bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrodynamic Modeling on Suciu River (Maramures County)
Authors: Năsui Daniel , Paşca Adela , Ciurte Dan Lucian
Published: June 2016

The GIS database containing the topographic and land use information was made in 2012, followed by field measurements surveys in 2013 and 2014. A number of 11 cross-sections were topographically apprised in the valley along the 11 km river reach. The geometric data requirements for the modeling software were prepared in ESRI’s ArcGIS™ 9.2 software using the HEC-GeoRAS extension. The steady flow data was edited in the HEC-RAS one-dimensional flow modeling software. Four scenarios were used for the river discharge, from normal to overflow. The results come in different forms, from tabular output, to stage hydrograph, to velocity distribution or 3D diagrams, all of which give a clear vision on the overflow high risk areas. The results were exported back to the GIS extension for additional spatial operations. Flow velocity maps were generated for each discharge scenario. Although the scenarios included very high discharge values, the flood impact on people assets is minimal. The reasons for this are the high slope of the riverbed and the proper placement in the floodplain, due mainly to the flood management works that took place after the 1970 flood.
Airsynoptical Conditions Which Had an Influence on Air Temperature Regime During Warm Season, in Northern Moldavia, in the Past 20 Years (1994–2013)
Authors: Ilie Nicolae , Apostol Liviu , Olaru Livia Mădălina
Published: June 2016

In the present work has been studied weather types that have characterized the North of Moldavia over the last 20 years and the role of synoptic conditions which stood behind them. In this study, we will show the role of airsynoptical conditions which give the look of the weather characterized during this period, a frequency of types of circulations to highlight a general trend, the induced effects on air temperature and in the weather and climate risks, that resulted (scattered thunderstorms phenomena associated with a high termic contrast, dryness, freezing phenomena, early, in the final of August and September and later, in April-May.
Characteristics of the Land Degradation in the Stavnic River Basin
Authors: Puflea Suzana Mirela , Ioniţă Ion
Published: June 2016

Located in the Central Moldavian Plateau, the Stavnic catchment is associated to a left tributary of the upper Barlad River, and extends on 21,341 ha of which 39% is under forest.

The typical hilly landforms, the alternation of permeable and impermeable rocks (clays, sands, loess-like deposits), the unrolling of wetted and dry periods, the sequence of freeze and thaw cycles, and the influence of the anthropogenic factor triggered the acceleration of land degradation processes. The present day geomorphic processes such as soil erosion, gullying, mass movements and silting of reservoirs represent a major threat to the local environment.

Soil erosion on the agricultural land covers mainly the land with slopes of over 5%, and it highlights through different stages of intensity. By data processing, gained from the soil surveys undertaken by O.J.S.P.A. Iasi and Vaslui, it is obviously that moderate-excessive soil erosion extends on 52% of the surveyed area.

The gully erosion apparently plays secondary role in the Stavnic catchment. However, there has been identified a total number of 330 gullies, most of them being included into discontinuous gullies class, often located on the hillslopes.

Landslides are the most representative geomorphologic processes and they extend on 12,006 ha, which represents 56% of the Stavnic catchment. One mention must be made, that in the context of climate aridisation occurred during the last three decades, the landslides are almost all stabilized. The majority of the few active landslides have frequently formed through the reactivation of the old landslide diluvia.

By using the Cesium-137 technique in dating the recent sediments from the Cazanesti accumulation, within the lower Stavnic catchment, the mean siltation rate of 4.5 cm yr-1 after the Chernobyl nuclear accident was estimated.
Effects of word class and training method on vocabulary learning in a second language
Authors: Ludington Jason D.
Published: June 2016

It is not fully known whether nouns or verbs are easier to learn in a second language. A noun learning advantage has been observed for children in many languages (e.g., Gentner, 1982), but few have examined whether mature second language learners show a similar pattern. In the current study 84 university students were trained with nonce words for 96 familiar, concrete concepts (half nouns, half verbs), half labeled ostensibly, and half in contexts that allowed label meanings to be inferred. Vocabulary knowledge was assessed through recognition tests after a delay of either five minutes or one week. No evidence of a word class advantage was found—participants did not demonstrate a noun advantage. Ostensive training was superior to inferential training at five minutes but not after one week.
Classifier constructions as procedural referring expressions in American Sign Language
Authors: Jones Stephen
Published: June 2016

The present paper comments on signs of American Sign Language in the perspective of relevance theory. The main claim is that classifiers encode procedural instructions to help the addressee pick out the intended referent for the procedural referring expressions made with classifier constructions. The author explains how three classes of classifiers differently manipulate concepts to instruct the addressee to create ad hoc concepts though the use of inference, narrowing, and broadening. It is also claimed that classifier constructions do not encode a conceptual meaning, but a procedural instruction. The discussion includes illustrations of how the speaker’s using classifier constructions instead of lexical signs may increase the number of cognitive effects on the part of the addressee.
Inter-relations of core language, pragmatic language, and social competence in preschoolers
Authors: Lau Clarissa
Published: June 2016

Language skills provide preschoolers with the foundational skills needed to socially interact, but little is known about the relationship between specific language skills and broad constructs of social competence. Sixteen preschoolers between 3-5 years with varying language abilities were recruited. Descriptive and correlational analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between language and social competence. The main finding of this study showed that early literacy skills and word knowledge and retrieval were significantly correlated with Social Independence and Social Interaction respectively. These findings support the notion that the content of preschoolers’ conversations rather than the accuracy of their speech or syntax is associated with success in social interaction and social independence.
Incomplete descriptions and the underdetermination problem
Authors: Moldovan Andrei
Published: June 2016

