September 2015

This study asks the question of whether GCMs are ready to be operationalized for streamflow forecasting in South Asian river basins, and if so, at what temporal scales and for which water management decisions are they likely to be relevant? The authors focused on the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna basins for which there is a gridded hydrologic model calibrated for the 2002–10 period. The North American Multimodel Ensemble (NMME) suite of eight GCM hindcasts was applied to generate precipitation forecasts for each month of the 1982–2012 (30 year) period at up to 6 months of lead time, which were then downscaled according to the bias-corrected statistical downscaling (BCSD) procedure to daily time steps. A global retrospective forcing dataset was used for this downscaling procedure. The study clearly revealed that a regionally consistent forcing for BCSD, which is currently unavailable for the region, is one of the primary conditions to realize reasonable skill in streamflow forecasting. In terms of relative RMSE (normalized by reference flow obtained from the global retrospective forcings used in downscaling), streamflow forecast uncertainty (RMSE) was found to be 38%–50% at monthly scale and 22%–35% at seasonal (3 monthly) scale. The Ganges River (regulated) experienced higher uncertainty than the Brahmaputra River (unregulated). In terms of anomaly correlation coefficient (ACC), the streamflow forecasting at seasonal (3 monthly) scale was found to have less uncertainty (>0.3) than at monthly scale (<0.25). The forecast skill in the Brahmaputra basin showed more improvement when the time horizon was aggregated from monthly to seasonal than the Ganges basin. Finally, the skill assessment for the individual seasons revealed that the flow forecasting using NMME data had less uncertainty during monsoon season (July–September) in the Brahmaputra basin and in postmonsoon season (October–December) in the Ganges basin. Overall, the study indicated that GCMs can have value for management decisions only at seasonal or annual water balance applications at best if appropriate historical forcings are used in downscaling. The take-home message of this study is that GCMs are not yet ready for prime-time operationalization for a wide variety of multiscale water management decisions for the Ganges and Brahmaputra River basins.
Association between red blood cell distribution width and disease activity in patients with Behçet’s disease
Authors: Aksoy Şefika Nur , Savaş Esen , Sucu Murat , Kisacik Bünyamin , Kul Seval , Zengin Orhan
Published: September 2015

Objectives

To examine associations between red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and organ involvement and disease activity in patients with Behçet’s disease.

Methods

Haematological and inflammatory parameters including RDW, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were examined in patients with Behçet’s disease and in healthy controls. Patients were divided into those with active or inactive disease.

Results

Data from 236 patients with Behçet’s disease (77 with active and 159 with inactive disease) and 72 controls were analysed. RDW, ESR and hsCRP were significantly higher in patients with Behçet’s disease than in controls, and in those with active disease compared with inactive disease or controls. In addition, ESR and hsCRP were significantly higher in those with inactive disease than controls. No correlations were found between hsCRP, ESR and RDW. No differences were observed in RDW, ESR or hsCRP between patients with or without ocular or vascular involvement. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that RDW was significantly higher in active disease compared with inactive disease.

Conclusions

RDW was increased in active disease compared with inactive disease. No relationships were found between organ involvement and RDW. RDW may be a cost-effective, novel potential parameter to evaluate disease activity in Behçet’s disease.
Two-Dimensional Structure of the Sociosexual Orientation Inventory and Its Personality Correlates
Authors: Banai Benjamin , Pavela Irena
Published: September 2015

Sociosexuality refers to individual differences in willingness to engage in casual sex without emotional involvement with the partner. One of the most popular measures of sociosexuality is the Sociosexual Orientation Inventory (SOI) that was initially constructed as a one-dimensional measure. Although a multidimensional approach has been shown to be more informative, one-dimensional SOI scoring is still used. In this article, we replicate previous findings, using confirmatory procedures, that two-dimensional SOI scoring could be more adequate. Further, we demonstrate the advantages of a two-dimensional SOI structure in investigating relationships between sociosexuality and its personality correlates. These results could provide an incentive for a consensus of using multidimensional measures of sociosexuality.
Altered N-glycosylation modulates TgrB1- and TgrC1-mediated development but not allorecognition in Dictyostelium
Authors: Li Cheng-Lin Frank , Chen Gong , Webb Amanda Nicole , Shaulsky Gad
Published: September 2015

