bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A critique of grading: Policies, practices, and technical matters
Authors: Anderson Lorin W. 
Published: April 2018

In recent years there was been a raft of criticisms of the way that grades (or marks) are assigned to students. The purpose of this paper is to examine the strengths and weaknesses of grading systems and grading practices, drawing upon both historical and contemporary research and writing. Five questions are used to frame the review and organize the paper. They are: (1) Why do we grade students? (2) What do grades mean? (3) How reliable are students’ grades? (4) How valid are students’ grades? and (5) What are the consequences of grading students? The results suggest that (1) The are several purposes for grading students; the way that grades are assigned and reported should be consistent with the specified purpose. (2) Grades mean different things to different people (including the teachers who assign them). (3) Grades on a single task (e.g., a test or project, a homework assignment) are quite unreliable, whereas cumulative grades (that is, those based on several data sources) are reasonably reliable. (4) The validity of grades on a single task is virtually impossible to determine; however, the evidence suggests that cumulative grades are reasonably valid. (5) Grades influence a variety of student affective characteristics (e.g., self-esteem). However, their influence is no greater, nor less than, a host of other school-related factors.
Evaluation of teachers of basic education: Political tensions and radical oppositions
Authors: De Ibarrola Maria 
Published: April 2018

This paper focuses upon the enactment and implementation of a National Educational Reform in Mexico, which introduced competitive examinations for teachers entering the newly established Professional Teaching Service of the National Educational System, and compulsory evaluation of all teachers in active service for promotion and tenure. The analysis describes the (1) aims and intentions of the Reform, (2) the force and errors in its implementation, (3) the opposition of a radical wing of the National Union of Educational Workers, and (4) the social turmoil this confrontation has caused. A theoretical basis for a political analysis of educational reform is provided, one that includes an understanding of the political nature of the reforms, the distinction between design and implementation, and the use of different categories to provide a solid analytical framework. It is important to understand the actors of the opposing forces, the aims they pursue, the rationale of their arguments, and the nature of their power.
Chronic granulomatous disease due to different mutations in patients from the same consanguineous extended family
Authors: Broides Arnon , Gavrieli Ronit , Levy Jacov , Levy Rachel , Hadad Nurit , Roos Dirk , Wolach Baruch , Nahum Amit 
Published: April 2018

Chronic granulomatous disease is a primary immunodeficiency disease caused by a genetic mutation in any of the 5 genes encoding the different components of the Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate reduced (NADPH)-Oxidase enzyme complex. Since primary immunodeficiency diseases are considered to be rare diseases, the genetic diagnosis of a certain primary immunodeficiency leads to the reasonable assumption that all patients with the same disease within the same family will have the same genetic mutation. We report 2 patients with chronic granulomatous disease from the same extended consanguineous family who had different genetic causes of their disease. Therefore, it is crucial to obtain a definitive genetic diagnosis of primary immunodeficiency disease even in patients from the same family, where the same genetic diagnosis is presumed to be the cause of the disease. Statement of novelty: Genetic causes of chronic granulomatous disease may be different in patients from the same family.
Competitiveness of Family Tourist Micro-Enterprises as an Element of Tourist Destination Product
Authors: Dębski Maciej , Krawczyk Adriana 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Objective: Tourist regions are characterized by a very high complexity and micro-enterprises are the largest group of entities which determine the competitiveness of the destination. However, management of such businesses has a strong specificity. The goal of this paper is to identify the capabilities of managing competitiveness and marketing of this group of entities.

Methodology: Literature review, examining and discussing the current knowledge regarding the competitiveness of family tourist micro-enterprises.

Findings: On the one hand, small companies have significant limitations compared to larger companies. However, the family nature of the company allows for high flexibility of management. Decisions can usually be made faster and easier, which means that they are able to adapt their offer to the expectations of customers faster and better than large entities. Also, an atmosphere of hospitality and friendship can be easily created. What is more, cooperation with other local entities should result in the ability to offer higher value to consumers.

Value Added: Authors, on the bases of literature review have proposed a model that shows relations as an element of building competitiveness of a family tourist micro-enterprises. It appears that these firms have unique opportunities to develop relationships with their customers. Cooperation, quality and communication have been described as key variables responsible for this process, that should result in generating the benefits of re-selecting the services of the company as well as giving them positive recommendations.