The purpose of this paper is to discuss two phenomena related to the semantics of definite descriptions: that of incomplete uses of descriptions, and that of the underdetermination of  referential uses of descriptions. The Russellian theorist has a way of accounting for incomplete uses of descriptions by appealing to an account of quantifier domain restriction, such as the one proposed in Stanley and Szabó (2000a). But, I argue, the Russellian is not the only one in a position to appeal to such an account of incomplete uses of descriptions. Proponents of other theories, such as the Fregean, which does not treat descriptions as quantifiers, might benefit from this account of domain restriction. In the second part of the paper I discuss referential uses of incomplete definite descriptions. Relative to such uses, Wettstein (1981) and others have argued that the Russellian theory faces a problem of underdetermination of semantic content. Neale (2004) has replied to this objection showing why it does not pose a threat to the Russellian theory. Again, I argue that not only the Russellian, but also the Fregean can subscribe to Neale’s (2004) suggestion.
Spectral dynamics in L1 and L2 vowel perception
Authors: Schwartz Geoffrey , Aperliński Grzegorz , Jekiel Mateusz , Malarski Kamil
Published: June 2016

This paper presents a study of L1 and L2 vowel perception by Polish learners of English. Employing the Silent Center paradigm (e.g. Strange et al. 1983), by which listeners are presented with different portions of a vowel, a force choice identification task was carried out. Due to differences in the vowel systems of the two languages, it was hypothesized that stimulus type should have minimal effects for L1 Polish vowel perception since Polish vowels are relatively stable in quality. In L2 English, depending on proficiency level, listeners were expected to adopt a more dynamic approach to vowel identification and show higher accuracy rates on the SC tokens. That is, listeners were expected to attend more to dynamic formant cues, or vowel inherent spectral change (VISC; see e.g. Morrison and Assmann 2013) in vowel perception. Results for identification accuracy for the most part were consistent with these hypotheses. Implications of VISC for the notion of cross-language phonetic similarity, crucial to models of L2 speech acquisition, are also discussed.
Pre-fortis shortening in Czech English: A production and reaction-time study
Authors: Skarnitzl Radek , Šturm Pavel
Published: June 2016

This study focuses on the production and perception of English words with a fortis vs. lenis obstruent in the syllable coda. The contrast is mostly cued by the duration of the preceding vowel, which is shorter before fortis than before lenis sounds in native speech. In the first experiment we analyzed the production of 10 Czech speakers of English and compared them to two native controls. The results showed that the Czech speakers did not sufficiently exploit duration to cue the identity of the word-final obstruent. In the second experiment we manipulated C and V durations in target words to transplant the native ratios onto the Czech-accented speech, enhancing the fortis–lenis contrast, and vice versa. 108 listeners took part in a word-monitoring task in which reaction times were measured. The hypothesized advantage to items in which the target word (with a fortis or lenis obstruent) was semantically congruent with the following context was not confirmed, and subsequent analyses showed that the words’ frequency of use and the collocations they enter into strongly affect speech processing and correlate to a large degree with the reaction times.
Perceptual impact of speech melody hybridization: English and Czech English
Authors: Volín Jan , Poesová Kristýna
Published: June 2016

The current paper examines the role of intonation in the perception of foreign-accented speech. In order to assess how difficult it is to mentally process native, non-native and modified speech melodies, four conditions were analyzed and compared: native English, native English with Czech melody, Czech English with native melody and Czech English. The method of reaction times measurement in a word monitoring task was employed, in which 108 Czech listeners heard English sentences in the explored conditions and pressed a button when hearing a target word. Speech melody turned out to have a relatively weak but discernible impact on perceptual processing. Interestingly, Czech English proved to be more difficult to process than native English, although the listeners were Czech. The implementation of English F0 contours on Czech English speech slightly alleviated the cognitive load, however, the second hybrid, native English with Czech melody, pointed to the opposite direction. The causes of this discrepancy were investigated, particularly higher degrees of collocability in certain expressions.
English pronunciation teaching at different educational levels: Insights into teachers’ perceptions and actions
Authors: Szyszka Magdalena
Published: June 2016

The aim of the present paper is to reflect upon the place of pronunciation in English as a foreign language (EFL) teaching at different educational levels in Poland. To collect the data, an on-line survey was conducted among EFL professionals teaching at primary, lower secondary, and higher secondary schools in Poland. The questions focused on the respondents’ beliefs about pronunciation, teachers’ competences regarding pronunciation and pronunciation teaching, and the pronunciation teaching techniques they use. The results depict the most and least frequently used pronunciation teaching techniques at each of the three educational stages, and the beliefs of EFL teachers in Poland regarding pronunciation teaching.
Perception of Allophonic Cues to English Word Boundaries by Polish Learners: Approximant Devoicing in English
Authors: Rojczyk Arkadiusz , Schwartz Geoffrey , Balas Anna
Published: June 2016