Cell surface adhesion receptors play diverse functions in multicellular development. In Dictyostelium, two immunoglobulin-like adhesion proteins, TgrB1 and TgrC1, are essential components with dual roles in morphogenesis and allorecognition during development. TgrB1 and TgrC1 form a heterophilic adhesion complex during cell contact and mediate intercellular communication. The underlying signaling pathways, however, have not been characterized. Here, we report on a mutation that suppresses the tgrB–tgrC1-defective developmental arrest. The mutated gene alg9 encodes a putative mannosyl transferase that participates in N-linked protein glycosylation. We show that alteration in N-linked glycosylation, caused by an alg9 mutation with a plasmid insertion (alg9ins) or tunicamycin treatment, can partially suppress the developmental phenotypes caused by tgrC1 deletion or replacement with an incompatible allele. The alg9ins mutation also preferentially primed cells toward a stalk-cell fate. Despite its effect on development, we found that altered N-linked glycosylation had no discernable effect on TgrB1-TgrC1-mediated allorecognition. Our results show that N-linked protein glycosylation can modulate developmental processes without disturbing cell-cell recognition, suggesting that tgrB1 and tgrC1 have distinct effects in the two processes.
Efficient Solid-phase Gene Delivery Mediated by Cerasome: Effect of Reverse Procedure on Transfection Performances in Comparison with Solution-based Method
Authors: Tahara Keishiro , Tsukui Miku , Maeno Takanori , Inagaki Naoyuki , Kikuchi Jun-ichi
Published: September 2015

An organic–inorganic hybrid liposome, cerasome, was utilized as a new gene carrier for solid-phase transfection. The cerasome-modified glass substrate exhibited an increased transfection performance for HEK293T cells, compared to a solution-based bulk method, because of the efficient contact between the cells and the cerasome–plasmid DNA complex on the substrate surface.
The Role of the Supplementary Professional Education in Building the Shared Information-Educational Environment
Authors: Шанин  , Shanin S. , Шехматов  , Shekhmatov S.
Published: September 2015

The paper concerns such timely and promising approach to improve the system of retraining and professional development of educators as creating

the shared information-educational environment, which would integrate several educational stages. Challenges and tasks facing the above mentioned

educational institutions are analyzed. It is further concluded that the system of retraining and professional development needs to be fundamentally

restructured and modernized. These activities should be undertaken in a variety of areas, including one of the most important goals — to introduce

inforamtization to the system of supplementary professional education, where the primary task is to create the shared information-educational

environment. Beside the advantages of informatization the authors also point out to the risks along the process and emphasize that introduction of IT

technologies should be incremental, targeted and well-thought-out.
Evaluation of TNF-α, IL-10 and IL-6 Cytokine Production and Their Correlation with Genotype Variants amongst Tuberculosis Patients and Their Household Contacts
Authors: Joshi Lavanya , Ponnana Meenakshi , Sivangala Ramya , Chelluri Lakshmi Kiran , Nallari Prathiba , Penmetsa Sitaramaraju , Valluri Vijayalakshmi , Gaddam Sumanlatha
Published: September 2015

Background

Household contacts of diagnostically established tuberculosis (TB) patients are highly susceptible to disease development. It is surmised that cytokines perhaps play a synergistic and a prognostic role in the activation of the otherwise latent infection in these house hold contacts. Evaluation of the cytokines and any of their inherent polymorphisms might provide a useful diagnostic tool in evaluating the immune regulation and the progression of the disease. The cytokines thus released in a paracrine manner in serum may also provide an indirect measure of the cytokine function.

Objective

The present study was aimed to evaluate the levels of TNF-α, IL-10 & IL-6 cytokines and their correlation with genotype variants amongst tuberculosis patients and their household contacts.

Methods

The cytokine levels were estimated in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and their polymorphisms were studied by amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction (ARMs PCR) in active pulmonary tuberculosis patients (APTB = 150), household contacts (HHC = 190), and healthy controls (HC = 150).

Results

The median values of TNF-α cytokine were significantly high among APTB and HHC compared to HCs (P< 0.0001 and 0.0001). IL-6 levels also were elevated among APTB compared to HHC and HC, and a significant difference was observed between APTB and HHC at P<0.0001; APTB & HC at P< 0.04; HHC & HC at P< 0.01. The IL-10 levels were low in APTB compared to HHC and HCs and no significant difference was observed. TNF-α/IL-10 ratio was significant and indicated Th1 predominance in APTB and HHC. IL-6/IL-10 showed pronounced Th1 expression in APTB and Th2 in HHC and HC. The ROC analysis indicated that both IL-10 and IL-6 can be used to decide the risk of exposed individual to a disease. The results of multivariate analysis indicate that IL-10 (-1082) GA genotype was significantly associated with p<0.028 in APTB. No significant association was observed between genotypes, other serum cytokine levels and clinical characteristics between APTB, HHC and HCs.