Recommendations: In the area of family businesses in tourism, there is still lack of empirical studies. That is why, the issues presented in this work should be subjected to empirical verification. Future research should concentrate on the specificity of managing a tourist family micro-enterprise and on possible sources of competitive advantage of a tourist family micro-enterprise in the eyes of customers. Especially, described model should be empirically verified.
Bone mineral density comparison of adolescents with constitutional thinness and anorexia nervosa
Authors: Pehlivantürk Kızılkan Melis , Akgül Sinem , Derman Orhan , Kanbur Nuray 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackground:The negative impact of anorexia nervosa (AN) on bone health is well defined. However, there are very few studies evaluating the effect of constitutional thinness on bone health, especially in the adolescent period and in the male gender. The aim of this study is to compare the bone mineral density (BMD) measurements of adolescents with AN and with constitutional thinness.Methods:Between April 2013 and March 2014, 40 adolescents with AN and 36 adolescents with constitutional thinness participated in the study. The femoral neck and lumbar spine BMD were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).Results:Mean lumbar z and BMD scores of adolescents with constitutional thinness were significantly lower than in adolescents with AN, whereas the mean femoral z and BMD scores were not significantly different. When males were compared separately, lumbar z and BMD values of the constitutionally thin group were found to be significantly lower than in the AN group. This difference was not significant for females.Conclusions:The difference between the male and female results of our study suggested two hypotheses. The significantly lower BMD values in constitutionally thin boys are attributed to their longer duration of low body mass index (BMI). Although the duration of low BMI is also longer for constitutionally thin girls, similar BMD values of AN and constitutionally thin female groups are attributed to the additional negative impact of estrogen deficiency on the bone health of girls with AN.
Preliminary investigations on reducing the high radiation risk level of TENORM scale waste from petroleum industry
Authors: Attallah Mohamed F. , Hilal Moustafa A. , Mohamed Yasser T. 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
The main objective of this study is directed to remove 226Ra, 228Ra radionuclides from TENORM scale waste without seriously degradation the physicochemical characteristics of soils or generating waste. It was found that 82, 87% removal of total radioactivity using successive washing by commercial and TX-100 solutions, respectively, after seven cycles. Some radiation risk before and after treatment with surfactants were determined. It is a promising and efficient as well as economic process. Our results from this task could provide a useful information for defining the establishing and operating on a pilot-scale plant for efficient and economic TENORM treatment.
Model Predictive Control and Controller Parameter Optimisation of Combustion Instabilities
Authors: Yazar I. , Caliskan F. , Vepa R. 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
In this paper the application of model predictive control (MPC) to a two-mode model of the dynamics of the combustion process is considered. It is shown that the MPC by itself does not stabilize the combustor and the control gains obtained by applying the MPC algorithms need to be optimized further to ensure that the phase difference between the two modes is also stable. The results of applying the algorithm are compared with the open loop model amplitude responses and to the closed loop responses obtained by the application of a direct adaptive control algorithm. It is shown that the MPC coupled with the cost parameter optimisation proposed in the paper, always guarantees the closed loop stability, a feature that may not always be possible with an adaptive implementations.
Effects of Different Footwear Properties and Surface Instability on Neuromuscular Activity and Kinematics During Jumping
Authors: Lesinski Melanie , Prieske Olaf , Borde Ron , Beurskens Rainer , Granacher Urs 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Lesinski, M, Prieske, O, Borde, R, Beurskens, R, and Granacher, U. Effects of different footwear properties and surface instability on neuromuscular activity and kinematics during jumping. J Strength Cond Res 32(11): 3246–3257, 2018—The purpose of this study was to examine sex-specific effects of different footwear properties vs. barefoot condition during the performance of drop jumps (DJs) on stable and unstable surfaces on measures of jump performance, electromyographic (EMG) activity, and knee joint kinematics. Drop jump performance, EMG activity of lower-extremity muscles, as well as sagittal and frontal knee joint kinematics were tested in 28 healthy male (n = 14) and female (n = 14) physically active sports science students (23 ± 2 years) during the performance of DJs on stable and unstable surfaces using different footwear properties (elastic vs. minimal shoes) vs. barefoot condition. Analysis revealed a significantly lower jump height and performance index (Δ7–12%; p < 0.001; 2.22 ≤ d = 2.90) during DJs on unstable compared with stable surfaces. This was accompanied by lower thigh/shank muscle activities (Δ11–28%; p < 0.05; 0.99 ≤ d = 2.16) and knee flexion angles (Δ5–8%; p < 0.05; 1.02 ≤ d = 2.09). Furthermore, knee valgus angles during DJs were significantly lower when wearing shoes compared with barefoot condition (Δ22–32%; p < 0.01; 1.38 ≤ d = 3.31). Sex-specific analyses indicated higher knee flexion angles in females compared with males during DJs, irrespective of the examined surface and footwear conditions (Δ29%; p < 0.05; d = 0.92). Finally, hardly any significant footwear-surface interactions were detected. Our findings revealed that surface instability had an impact on DJ performance, thigh/shank muscle activity, and knee joint kinematics. In addition, the single factors “footwear” and “sex” modulated knee joint kinematics during DJs. However, hardly any significant interaction effects were found. Thus, additional footwear-related effects can be neglected when performing DJs during training on different surfaces.
The role of neuro-specific dihydropyrimidinase-related protein 2 (dpyl2) in spatial memory formation in teleosts
Authors: Garina D. V. , Bol’shakov V. V. , Toropygin I. Y. , Mekhtiev A. A. , Andreeva A. M. 
Published: April 2018