The study investigates the perception of devoicing of English /w, r, j, l/ after /p, t, k/ as a word-boundary cue by Polish listeners. Polish does not devoice sonorants following voiceless stops in word-initial positions. As a result, Polish learners are not made sensitive to sonorant devoicing as a segmentation cue. Higher-proficiency and lower-proficiency Polish learners of English participated in the task in which they recognised phrases such as buy train vs. bite rain or pie plot vs. pipe lot. The analysis of accuracy scores revealed that successful segmentation was only above chance level, indicating that sonorant voicing/devoicing cue was largely unattended to in identifying the boundary location. Moreover, higher proficiency did not lead to more successful segmentation. The analysis of reaction times showed an unclear pattern in which higher-proficiency listeners segmented the test phrases faster but not more accurately than lower-proficiency listeners. Finally, #CS sequences were recognised more accurately than C#S sequences, which was taken to suggest that the listeners may have had some limited knowledge that devoiced sonorants appear only in word-initial positions, but they treated voiced sonorants as equal candidates for word-final and word-initial positions.
Post-Technokratie Prekäre Verantwortung in digitalen Kontexten
Authors: Dickel Sascha
Published: June 2016

Der Beitrag widmet sich einer Wissenssoziologie der Technokratie. Zunächst wird dafür die Architektur der technokratischen Semantik skizziert und in ihrer Funktionalität als De-Individualisierung von Verantwortung dechiffriert. Drei sozialstrukturelle Momente - ubiquitäre Technisierung, infrastrukturelle Zentralisierung und scharf asymmetrische Inklusionsordnungen - werden dabei als Nährboden der Technokratiesemantik herausgearbeitet. Es zeigt sich, dass Technokratie als Semantik in Zeiten digitaler Medien nicht mehr bruchlos funktioniert: Dystopien einer neuen Technokratie auf Basis ubiquitärer Technisierung im Kontext digitaler Medien stehen Utopien einer digitalen Emanzipation gegenüber, die sich auf Potentiale infrastruktureller Dezentralisierung und symmetrischer Inklusion berufen. Die diskursive Verflechtung utopisch-dystopischer Semantiken ist Indiz einer ambivalenten Subjektivierung im Spannungsfeld von Technik und Verantwortung. Der Beitrag schließt mit der These, dass sich die Genese einer post-technokratischen Verantwortungssemantik in digitalen Kontexten beobachten lasst, welche sich durch ein Oszillieren zwischen individueller Verantwortungsnegation und inflationärer individueller Verantwortungszuschreibung auszeichnet.
The limits of ignorance – financial literacy and the corporate responsibilization to the business of life
Authors: Højbjerg Erik
Published: June 2016

How do corporations seek to construe and mobilize responsible consumers by offering products and services, the consumption of which are assumed to transform the individual’s self-relationship along proclaimed ethical and political goals? In the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis, increasing the financial literacy of ordinary citizen-consumers has taken a prominent position among regulators and financial institutions alike. The logic seems to be that financially capable individuals will enjoy social and political inclusion as well as an ability to exercise a stronger influence in markets. The article specifically contributes to our understanding of the governmentalization of the present by addressing how - at least in part - the corporate spread of financial literacy educational initiatives can be observed as a particular form of power at-a-distance responsibilizing the consumer. The focus is on the role of private enterprise in governmentalizing the business of life by establishing and mobilizing specific conceptual forms around which the life skills of the entrepreneurial self involves a responsibilization of the individual citizen-consumer.
Playful hyper-responsibility and the making of a performing audience
Authors: Andersen Niels Åkerstrøm , Knudsen Hanne
Published: June 2016

The citizen is currently presumed to lack both the will to take responsibility and the imagination to see what his or her responsibility may include. This »lack of responsibility« becomes an object of intervention because function systems see themselves as depending on the citizens: The educational system sees itself as depending on the student to succeed in creating learning; the health system sees itself as depending on the patient to succeed in promoting health. Responsibility games are one method used to make citizens responsible. In this paper we argue that these games and other present welfare politics striving to increase personal responsibility do not simply increase responsibility, they have at least two important effects: 1. With responsibility games personal responsibility is no longer presumed, and the form of personal responsibility is dislocated into a form of playful hyper-responsibility. To be recognized as responsible, the citizen should go second order and reflect on and investigate his / her potential responsibilities. 2. Responsibility games redistribute the roles in the function systems as the traditional distinction between performance roles (e.g. doctor or teacher) and audience role (e.g. patient or student) is challenged by a new hybrid, »the performing audience« . The citizen is both an object of treatment and investigation, - with the professional as the expert - , and a performer, regarding him / herself through the eyes of the system in order to take responsibility.
Gesellschaftstheorie der Verantwortung. Funktion und Folgen eines Mechanismus der Reduktion sozialer Komplexität
Authors: Henkel Anna
Published: June 2016