Conclusion

Large sample size with follow-up at different time points may further illuminate the role of IL-10 and IL-6 cytokines as a prognostic marker in house hold contacts.
Mechanism of Spontaneous Autogamy in the Allogamous Lepidopteran Orchid Gymnadenia Conopsea (L.) R. Br. (Orchidaceae)
Authors: Tałałaj Izabela , Skierczyński Michał
Published: September 2015

Studies of plant breeding systems are particularly important when they involve facultative processes, which can be overlooked in natural conditions. This especially applies to species that are considered allogamous, due to their pollination syndrome and floral architecture. We examined the potential level and factors enabling or limiting spontaneous autogamy in three populations of the lepidopteran orchid Gymnadenia conopsea. Using a bagging experiment, we noted the stages of the anther thecae and the positions of the pollinaria at the five phenological stages of the flower, as well as the quantity of autogamously set fruits and the number of properly formed seeds. In the studied populations, autogamy represents an accidental character, with a maximum of 3.3% of fruits set spontaneously per analysed sample in a given population, and with seed numbers ranging from 29 to 354. This process is an environmentally dependent co-product of the mechanisms that enable a position appropriate for touching the stigma (bending of the caudicle) and increase male fitness (disintegration of the massulae), preceded by the gradual opening of the anther chambers. Autopollination of G. conopsea may occur in the flowers at various flowering stages (excluding the beginning of anthesis) at each position on the inflorescence.
A C1,α$C^{1,\alpha}$ partial regularity result for integral functionals with p⁢(x)$p(x)$-growth condition
Authors: Giannetti Flavia
Published: September 2015

We establish${C^{1,\alpha}}$partial regularity for the local minimizers of integral functionals of the type

$\mathcal{F}(u;\Omega):=\int_{\Omega}(1+|Du|^{2})^{\frac{p(x)}{2}}\,dx,$

where the gradient of the exponent function${p(\,\cdot\,)\geq 2}$belongs to a suitable Orlicz–Zygmund class.
Not by structure alone: power, prominence, and agency in American finance
Authors: Young Kevin
Published: September 2015

I examine the challenges of conceptualization and measurement of structural power when the differential power of industries or individual firms are in question. While ascertaining structural power's operation at this level can be very challenging, I point to some issues of conceptualization and measurement that can enhance our analytic leverage at the initial stages of the research process. Specifically I propose a more refined language of “structural prominence” to differentiate between the expected causes of structural power from its hypothesized effects. Using a variety of data I show that researchers have some simple tools at their disposal but must pay careful attention to basic logical inferential limitations when examining structural power arguments. Through an examination of firms’ reactions to policy proposals in US securities regulation I find positive evidence for structural power operating in initial policy proposals. When I examine levels of preference attainment in the policymaking process itself, structural power appears to be playing a weaker and more conditional role. I also find that the preference attainment of firms is greatest when structural and instrumental forces operate in conjunction, a finding supportive of recent research in this area.
Multi-Level Construction of Polar Codes for Half-Duplex Wireless Coded-Cooperative Networks
Authors: Ejaz Saqib , FengFan Yang , Soliman Tamer H. M.
Published: September 2015

In this paper, Plotkin’s construction is employed to buildup longer length polar codes with the help of shorter length polar codes. Firstly, we present the multi-level code construction steps for non-cooperative communication schemes. Secondly, we extend the proposed multi-level polar code construction to coded-cooperative scenarios due to the parallel split in the proposed encoding scheme. Since, relay plays a pivotal role in the overall bit error rate (BER) performance of the coded-cooperative schemes, therefore, an efficient criteria of information bit selection at the relay is also presented. Furthermore, we propose a novel joint successive cancellation decoding scheme, which is employed at the destination and provides significant coding gains. Various numerical simulations show that the proposed polar coded-cooperative scheme (PCCS) scheme not only outperforms non-cooperative polar coded scheme but also the existing cooperative schemes for polar codes under identical conditions over an additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and quasi-static Rayleigh fading channels.
The Sticky Temptation of Poetry
Authors: Driscoll Kári
Published: September 2015

Sometime around 1900, a fundamental shift occurred in the way animals were represented in works of Western literature, art, and philosophy. Authors began to write about animals in a way that was unheard-of or even unimaginable in previous epochs. Traditionally, animals had fulfilled a symbolic, allegorical, or satirical function. But in the period around the turn of the twentieth century these animals begin, as it were, to »misbehave« or to »resist« the metaphorical values attributed to them. There is a conspicuous abundance of animals in the literature of this period, and this animal presence is frequently characterised by a profound and troubling ambiguity, which is often more or less explicitly linked to the problem of writing, representation, and language – specifically poetic or metaphorical language.