This article presents the results of an experiment on the influence of serotonin-modulating anticonsolidation protein (SMAP) on the spatial memory formation of juvenile goldfish Carassius auratus (L.) in a maze with food reinforcement. Three experimental fish groups were formed: (1) intact animals, (2) experimental group (fish injected ICV with SMAP in 24 h before the beginning of training; 2 μl, 1.5 mg·ml–1), (3) active control group (fish injected ICV with inactivated SMAP). Goldfishes of the experimental group demonstrated the lowest capability for spatial recognition: the maximum level of performance of the task was on 4th day of the training – 38%, while the values of this index in fishes of the control and intact groups were 70% and 63% respectively. In general, throughout the period of the training the average value of task performance was 16% in the SMAP-injected fish (in the control and intact groups – 42% and 53%, respectively). By using Ds-Na-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis SMAP compositeon has been revealed. It was found that it consists of 10–12 protein components, among which four proteins dominated. They were identified by mass spectrometry MALDI-TOF: spectrin, dihydropyrimidinase-related protein 2 (DPYL2), tubulin and actin. It has been suggested that the most likely candidate responsible for the negative effects of SMAP on fish memory formation is DPYL2. It was hypothesized that anticonsolidation effect of SMAP is caused by the effect of DPYL2 which blocks the growth of axons or its cytostatic activity which leads to disorders in formation of new neurons in the brain as a result of learning.
Content of chemical elements in the liver of cattle with fasciolosis and dicrocoeliosis
Authors: Kruchynenko O. V. , Prus M. P. , Galat M. V. , Mykhailiutenko S. M. , Klymenko O. S. , Kuzmenko L. M. 
Published: April 2018