Die im Folgenden angestellten Überlegungen gehen der Vermutung nach, dass eine aktuelle Ubiquität individueller Verantwortung als gesellschaftliches Krisensymptom gedeutet werden kann - einerseits werden Schaden tendenziell als Resultat eines individuell zu verantwortenden menschlichen Handelns auf den von diesem Schaden betroffenen Akteur zugerechnet, andererseits stehen solche unerwünschten Ereignisse zunehmend mit komplexen Systemdynamiken in Verbindung. Diese Entwicklung wird auf der Grundlage einer kursorischen Evidenz sowie einer Begriffsklärung von Verantwortung, Handlung und Erwartung gesellschaftstheoretisch verortet: Ausgangspunkt ist der Gedanke, dass in der modernen Gesellschaft Handlungsfähigkeit ausschließlich Menschen, dafür aber allen Menschen grundsätzlich zuerkannt wird. Dabei ist die sachlich-soziale Reichweite dieser Handlungsfähigkeit jedoch zunächst noch nach einem stratifizierten Muster differenziert. Diese Zurechnung von Verantwortung auf Personen wird als Mechanismus der Komplexitätsreduktion beobachtet und nachgezeichnet, wie der Bereich der in ihren Folgen zu verantwortenden Handlungen sachlich und sozial generalisiert wird. Abschließend wird diskutiert, wie mit der Konstellation umzugehen ist, dass einerseits die Zurechnung als Handlung auf Menschen in der modernen Gesellschaft unhintergehbar, andererseits eben jene Zurechnung zum Teil jedoch fragwürdig geworden ist.
(Neo-)Phänomenologie der Sportsucht. Eine theoretische und empirische Annäherung / Towards a (Neo-)Phenomenology of Exercise Addiction. A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis
Authors: Gugutzer Robert
Published: June 2016

Seit ihrem Aufkommen in den 1970er Jahren interessiert sich die Sportsuchtforschung vor allem für psychische und körperliche Ursachen und Auswirkungen sportsüchtigen Verhaltens. Darin spiegelt sich die Vorherrschaft von Psychologie und Medizin in diesem Forschungsfeld. Der Text ergänzt diese thematischen Schwerpunkte und disziplinären Ansätze der bisherigen Sportsuchtforschung, indem er die leiblichen und personalen Dimensionen sportsüchtigen Handelns und Erlebens in den Mittelpunkt rückt und dafür mit der Neuen Phänomenologie einen philosophischen Ansatz wählt. Damit betritt der Beitrag wissenschaftliches Neuland. Um das Erkenntnispotenzial dieser Phäno­menologie der Sportsucht zu verdeutlichen, erläutert der Text erstens die hierfür zentralen neophä­nomenologischen Konzepte ‚Leiblichkeit‘ und ‚Personalität‘, präsentiert zweitens daran anknüpfend Eckpunkte einer Neophänomenologie der Sportsucht, die drittens für eine empirische Einzelfallana­lyse genutzt werden.
Die Wettkampfteilnahme 17-jähriger Jugendlicher: Demografie oder Zustrom? / Participation of 17-Year-Olds in Sports Competitions: A Question of Demographics or Changing Demand?
Authors: Thieme Lutz
Published: June 2016

Mit Hilfe von Daten des Sozio-oekonomischen Panels (SOEP), von Bevölkerungsdaten sowie DOSB-Bestandserhebungen werden die Teilnehmerzahlen von 17-Jährigen an Wettkämpfen für die Jahre 2000 bis 2012 nachgezeichnet und die Entwicklung bis 2020 prognostiziert. Entgegen moder­nisierungstheoretischen Annahmen und verbreiteten Auffassungen finden sich kein Rückgang des Zustroms zu Wettkämpfen und kein Bedeutungsverlust des organisierten Sports als Wettkampfan­bieter. Das Einstiegsalter in die Sportart, in der mit 17 Jahren an Wettkämpfen teilgenommen wird, hat sich in frühere Lebensjahre verschoben. Trotz bestehender Prognoseunsicherheiten ist in den kommenden Jahren ein starkes Absinken der Zahl der 17-jährigen Wettkampfteilnehmerinnen und -teilnehmer wenig wahrscheinlich.
Souvenirs „made in Switzerland“
Authors: Taufer Barbara , Steffen Angela , Steffen Dagmar
Published: June 2016

Souvenirs spielen in der Tourismuswirtschaft sowohl auf der Nachfrage- als auch auf der Angebotsseite eine wichtige Rolle. Dieser Artikel identifiziert die zentralen Gästebedürfnisse und Motive im Souvenirkauf mit speziellem Fokus auf nachhaltig produzierten Souvenirs. Im Rahmen eines angewandten Forschungsprojekts mit fünf Praxispartnern wurde eine quantitative Nachfrageanalyse durchgeführt, welche die Basis für die anschließende Entwicklung und Produktion innovativer, nachhaltiger Souvenirs bildet. Die Nachfrageanalyse bietet neue Erkenntnisse zum Kaufverhalten verschiedener Gästetypen in der Schweiz sowie zu den Bedürfnissen und der Zahlungsbereitschaft im Bereich nachhaltiger Souvenirs. Daraus werden zentrale Handlungsansätze für Destinationen zur Optimierung ihres Souvenirangebots und dessen Vermarktung abgeleitet.
Herausforderungen bei der Gestaltung und Vermarktung eines barrierefreien Tourismus
Authors: Wilken Udo
Published: June 2016

Seit Jahrzehnten gibt es Bemühungen um einen barrierefreien Tourismus für Menschen mit Behinderungen. Allerdings werden die Ergebnisse seitens der Anbieter wie der Gäste häufig als unbefriedigend empfunden, da es sich weithin um ein tabuisiertes, verschwiegenes und begrenztes Marktsegment handelt. Angesichts der Heterogenität der Gästezielgruppen, der Eigeninteressen von Behindertenverbänden und Tourismusorganisationen fühlen sich mittelständischen Unternehmen oftmals überfordert. Deshalb wird eine verstärkte Kooperation der unterschiedlichen Akteure empfohlen, um die strategischen und operativen Herausforderungen im Blick auf eine barrierefreien touristische Willkommenskultur besser zu bewältigen
Nostalgia de Goethe: Alfonso Reyes y sus corresponsales alemanes
Authors: Cajero Vázquez Antonio
Published: June 2016