Taking the Austrian literary scholar Oskar Walzel’s 1918 essay »Neue Dichtung vom Tiere« as its starting point, this essay explores the historical and philosophical background of this paradigm shift as well as its implications for the study of animals in literature more generally. Zoopoetics is both an object of study in its own right and a specific methodological and disciplinary problem for literary animal studies: what can the study of animals can contribute to literary studies and vice versa? What can literary animal studies tell us about literature that conventional literary studies might otherwise be blind to? Although animals abound in the literature of almost every geographical area and historical period, traditional literary criticism has been marked by the tendency to disregard this ubiquitous animal presence in literary texts, or else a single-minded determination to read animals exclusively as metaphors and symbols for something else, in short as »animal imagery«, which, as Margot Norris writes, »presupposes the use of the concrete to express the abstract, and indeed, it seem[s] that nowhere in literature [are] animals to be allowed to be themselves« (Norris 1985, 17). But what does it mean for literary theory and criticism to allow animals to »be themselves«? Is it possible to resist the tendency to press animals »into symbolic service« (ibid.) as metaphors and allegories for the human, whilst also avoiding a naïve literalism with respect to the literary animal?

The pervasive uneasiness regarding the metaphorical conception of the animal within recent scholarship in animal studies stems from a more general suspicion that such a conception serves ultimately to assimilate the animal to a fundamentally logocentric discourse and hence to reduce »animal problems to a principle that functions within the
Propagation and survival of frequency-bin entangled photons in metallic nanostructures
Authors: Olislager Laurent , Kubo Wakana , Tanaka Takuo , Ungureanu Simona , Vallée Renaud A. L. , Kolaric Branko , Emplit Philippe , Massar Serge
Published: September 2015

We report on the design of two plasmonic nanostructures and the propagation of
frequency-bin entangled photons through them. The experimental findings clearly
show the robustness of frequency-bin entanglement, which survives after
interactions with both a hybrid plasmo-photonic structure, and a nano-pillar
array. These results confirm that quantum states can be encoded into the
collective motion of a many-body electronic system without demolishing their
quantum nature, and pave the way towards applications of plasmonic structures in
quantum information.
Photoconductivity of Low-Bandgap Polymer and Polymer: Fullerene Bulk Heterojunction Studied by Constant Photocurrent Method
Authors: Malov V. V. , Tameev A. R. , Novikov S. V. , Khenkin M. V. , Kazanskii A. G. , Vannikov A.V.
Published: September 2015

Optical and photoelectric properties of modern photosensitive polymers are of great interest due to their prospects for photovoltaic applications. In particular, an investigation of absorption and photoconductivity edge of these materials could provide valuable information. For these purpose we applied the constant photocurrent method which has proved its efficiency for inorganic materials. PCDTBT and PTB7 polymers were used as objects for the study as well as their blends with a fullerene derivative PC71BM. The measurements by constant photocurrent method (CPM) show that formation of bulk heterojunction (BHJ) in the blends increases photoconductivity and results in a redshift of the photocurrent edge in the doped polymers compared with that in the neat polymers. Obtained from CPM data, spectral dependences of absorption coefficient were approximated using Gaussian distribution of density-of-states within HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbital) and LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) bands. The approximation procedure allowed us to evaluate rather optical than electrical bandgaps for the studied materials. Moreover, spectra of polymer:PC71BM blends were fitted well by the sum of two Gaussian peaks which reveal both the transitions within the polymer and the transitions involving charge transfer states at the donor-acceptor interface in the BHJ.
Synthesis and evaluation of boron folates for Boron-Neutron-Capture-Therapy (BNCT)
Authors: Kettenbach Kathrin , Schieferstein Hanno , Grunewald Catrin , Iffland Dorothée , Reffert Laura M. , Hampel Gabriele , Schütz Christian L. , Bings Nicolas H. , Ross Tobias L.
Published: September 2015

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) employs 10B-pharmaceuticals administered for the treatment of malignancies, and
subsequently irradiated with thermal neutrons. So far, clinical established pharmaceuticals like boron phenylalanine (BPA) or sodium
boron mercaptate (BSH) use imperfect (BPA) or passive (BSH) targeting for accumulation at target sites. Due to the need of a selective
transportation of boron drugs into cancer cells and sparing healthy tissues, we combined the BNCT approach with the specific and
effective folate receptor (FR) targeting concept. The FR is overexpressed on many human carcinomas and provides a selective and
specific target for molecular imaging as well as for tumor therapy. We synthesized and characterized a carborane-folate as well as
a BSH-folate to study their in vitro characteristics and their potential as new boron-carriers for BNCT. Uptake studies were carried
out using human KB cells showing a significant increase of the boron content in cells and demonstrating the successful combination of
active FR-targeting and BNCT.
Interfacial Dilational Rheology of the Novel Zwitterionic Surfactants
Authors: Hu Songshuang , Li Zhenquan , Song Xinwang , Dong Linfang , Liu Yan , Zhang Lei , Zhang Lu , Zhao Sui
Published: September 2015