The concentration of chemical ements (Pb, Cd, Cu, As, Zn, Hg, Fe, Co, Mn) in the liver of healthy cattle and those affected by Fasciola hepatica and Dicrocoelium lanceatum in Poltava region (central part of Ukraine) was determined. The research was carried out by the method of atomic and absorption spectrometry carried out at the Regional State Laboratory of Veterinary Medicine in Poltava region. The liver samples (n = 30) from healthy cattle black-and-white breed and those affected by F. hepatica and D. lanceatum were taken at the meat processing plant. The ages of the cattle ranged from 6 to 8 years. The samples were immediately cooled, transported to the laboratory and stored at –20 °C for further analysis. The results of the research determined the average indicators of concentration of some toxic elements in the livers of healthy cattle and those infected by the trematodes. The content of chemical elements in the liver of healthy animals and those affected by fasciola can be represented in the form of a decreasing rank number: Zn > Fe > Cu, and for dicrocoeliosis, respectively, Fe > Zn > Cu. It has been established that Cu and Zn are involved in the metabolic processes of the body of trematodes, which is confirmed by our research. The presence of F. hepatica and D. lanceatum in the body of cattle significantly reduces the level of copper and zinc, with a high inverse correlation dependence on the intensity of infection, thus indicating the possibility of their accumulation by helminths. Concentration of Cu and Zn in the liver of cattle with fasciolosis was 6.82 ± 0.29 and 35.77 ± 1.93 mg/kg, while for animals with dicrocoeliosis it was 3.90 ± 0.25 and 41.91 ± 2.22 mg/kg. The content of cobalt and manganese in the liver of healthy animals was, respectively, 0.05 ± 0.01 and 1.95 ± 0.06 mg/kg. In the case of Fasciola parasitising in the liver tissue, the level of cobalt (0.10 ± 0.02) and manganese (2.55 ± 0.16) significantly increased, positively correlating with the intensity of the infection, indicating no effect on the exchange and bioaccumulation of these elements by helminths.
Strains of lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditional Carpathian cheeses
Authors: Slyvka I. M. , Tsisaryk O. Y. , Dronyk G. V. , Musiy L. Y. 
Published: April 2018

Traditional national fermented products and cheeses are a source for the search for species and strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) which are not within the range of bacterial agents used in the dairy industry. Classical and modern genetic-molecular methods are used to identify LAB isolated from such products. The purpose of our work was isolation and identification of LAB from traditional Carpathian cheeses made from ewe's milk and the study of their technological properties. Three samples of cheese were selected for our research – one sample of brine cheese bryndza and one sample of budz (bryndza before salting), produced in the highlands of the Carpathians and one sample of buts, produced in the foothills zone. 106 cultures were isolated from the samples of cheese. Genus and species identification was completed using classical microbiological and molecular genetics methods. Based on the complex of tinctorial, cultural, physiological and biochemical indices, the LAB isolated were assigned to the following genera and species: Lactococcus spp. (26 cultures), including L. lactis (13 cultures) and L. garvieae (13 cultures); Lactobacillus spp. – L. plantarum (31 cultures); Enterococcus spp. – E. faecium (25 cultures); Leuconostoc spp. – L. mesenteroides (24 cultures). These results were confirmed by molecular genetics methods. The largest range of species was found in a sample of bryndza from the Carpathian highlands. The isolated cultures were studied according to technological properties – milk-coagulation activity, acid-forming ability and resistance to different concentrations of kitchen salt. Most strains of L. lactis ssp. lactis, L. plantarum and L. mesenteroides were active acid-forming agents and coagulated milk in 3–9 hours, while L. garvieae and E. faecium coagulated milk after more than 24 hours. More than 80% of cultures showed resistance to 4% of kitchen salt solution, E. faecium was observed to have the highest salt tolerance. The results of RAPD typing showed significant intra-species heterogeneity, which indicates the need for further research on identification of individual strains. In all samples of cheese, L. lactis, L. garvieae, E. faecium were detected, which shows that they are typical representatives within the traditional Carpathian bryndza. Particular attention was paid to E. faecium, as many researchers have indicated probiotic properties of individual strains, as well as the ability to synthesize volatile substances that enrich the flavor bouquet of cheeses. Today strains of E. faecium are involved in the bacterial composition of starter cultures for cheeses.
Strains of soil microorganisms promising for the creation of a complex plant protection product against mycoses and harmful insects
Authors: Drehval O. A. , Dreus A. A. , Cherevach N. V. , Sklyar T. V. 
Published: April 2018