RESEÑA
Who’s loved in Beloved?
Authors: Villegas Salas Lilia Irlanda
Published: June 2016

En este ensayo se analiza el sustrato literario bíblico de Beloved(1987), de Toni Morrison, que desde el diseño paratextual permiterealizar nuevas interpretaciones históricas y contemporáneassobre el lugar del pueblo afroamericano dentro de la cultura estadounidense. Mediante una lectura detallada y hermenéutica de la novela, el tratamiento literario de la esclavitud en Estados Unidos se resignifica, poniendo énfasis en las crisis éticas que conllevan reposicionamientos comunitarios.
El pensamiento del tiempo trágico
Authors: González Rosales Samuel
Published: June 2016

RESEÑA
INSIGHT Responsive Parenting Intervention and Infant Sleep
Authors: Paul Ian M. , Savage Jennifer S. , Anzman-Frasca Stephanie , Marini Michele E. , Mindell Jodi A. , Birch Leann L.
Published: June 2016

OBJECTIVES:

Inadequate sleep during infancy is associated with adverse outcomes for infants and families. We sought to improve sleep behaviors and duration through a responsive parenting (RP) intervention designed for obesity prevention.

METHODS:

The Intervention Nurses Start Infants Growing on Healthy Trajectories (INSIGHT) study is a randomized trial comparing a RP intervention with a safety control. Primiparous mother-newborn dyads were randomized after childbirth, and research nurses delivered intervention content at home visits at infant ages 3, 16, 28, and 40 weeks and at a research center visit at 1 year. The RP sleep component included developmentally appropriate messages about bedtime routines, sleep location and behaviors, and responses to wakings. Portions of the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire were administered 2, 8, and 52 weeks after birth with expanded sleep-related data collection at 16 and 40 weeks.

RESULTS:

Two hundred and seventy-nine dyads completed the first home visit; 90.7% completed the 1-year visit. Compared with controls, RP group infants were less likely to have prolonged bedtime routines >45 minutes and more likely to have earlier bedtimes at 16 and 40 weeks. They were less likely to be fed immediately before bed and more likely to self-soothe to sleep. At 8, 16, and 40 weeks, RP group nocturnal sleep duration was longer by 35, 25, and 22 minutes, respectively (P < .05 for all). Sleep duration at 1 year was similar between groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

The INSIGHT RP intervention positively influenced developmentally appropriate bedtime routines, sleep-related behaviors, and sleep duration for infants.
Harmonizing Screening for Gambling Problems in Epidemiological Surveys – Development of the Rapid Screener for Problem Gambling (RSPG)
Authors: Challet-Bouju Gaëlle , Perrot Bastien , Romo Lucia , Valleur Marc , Magalon David , Fatséas Mélina , Chéreau-Boudet Isabelle , Luquiens Amandine , _ _ , Grall-Bronnec Marie , Hardouin Jean-Benoit
Published: June 2016

Background and aims

The aim of this study was to test the screening properties of several combinations of items from gambling scales, in order to harmonize screening of gambling problems in epidemiological surveys. The objective was to propose two brief screening tools (three items or less) for a use in interviews and self-administered questionnaires.

Methods

We tested the screening properties of combinations of items from several gambling scales, in a sample of 425 gamblers (301 non-problem gamblers and 124 disordered gamblers). Items tested included interview-based items (Pathological Gambling section of the DSM-IV, lifetime history of problem gambling, monthly expenses in gambling, and abstinence of 1 month or more) and self-report items (South Oaks Gambling Screen, Gambling Attitudes, and Beliefs Survey). The gold standard used was the diagnosis of a gambling disorder according to the DSM-5.

Results

Two versions of the Rapid Screener for Problem Gambling (RSPG) were developed: the RSPG-Interview (RSPG-I), being composed of two interview items (increasing bets and loss of control), and the RSPG-Self-Assessment (RSPG-SA), being composed of three self-report items (chasing, guiltiness, and perceived inability to stop).

Discussion and conclusions

We recommend using the RSPG-SA/I for screening problem gambling in epidemiological surveys, with the version adapted for each purpose (RSPG-I for interview-based surveys and RSPG-SA for self-administered surveys). This first triage of potential problem gamblers must be supplemented by further assessment, as it may overestimate the proportion of problem gamblers. However, a first triage has the great advantage of saving time and energy in large-scale screening for problem gambling.
Down and Out in London: Addictive Behaviors in Homelessness
Authors: Sharman Steve , Dreyer Jenny , Clark Luke , Bowden-Jones Henrietta
Published: June 2016

Backgrounds and aims

Problem gambling occurs at higher levels in the homeless than the general population. Past work has not established the extent to which problem gambling is a cause or consequence of homelessness. This study sought to replicate recent observations of elevated rates of problem gambling in a British homeless sample, and extend that finding by characterizing (a) the temporal sequencing of the effect, (b) relationships with drug and alcohol misuse, and (c) awareness and access of treatment services for gambling by the homeless.