The dilational rheological properties of series branched betaine
surfactants: Guerbet p-(n-tetradecyl)-benzyl carboxybetaine
(C14GCB), Guerbet p-(n-dodecyl)-benzyl polyoxyethylene
ether(2) carboxybetaine (C12GE2CB), Guerbet
p-(n-tetradecyl)-benzyl polyoxyethylene ether(2) carboxybetaine
(C14GCB) and Guerbet p-(n-hexadecyl)-benzyl polyoxyethylene
ether(2) carboxybetaine (C16GCB), were investigated by
drop shape analysis method at the water-decane interface. The
dilational properties of surfactants were investigated as a function
of time, frequency and concentration. The experimental results show
that the time dependence was complex. It was also found that the
dilational modulus were almost independent of frequency in the
experimental concentration range for C14GE2CB and
C16GE2CB, while the dilational modulus of
C14GCB and C12GE2CB increased with the
increase of frequency, sharing the same results with conventional
zwitterionic surfactants. The results indicated the appearance of
a more elastic film for the C14GE2CB and
C16GE2CB due to the internal compression and expansion
of oxyethylene units (EO). On the other hand, the surfactant with
branched alkyl chain came forth a higher maximum value of dilational
modulus compared with the straight chain surfactants with the
increase of concentration, which means the branching of alkyl chain
was another important factor to control the interfacial film.
Evaluation of Bloodstream Infections during Chemotherapy-Induced Febrile Neutropenia in Patients with Malignant Hematological Diseases: Single Center Experience
Authors: Piukovics Klára , Terhes Gabriella , Lázár Andrea , Tímár Flóra , Borbényi Zita , Urbán Edit
Published: September 2015

From year to year, it is important to get an overview of the occurrence of causative agents in febrile neutropenic patients to determine the empiric treatment. Thus our aims were to evaluate a four-year period regarding the prevalence of bloodstream infections and the most important causative agents. During this period, 1,361 patients were treated in our hematology ward because of various hematological disorders. 812 febrile episodes were recorded in 469 patients. At that time, 3,714 blood culture (BC) bottles were sent for microbiological investigations, 759 of them gave positive signal. From the majority of positive blood culture bottles (67.1%), Gram-positive bacteria, mainly coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), were grown. Gram-negative bacteria were isolated from 32.9% of the positive blood culture bottles, in these cases the leading pathogen was Escherichia coli. The high prevalence of CNS was attributed to mainly contamination, while lower positivity rate for Gram-negative bacteria was associated with the use of broad-spectrum empiric antibiotic treatment.
A taxonomy of vocabulary learning strategies used in massively multiplayer online role-playing games
Authors: Bytheway Julie
Published: September 2015

Initiated in response to informal reports of vocabulary gains from gamers at universities in New Zealand and the Netherlands, this qualitative case study explored ways English language learners autonomously learn vocabulary while playing massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs). Using research processes inherent in Grounded Theory, data was collected from a criterion sample of six English Second-Language (ESL) experienced players of World of Warcraft®. Data included semi-structured interviews, observations, elicited email texts and extant texts. Data was transcribed, coded, and refined through a cyclic process of constant comparative analysis until patterns emerged. The results revealed 15 vocabulary learning strategies, including noticing frequency, recognizing knowledge gap, selecting words for attention, equating images and actions to word, giving and receiving explanations and feedback, observing players, using words to learn words, reading in-game information, and using Google. Commercial off-the-shelf MMORPGs are valuable vocabulary learning contexts because meaningful communication is an inherent and enormous part of gameplay. In addition, hundreds of millions of ESL learners use digital games outside schools for informal language learning. This taxonomy of 15 vocabulary learning strategies provides a framework for further research into autonomous learning in informal digital contexts.
A formação de docentes para a educação profissional e tecnológica
Authors: Moura Dante Henrique
Published: September 2015