We evaluated the antagonistic activity of 23 strains of Bacillus spр. against phytopathogenic fungi Fusarium oxysporum, F. culmorum, F. moniliforme, Cladosporium herbarum, Alternaria alternata and Aspergillus niger. The antagonistic activity was tested by agar diffusion (the method of blocks). For determining the influence of bacteria on barley plants , ardent seeds were treated by cultural liquid (dilution 1 : 10) for 2 hours and germinated in Petri dishes on moist filter paper. The fungistatic effect of Bacillus sрp. separately and in combination with entomopathogens (in equal ratio) was determined by the level of inhibition of the fungi Fusarium spp. on a solid nutrient medium with 5% of the culture liquid. Insecticidal activity of microorganisms was determined in the model experiments by the percentage of death of the caterpillar Archips podana Scop. Strains of Bacillus sp. KMB-3 and Bacillus sp. KMB-6 inhibited the growth of all test cultures (zones of growth inhibition 11.4–30.6 and 11.5–29.4 mm, respectively). We established the absence of antagonism between selected strains and entomopathogenic bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis IMB-7186, fungi Beauveria bassiana IMB-F-100043. We found that treatment of barley seeds with culture liquids of Bacillus sp. KMB-3 and Bacillus sp. KMB-6 didn’t have a negative effect on the morphometric indices and dry weight of seedlings. We established that the highest percentage of growth inhibition of F. culmorum IMB-F-50716 was provided by a complex of Bacillus sp. KMB-3, B. bassiana IMB-F-100043 and B. thuringiensis IMB-7186, whose action was at the same level as the action of monoculture Bacillus sp. KMB-3 (85.4% and 84.7%, respectively). The highest percentage inhibition of growth of F. oxysporum ІМВ-F-54201 was provided by a complex of strains of Bacillus sp. KMB-3 and B. bassiana IMB-F-100043, whose effect was slightly inferior to that of the monoculture Bacillus sp. KMB-3 (68.4% and 75.1%, respectively). The insecticidal activity of complexes Bacillus sp. KMB-3, B. bassiana IMB-F-100043, B. thuringiensis IMB-7186 or Bacillus sp. KMB-6, B. bassiana IMB-F-100043, B. thuringiensis IMB-7186 insignificantly differed from that of the complex entomopathogens B. bassiana IMB-F-100043 and B. thuringiensis IMB-7186 (71.1%, 73.3% death versus 80.0%). The selected microbial complexes can be considered as promising for the development of a preparation for the protection of plants against fungal diseases and harmful insects.
The kinetic properties of arginase in sperm cells of inferile men
Authors: Fafula R. V. , Iefremova U. P. , Onufrovych O. K. , Maksymyuk H. V. , Vorobets D. Z. , Vorobets Z. D. 
Published: April 2018

Nowadays the role of NO in the development of male infertility is actively studied. Arginase (EC 3.5.3.1) is a manganese metalloenzyme which converts L-arginine to L-ornithine and urea and reciprocally regulates NO production. Although arginase activity has usually been detected in the reproductive tract, including spermatozoa, no data relating to the kinetic properties of the enzyme in ejaculated spermatozoa has been reported. This study was designed to study the kinetic parameters of arginase of spermatozoa of infertile men. Spermatozoa arginase activity was measured by determining levels of urea production. Kinetic analysis of the enzyme reaction was performed in a standard incubation system with modified physical and chemical characteristics or the respective components (the substrate concentration, Mn2+ concentration, incubation time and protein content). Pathobiochemical and kinetic properties of sperm arginase obtained from human normozoo- and pathospermic samples were compared. The maximum rate of L-arginine hydrolysis (detrermined by L-arginine) for arginase of spermatozoa obtained from men with preserved fertility was 2.0, 1.8 and 1.9 times greater than this value for oligo-, astheno- and oligoasthenozoospermic samples respectively. However, affinity constants for L-arginine was not significantly different between fertile and infertile men. The maximum rate of L-arginine hydrolysis (deretmined by Mn2+) for arginase of spermatozoa obtained from men with preserved fertility was 1.6, 1.7 and 1.7 times greater than this value for oligo-, astheno- and oligoasthenozoospermic samples respectively. However, affinity constants for Mn2+ were not significantly different between fertile and infertile men. In the whole range of time, the urea production by arginase in sperm cells obtained from oligozoospermic samples is much lower compared to value in healthy donors. The results of kinetic analysis indicate that urea production by arginase is much more intense in the control group than in patients with various forms of pathospermia. The initial (instantaneous) reaction rate of arginase reaction was lower for oligozoospermic samples compared to normozoospermic samples. It has been found that inhibition of arginase activity in sperm cells of infertile men occurs by non-competitive type and was related to marked decrease in maximum reaction rate while affinity of arginase to L-arginine and Mn2+ was unaffected.