Methods

We recruited 72 participants from homeless centers in Westminster, London, and used the Problem Gambling Severity Index to assess gambling involvement, as well as DSM-IV criteria for substance and alcohol use disorders. A life-events scale was administered to establish the temporal ordering of problem gambling and homelessness.

Results

Problem gambling was evident in 23.6% of the sample. In participants who endorsed any gambling symptomatology, the majority were categorized as problem gamblers. Within those problem gamblers, 82.4% indicated that gambling preceded their homelessness. Participants displayed high rates of substance (31.9%) and alcohol dependence (23.6%); these were not correlated with PGSI scores. Awareness of treatment for gambling was significantly lower than for substance and alcohol use disorders, and actual access of gambling support was minimal.

Discussion and conclusions

Problem gambling is an under-recognized health issue in the homeless. Our observation that gambling typically precedes homelessness strengthens its role as a causal factor. Despite the elevated prevalence rates, awareness and utilization of gambling support opportunities were low compared with services for substance use disorders.
Review of 'The First Word' by Christine Kenneally
Authors: Betty Louis R
Published: June 2016

No abstract (book review)
CYTOKINES GENETIC POLYMORPHISM: THE PAST AND THE FUTURE
Authors: Puzyryova L. V. , Safonov A. D.
Published: June 2016

The molecular genetics opens the new horizons in modern medicine, especially now when many diseases are given huge value in a type of their prevalence among various groups of population. Extremely high interleukin genes polymorphism degrees are studied well especially genetic polymorphism of tumor necrosis factor. Patients with HIV infection in the territory of Russia cause now the highest degree of mortality that is the most actual and socially significant problem of healthcare. This problems studying attracts many researchers. Works in respect of genetic immunity to a virus and influence of cytokines production on the disease forecast are especially interesting. One of the HIV replication influencing factors are cytokines, some of which, including the tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6 can promote replication of HIV, raising an expression of virus regulatory genes. During disease progress in parallel of anti-inflammatory cytokines level increase (causing in this case rather ineffective antibodies level increase) there is an T-helpers suppression stimulating a strong cellular component. Cytokine network functioning during HIV infection depends on many reasons which the individual variation in cytokine production caused by a number of genetic features, as well as an existence of opportunistic infection. Cytokines polymorphism determination in HIV infected patients is necessary in clinical practice for disease progression forecast to adverse fast transition to AIDS that it is important to consider in a choice of tactics of the supporting therapy of HIV-positive patients. Considering insufficient efficiency of modern methods of treatment, restoration and modulation of cytokines balance will increase anti-virus activity of immune system, influencing the factors blocking replication of a HIV.
MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY FEATURES OF HBV/HDV CO-INFECTION IN KYRGYZSTAN
Authors: Semenov A. V. , Ostankova Yu. V. , Nogoybaeva K. A. , Kasymbekova K. T. , Lavrentieva I. N. , Tobokalova S. T. , Totolian Areg A.
Published: June 2016

One of the most serious health problems in the world are hepatotropic viruses that cause chronic liver disease. Hepatitis B virus is distributed globally; around 5% of the carriers are also infected with hepatitis delta virus. Co-infection or superinfection of hepatitis viruses B and D significantly associated with a much more severe liver disease, compared with infection only hepatitis B virus. However, examination of hepatitis virus B carriers for the presence of hepatitis D virus in most regions of the world is not mandatory. It should be noted that the complete genotype mapping of viruses hepatitis B and D isolated on the territory of the CIS and the countries of the former Soviet Union, there is not yet, despite the constantly ongoing works devoted genotyping hepatotropic virus in the territory of the Russian Federation and neighboring countries. Due to the fact that one of the prospective ways of spreading viruses is the “labor migration” the inhabitants of Central Asia in other countries, including the Russian Federation, there is a need to pay attention to the situation of viral hepatitis in the region. The aim of our study was to estimate the prevalence of genetic variants and characteristics of molecular epidemiology of chronic viral hepatitis co-infection B + D in Kyrgyzstan. The study involved 30 plasma samples from patients with chronic viral hepatitis B and D from different regions of Kyrgyzstan. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of the isolates showed that among patients examined HBV identified only D genotype. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of the isolates indicated that among the examined patients with chronic viral hepatitis B revealed only genotype D. It is shown prevalence of HBV subtype D1 (73.34%) compared to the HBV subtype D2 (3.33%) and D3 (23.33%). Revealed HDV genotype I with highly variable region of the gene encoding the delta antigen. The high similarity of some isolates with strains specific to neighboring countries endemic for hepatotropic viruses, as well as a dense clustering of other isolates may be an indication of numerous independent drifts of strains into the territory of the country. Also it can talk about the speed of evolution of the virus in a geographically isolated region as Kyrgyzstan. Identification of the propagation characteristics and endemics role in circulation of genotype of hepatitis B and D is great importance.
INDICES OF IMMUNE RESPONSE IN PATIENTS OF FALCIPARUM MALARIA IN REPUBLIC OF GUINEA
Authors: Boiro M. Y. , Boumbali S. , Konstantinov O. K. , Kalivogui S. , Koulibali M. , Bah A. S.
Published: June 2016