No texto, discutimos a formação dos docentes da educação profissional e tecnológica – EPT. O trabalho está organizado
de forma a buscar respostas para duas questões: formação de professores para que sociedade? Formação de
professores para que EPT? Desenvolvemos o tema por meio de revisão bibliográfica e análise documental. Concluímos
que para avançar na direção delineada ao longo do texto, é fundamental que haja maior articulação entre os
sistemas de ensino e desses com outros órgãos e esferas de governo no sentido de aproximar as instituições públicas
que atuam na EPT entre si e na sociedade.
Manifestação do Concefet sobre os Institutos Federais de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia
Authors: CEFET's Conselho Dirigente dos
Published: September 2015

O Conselho de Dirigentes dos Centros Federais de Educação – Concefet, neste documento, se manifesta em relação à proposta de criação dos Institutos Federais de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia – IFET, cuja principal referência, no momento, é o Decreto nº 6.095, de 24 de abril de 2007. Este documento é fruto dos debates, no âmbito do Concefet, que sucederam a apresentação da proposta de criação dos Institutos Federais dentre as medidas contidas
no Plano de Desenvolvimento da Educação – PDE do segundo governo do presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva e representa o sentimento dos diretores gerais de que a nova construção institucional pode melhor traduzir o significado da educação profissional e tecnológica enquanto modalidade potencializadora do indivíduo no desenvolvimento de sua capacidade de gerar conhecimento a partir de uma prática interativa com a realidade.
Os Institutos Federais podem se constituir em fundamentais espaços no âmbito das políticas que visam à construção de caminhos voltados para o desenvolvimento socioeconômico regional a partir de uma conduta articulada ao contexto produtivo do território onde está instalado, que significa relacionar o seu trabalho à vocação produtiva e demandas do seu lócus. Assim, a formação profissional, na qual se inclui a de professores, a difusão, popularização e
democratização do conhecimento científico são itens constitutivos da identidade dos Institutos Federais. O Conselho de Dirigentes dos Centros Federais de Educação Tecnológica, por outro lado, ao assumir posição, o faz colocando em destaque a concepção de instituição que defende as condições objetivas necessárias para a sua materialização.
Da Escola de Aprendizes ao Instituto Federal de Sergipe: 1909 - 2009
Authors: Santos Neto Amâncio Cardoso dos
Published: September 2015

Este artigo apresenta um histórico do Instituto Federal de Sergipe, tratando de assuntos político-pedagógicos e administrativos pertinentes às diversas fases do ensino profissional em Sergipe, desde a criação da Escola de Aprendizes, no início do século XX; passando pelo Liceu de Aracaju, durante a ditadura de Getúlio Vargas (1937-1945), quando o Brasil intensifica sua industrialização; mudando a denominação, logo depois, para Escola Industrial em conformidade com as transformações econômicas e políticas provocadas pela Segunda Grande Guerra Mundial (1939-1945); em seguida, as Escolas Industriais se transformaram em Escolas Técnicas Federais, de acordo com as políticas de educação da época da Ditadura Militar pós-1964. No final do Século XX, as Escolas Técnicas se transformaram em Centros Federais de Educação Tecnológica, num período de abertura política e econômica, atendendo às demandas das novas tecnologias na educação num cenário globalizado. E por fim, este artigo encerra com a expansão e criação da nova concepção da rede
federal de ensino tecnológico e profissionalizante que cria os Institutos Federais em 2008, verticalizando o ensino e dando oportunidade a um maior número de brasileiros a entrarem no novo mundo do trabalho através da educação profissional e tecnológica.
The role of ecotypic variation and the environment on biomass and nitrogen in a dominant prairie grass
Authors: Mendola Meredith L. , Baer Sara G. , Johnson Loretta C. , Maricle Brian R.
Published: September 2015