Malaria in the Republic of Guinea is the main cause of morbidity and lethality. It takes the first place in number of all visits in medical service (30–40%) and is the main cause of hospital death. One records annually more than 8 millions malaria cases, and about 60 000 children deaths. Results of study of immune response changing on different disease phases in treatment of autochthon population and immune status of Europeans are presented. It was shown that immunity status (cellular and humoral) in population of Guinea (an endemic country on falciparum malaria) differs from one in Europeans living in tropics. During light forms of malaria one records an increase of T-lymphocyte and IgG number, whereas in grave cases one observed the acute decrease of these indices. The essential increase of B-lymphocyte number does not depends from gravity of disease and from malaria treatment. It was established that appearance of LSA1-41 antibodies was in a more degree in adult patients than in children. The positive correlation between IgM and IgG was established in adult patients as in children.
THE INFLUENCE OF HUMORAL IMMUNITY ANTIENDOTOXIN RESPONSE TO INDICATORS OF SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATION IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS
Authors: Shaduro D. V. , Beloglazov V. A. , Gordienko A. I.
Published: June 2016

Introduction. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) — severe autoimmune disease that has a high level of morbidity and mortality. With each decade the SLE incidence rate grows up. Current researches do not allow to identify the etiology of this disease. The polyclonal stimulation of T and B lymphocytes processes are prevailed in pathogenetic picture of the disease. One of the most powerful triggers of stimulation may be a gram-negative bacteria lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or endotoxin (ET). The impact activity is regulated by a specific humoral and cellular antiendotoxin immune response.Materials and methods. The study group involved 48 patients with SLE, the control group consisted of 40 healthy donors. The material of the study was the venous blood. The following indicators have been identified: the levels of specific anti-endotoxin antibodies (antiLPS IgA, IgM and IgG), by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); concentration of total immunoglobulins IgA, IgM and IgG — microturbidimethric method; the concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) — ELISA; endogenous intoxication (EI) — a method of determining the average molecular weight for the absorption in the ultraviolet spectrum; circulating immune complexes (CIC) — the method of precipitation in polyethylene glycol. Statistical processing was performed using Microsoft Office Excel 2007 software and MedStat®.Results. The study showed a statistically significant increase in anti-LPSIgG SLE patients by 2.5 times compared with the control group. A slight increase in total IgG by 5%. Endogenous intoxication index in SLE patients was higher by 13.9%, CIC by 150%. The level of CRP in the study group was 6.8 times higher compared with the control. There were also identified the inverse correlation between anti-LPS-IgG and CRP, the inverse correlation between anti-LPS-IgG and EI, direct correlation between anti-LPS-IgA and the age of patients.Discussion. These results indicate the presence of dysfunction in the antiendotoxin immune response (AEIR) in SLE patients, namely increasing concentrations of specific anti-LPS-Ig. Identified growth of indicators of systemic inflammation correlated with indicators of AEIR, that confirms their mutual influence, which contributes to the lesion of organ-targets and can aggravate the manifestation and course of SLE. Normalization of AEIR, elimination of LPS may be a new way of treatment for SLE patients
ANALYSIS OF TICKS OF IXODES PERSULCATUS И DERMACENTOR RETICULATUS SPECIES WITH TRANSMISSIBLE DISEASES IN KIROV REGION
Authors: Volkov S. A. , Bessolytsina E. A. , Stolbova F. A. , Darmov I. V.
Published: June 2016

Borreliosis, encephalitis, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis and babesiosis belongs to tick-borne transmissive diseases. These diseases are dangerous for human and animals as well. Moreover, some animals can have no clinical signs of these diseases. These diseases are widely spread across Russian Federation, although only encephalitis and borreliosis (Lyme disease) are being monitored nowadays. At the same time anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis and babesiosis (pyroplasmosis) are not being monitored. Thus a goal of monitoring of these diseases appears. The main vector for these diseases are ticks. Ticks can carry and transmit causative agents of the diseases to domestic and wild animals. Thus a goal of monitoring transmissible diseases in different population of ticks gathered in our country appears. In this study PCR was chose. This method is perspective and is widely used to detect infectious diseases nowadays. Moreover this method allows getting results in quite short period of time. The goal of this work is to determine the presence of causative agents of tick-borne diseases in ticks of different species gathered in different areas of Kirov region in 2010–2015 with the help of PCR. Moreover the goal was to determine if there is a relation between a number of infected ticks and its species. To solve these goal a primers, PCR conditions, method of extraction of total nucleic acid from fixed and alive ticks were engineered. Method of extraction of total nucleic acids allowed with the help of a reverse transcriptase to determine tick-borne encephalitis virus in samples. Analyzed ticks were gathered in Kirov region. It was determined that main vectors in these region are of an Ixodes persulcatus and a Dermacentor reticulatus species. It was prooved that the number of infected ticks can vary in time. It was also proved that there is no significant difference in the number of infected with TBEV and Lyme disease causative agents but there is a significant difference in the number of infected ticks with anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis and babesiosis causative agents.
Metodologias e medidas para a minimização de resíduos em uma indústria moveleira
Authors: Lopes Thiara Reis , Fritsch Sheila Aparecida , Mees Juliana Bortoli Rodrigues
Published: June 2016

Este estudo foi desenvolvido em uma indústria moveleira localizada no oeste do estado do Paraná, apresenta a aplicação de metodologias para priorização e minimização de resíduos propostas pela epa, sob o enfoque do controle na fonte e reciclagem interna. Foram identificados os resíduos prioritários de acordo com o número de prioridade (N.P.), e selecionados os dez primeiros itens para a proposição das medidas entre eles, o efluente resina uréia-formol, o pó e serragem de MDF, os restos de solvente, tintas e pigmentos, os restos de colas e a sucata de latas de alumínio. As alternativas propostas contemplam a aplicação de boas práticas operacionais, o reúso, a reciclagem interna, e a fabricação de novos produtos. Essas proposições pretendem contribuir para melhorias da organização do sistema produtivo e o desempenho industrial, o que possibilita tornar o processo produtivo menos agressivo ao meio ambiente, sob a perspectiva de uma melhoria na imagem da empresa perante aos seus colaboradores e clientes, bem como, valorizar essas atividades que podem propiciar o aumento da lucratividade e reduzir o consumo de recursos naturais.
Análise dos formulários de satisfação dos clientes de uma empresa do setor tecnológico a luz dos conceitos da usabilidade
Authors: Agnes Jéssica Andréia , Chaves Rafael , Kipper Liane Mahlmann
Published: June 2016

Nos dias atuais o desenvolvimento de produto é um assunto que exige um conjunto de procedimentos e ferramentas extenso para um funcionamento de acordo com as exigências do mercado. Para desenvolver um produto com qualidade é importante conhecer a usabilidade do produto do ponto de vista dos clientes. Pensando nisso foi feito uma pesquisa sobre as questões utilizadas no questionário para análise do nível de satisfação dos clientes referente a um produto desenvolvido numa empresa do ramo tecnológico. Assim o presente artigo tem como objetivo avaliar se um questionário de satisfação de clientes pode apresentar informações para estimar a usabilidade de um produto e se outros componentes da qualidade, definidos por Nielsen [1] estão presentes nas avaliações da organização estudada. A pesquisa tem caráter exploratório e ressalta conceitos de usabilidade visando à satisfação dos clientes. Dos principais resultados encontrados até o momento pode-se identificar que os problemas na relação empresa/cliente estão relacionados à análise parcial dos componentes da qualidade de um produto. O trabalho sugere o desenvolvimento e acréscimos de perguntas que promovam a avaliação dos outros componentes da qualidade buscando uma maior assertividade no desenvolvimento de produtos.
Desempenho de leitões desmamados alimentados com dietas contendo plasma spray dried
Authors: Budinõ Fábio Enrique Lemos , Monferdini Renato Pacheco , Sitanaka Natália Yoko , Ferracioli Léticia Barbosa , Moraes José Evandro de , Castro Alessandra Marnie Martins Gomes de , Castro Júnior Fernando Gomes de
Published: June 2016

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do plasma spray dried (PSD) sobre o desempenho e incidência de diarreia em leitões desmamados precocemente. Foram utilizados 56 leitões, homogêneos quanto à linhagem, com aproximadamente 3,87±0,65kg de peso vivo e idade aproximada de 14 dias. Foram testados quatro níveis de inclusão de PSD em dietas de leitões em dois períodos consecutivos, 14 a 28 dias de idade (período 1), e 29 a 42 dias de idade (período 2). Os níveis de PSD utilizados foram de 0%, 2%, 4% e 6% para o período 1 e de 0%, 1%, 2% e 3% para o período 2. No período 3 (42 aos 56 dias de idade) todos os leitões foram alimentados com dieta isenta de PSD. O desempenho dos leitões foi avaliado através de pesagens quinzenais e no último dia do ensaio, quando a idade do lote foi igual a 56 dias. As variáveis analisadas foram o consumo diário de ração, ganho diário de peso e conversão alimentar. Não houve diferença estatística (P<0,05) entre os tratamentos para as variáveis estudadas de consumo alimentar, ganho de peso e conversão alimentar. A utilização do PSD na dieta não influenciou o desempenho de leitões desmamados precocemente.
Effects of supplementation with protected polyunsaturated fatty acids on productive and hormonal parameters of embryo recipient heifers
Authors: Cardona Juan Camilo Angel , Patino Harold Ospina , Hernandez Mônica Marcela Ramirez , Pereira Carolina Heller , Swanson Kendall
Published: June 2016

Supplementation with protected polyunsaturated fatty acids (PPUFA) has positive effects on cow reproduction. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of adding a source of PPUFA to energy supplements for embryo recipient heifers on productive performance and plasma concentrations of progesterone, cholesterol and insulin. For this purpose, 44 Angus x Hereford embryo recipient heifers (average body weight = 385 kg) raised on pasture were studied in a completely randomized design. The effects of PPUFA added to isocaloric energy supplements for 60 days on production parameters and serum concentrations of cholesterol, progesterone and insulin were evaluated. The treatments consisted of individual supplementation with: 1) control (no supplement); 2) corn (corn, 70%; soybean meal, 30%); 3) PPUFA supplement (Megalac-E®, 30%; soybean meal, 20%; commercial ration, 50%). The treatments did not affect (P>0.05) dry matter intake, pregnancy rates, or serum insulin concentration. However, PPUFA supplement increased (P<0.05) serum cholesterol and progesterone concentrations when compared to the other treatments. Despite the lack of a difference (P>0.05) in dry matter intake between treatments, PPUFA supplement increased (P<0.05) average daily gain compared to the control and corn treatments. The inclusion of PPUFA in energy supplements offered to heifers used in an embryo transfer program increased average daily gain and serum concentrations of cholesterol and progesterone, but did not affect pregnancy rates.