Knowledge of the relative strength of evolution and the environment on a phenotype is required to predict species responses to environmental change and decide where to source plant material for ecological restoration. This information is critically needed for dominant species that largely determine the productivity of the central U.S. grassland. We established a reciprocal common garden experiment across a longitudinal gradient to test whether ecotypic variation interacts with the environment to affect growth and nitrogen (N) storage in a dominant grass. We predicted plant growth would increase from west to east, corresponding with increasing precipitation, but differentially among ecotypes due to local adaptation in all ecotypes and a greater range of growth response in ecotypes originating from west to east. We quantified aboveground biomass, root biomass, belowground net primary production (BNPP), root C:N ratio, and N storage in roots of three ecotypes of Andropogon gerardii collected from and reciprocally planted in central Kansas, eastern Kansas, and southern Illinois. Only the ecotype from the most mesic region (southern Illinois) exhibited more growth from west to east. There was evidence for local adaptation in the southern Illinois ecotype by means of the local vs. foreign contrast within a site and the home vs. away contrast when growth in southern Illinois was compared to the most distant site in central Kansas. Root biomass of the eastern Kansas ecotype was higher at home than at either away site. The ecotype from the driest region, central Kansas, exhibited the least response across the environmental gradient, resulting in a positive relationship between the range of biomass response and precipitation in ecotype region of origin. Across all sites, ecotypes varied in root C:N ratio (highest in the driest‐origin ecotype) and N storage in roots (highest in the most mesic‐origin ecotype). The low and limited range of biomass, higher C:N ratio of roots, and lower N storage in the central Kansas ecotype relative to the southern Illinois ecotype suggests that introducing ecotypes of A. gerardii from much drier regions into highly mesic prairie would reduce productivity and alter belowground ecosystem processes under a wide range of conditions.
Interspecific competition in phytoplankton drives the availability of essential mineral and biochemical nutrients
Authors: Wacker Alexander , Marzetz Vanessa , Spijkerman Elly
Published: September 2015

The underlying mechanisms and consequences of competition and diversity are central themes in ecology. A higher diversity of primary producers often results in higher resource use efficiency in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. This may result in more food for consumers on one hand, while, on the other hand, it can also result in a decreased food quality for consumers; higher biomass combined with the same availability of the limiting compound directly reduces the dietary proportion of the limiting compound. Here we tested whether and how interspecific competition in phytoplankton communities leads to changes in resource use efficiency and cellular concentrations of nutrients and fatty acids. The measured particulate carbon : phosphorus ratios (C:P) and fatty acid concentrations in the communities were compared to the theoretically expected ratios and concentrations of measurements on simultaneously running monocultures. With interspecific competition, phytoplankton communities had higher concentrations of the monounsaturated fatty acid oleic acid and also much higher concentrations of the ecologically and physiologically relevant long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid than expected concentrations based on monocultures. Such higher availability of essential fatty acids may contribute to the positive relationship between phytoplankton diversity and zooplankton growth, and may compensate limitations by mineral nutrients in higher trophic levels.
Factors of Good Collaboration in Home-Based End-of-Life Care: A Questionnaire Survey of Japanese Home Care Nurses, Home Helpers, and Care Managers
Authors: Yamamoto-Mitani Noriko , Igarashi Ayumi , Noguchi-Watanabe Maiko , Takemura Yukie , Suzuki Miho
Published: September 2015

Good interprofessional work (IPW) is essential to provide quality home-based end-of-life (EOL) care. The purpose of this study was to explore the factors of “good collaboration,” as evaluated separately by home care nurses (HNs), home helpers (HHs), and care managers (CMs). The relationship was examined between their evaluation of good collaboration and their recent actual experience of interprofessional collaborative work for a home-based EOL case. The questionnaire was returned nationwide by 378 HNs, 305 HHs, and 476 CMs, and data were collected on 177 EOL cases from HNs, 84 cases from HHs, and 123 cases from CMs. Evaluation of good collaboration by HNs was associated with working with a CM with whom they had multiple collaborative experiences, the client being independent for their toileting until just before dying, and sharing information regarding the client’s EOL decision with an HH 1 month before dying. Evaluation of good collaboration by HHs was associated with working at an agency that collaborated with fewer CM agencies and working at an agency that allowed staff to visit dying clients. Evaluation of good collaboration by CMs was associated only with the client being dependent for toileting. Our results highlighted the characteristics of how each professional seeks to collaborate depending on their preparedness, contexts, and resultant expectations toward other professionals when entering the IPW for home-based EOL care. To promote good IPW for home-based EOL care further, professionals need to understand these differences among ourselves and try to meet others’ expectations.
Approaches to Information Sharing and Assessment: Evidence From a Demonstration Program
Authors: Chester Helen , Hughes Jane , Clarkson Paul , Davies Sue , Challis David
Published: September 2015

This article categorizes and delineates approaches to information sharing and assessment in a demonstration program established by central government in England. Its purpose was to develop and test a set of principles relating to a general assessment framework for adults in demonstrator sites, maximizing the use of information technology where feasible. The method employed comprised the systematic analysis of documents associated with the funding application and a telephone interview with personnel in each site. Data were collected from 17 initiatives, 13 of which provided detailed information on information sharing within the assessment process. A taxonomy of approaches was produced and information sharing in the assessment process reported in terms of setting and personnel; approaches to data collection, storage, and transfer; and changes to the process. A classification of the initiatives within a demonstration program was a useful means of describing them. Measures of intermediate outcomes captured changes in information sharing between agencies. Local initiatives were successful in promoting electronic information sharing between health and social care agencies.
Land‐Use Change Impact on Soil Sustainability in a Climate and Vegetation Transition Zone
Authors: Reitsma K.D. , Dunn B.H. , Mishra U. , Clay S.A. , DeSutter T. , Clay D.E.
Published: September 2015

A growing world population and climate change are expected to influence future agricultural productivity and land use. This study determined the impact of land‐use change on soil sustainability and discussed the factors contributing to these changes. South Dakota was selected as a model system because corn (Zea mays L.) grain prices tripled between 2006 and 2012 and it is located in a climate and grassland/cropland transition zone. High resolution imagery was used to visually determine land uses (cropland, grassland, nonagricultural, habitat, and water) at 14,400 points in 2006 and 2012. At each point, land‐use change and the USDA land capability class (LCC) were determined. Over the 6‐yr study period, 6.87% of the grasslands (730,000 ha) were converted to cropland, with 93% occurring on lands generally considered suitable for crop production (LCC ≤ IV) if appropriate practices are followed. Converted grasslands, however, had higher LCC values than existing croplands and lower LCC values than remaining grasslands. In addition, 4.2% of the croplands (250,000 ha) were converted to grasslands, and statewide, 20,000 ha of croplands were converted to grasslands in areas limited by excess water (LCC V). The conversion of grasslands could not be linked to one specific factor and may be related to: (i) a desire to increase financial returns, (ii) changes in the land ownership structure, (iii) technology improvements, (iv) governmental policies, (v) climate change, and (vi) an aging workforce. Research and outreach programs that balance the goods and services of different land uses are needed to maintain sustainable agroecosystems.
Effect of Green Manures on Rice Growth and Plant Nutrients under Conventional and No‐Till Systems
Authors: Gao Xiaoye , Lv Aimin , Zhou Peng , Qian Yaling , An Yuan
Published: September 2015

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a good green manure resource with high N and P concentrations, but its effect on rice (Oryza sativa L.) growth and plant nutrients has not been fully elucidated. Two green manure species, alfalfa and broad bean (Vicia faba L.), and two N fertilizer levels (0 and 200 kg ha−1), alone or in combination, were applied to rice paddy soil under conventional tillage (CT) and no‐till (NT) systems in 2010 and 2011. The results showed that, under CT, alfalfa had a more pronounced effect on increasing grain yield and nutrient content in the grain, plant (leaf N and leaf P), and soil (total N and Olsen P) than broad bean (p < 0.05). Compared with the N fertilizer treatment, the alfalfa treatment alone achieved statistically equivalent levels of grain yield but significantly increased P contents in grain and leaf and Olsen P in soil. The leaf P concentrations at the panicle and grain filling stages had significant positive direct effects and indirect effects via leaf N concentration on grain yield. The effect of alfalfa green manure on the supply of available P to rice was equal between CT and NT systems. The combined treatment of alfalfa and N fertilizer achieved the highest grain yield of all treatments, increasing the yield under CT by 8.58 and 8.21% compared with the N fertilizer treatment in 2010 and 2011, respectively. These results indicate that green manure with a high P concentration is capable of alleviating P deficiency in both CT and NT rice cultivation systems.
Performance evaluation of a novel reciprocation membrane bioreactor (rMBR) for enhanced nutrient removal in wastewater treatment: a comparative study
Authors: Ho Jaeho , Smith Shaleena , Kim Gyu Dong , Roh Hyung Keun
Published: September 2015

This study compared and evaluated the performance of a conventional membrane bioreactor (MBR) and a novel reciprocation MBR (rMBR) which used mechanical membrane reciprocation in place of membrane air scouring in pilot-scale tests. Each system was independently operated for 280 days at a local wastewater treatment plant for a parallel assessment of operating performance. The rMBR was found to be more effective than the MBR with regard to operating performance and energy consumption. Inertial forces created by the reciprocating motion shook foulants from the membrane surface. In addition, because of the looseness of the fibers, they moved relative to each other during reciprocation thus preventing sludge clogging inside the fiber bundle. Because the rMBR does not use aeration for membrane cleaning, the membrane tank in the rMBR maintained anoxic conditions, allowing endogenous denitrification in the membrane tank. The rMBR permeate contained an average of 1.7 mg/L total nitrogen (TN) with less than 1 mg/L NO3-N, while the TN concentration in the MBR permeate averaged 5 mg/L with 3.5 mg/L NO3-N. The specific energy consumption for membrane reciprocation in the rMBR was 0.064 kWh/m3, while that for air scouring in the MBR was 0.19 kWh/m3.