bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The teaching of cartography and topography in the Polish primary school
Authors: Słomska Katarzyna , Korycka-Skorupa Jolanta 
Published: June 2016

Abstract
The authors present a content analysis of the selected textbooks for teaching the natural science in the Polish primary school in the scope of cartography and topography. Two series of textbooks edited by the Nowa Era publishing house and approved by the Ministry of National Education are used by the authors. The main aim of this analysis is to determine whether the textbooks meet the requirements of the new core curriculum. The psychological aspects that may cause the difficulties in learning the natural science for students of grades 4 through 6 of the primary school are also discussed.
The contents of textbooks are absorbed by the students in varying degrees. It is important, therefore, to take into account the psychological aspects of the students’ learning process and draw attention to the difficulties that may arise in the course of grade 4–6 instruction. Among them there are, inter alia, the difficulties in using a map scale, some problems with imagining the actual distances and areas, a height above the sea level and the relative heights, as well as the issues related to the students’ abilities to read a drawing of contour lines.
In the process of natural science education in the primary school, it is very important to develop the children’s abstract thinking, which causes the stimulation of their spatial imagination. The various types of teaching aids, which can be helpful for the both groups, as for the teachers, so for the students, are discussed in this article. These are the atlases, models, interactive teaching aids, books and educational games.
The analysis introduced in this article allows for a critical evaluation of the textbooks for primary school from the point of view of their content complacencies on cartography and topography with the new core curriculum.
Teaching the bases of cartography and topography from an early age is very important, but developing the ability to use a map requires the continuous exercises. Working with a map helps to develop not only the practical skills, but also the students’ attitudes having a positive impact on the development of such qualities as conscientiousness, accuracy and patience; it also has an invaluable impact on the students’ spatial imagination.
A certain sequence of functions involving the Aleph function
Authors: Agarwal P. , Chand M. , Onur Kiymaz İ. , Çetinkaya A. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractSequences of functions play an important role in approximation theory. In this paper, we aim to establish a (presumably new) sequence of functions involving the Aleph function by using operational techniques. Some generating relations and finite summation formulas of the sequence presented here are also considered.
Charmed hadron photoproduction at COMPASS
Authors: Wang Xiao-Yun , Guskov Alexey 
Published: July 2016

Abstract
Photoproduction of the charmonium-like state Zc
(4200) and the charmed baryon

Λ
c
*

$\it\Lambda _c^*$

(2940) is investigated with an effective Lagrangian approach and the Regge trajectories applying to the COMPASS experiment. Combining the experimental data from COMPASS and our theoretical model we estimate the upper limit of ΓZc
(4200)→J/ψπ to be of about 37 MeV. Moreover, the possibility to produce

Λ
c
*

$\it\Lambda _c^*$

(2940) at COMPASS is discussed. It seems one can try to search for this hadron in the missing mass spectrum since the t-channel is dominating for the

Λ
c
*

$\it\Lambda _c^*$

(2940) photoproduction.
Landscape transformation under the Gåsbreen glacier recession since 1899, southwestern Spitsbergen
Authors: Ziaja Wiesław , Dudek Justyna , Ostafin Krzysztof 
Published: June 2016

Abstract
Landscape changes of the Gåsbreen glacier and its vicinity since 1899 are described. Maps at 1:50 000 scale of changes of the glacier’s elevation and extent for the periods 1938–1961, 1961–1990, 1990–2010, and 1938–2010 are analyzed in comparison with results of the authors’ field work in the summer seasons 1983, 1984, 2000, 2005 and 2008. During all the 20th century, the progressive recession of the glacier revealed in a dramatic decrease in the thickness of its lower part, with a small reduction of its area and length. However, further shrinkage produced significant shortening and reduction in area which resulted in final decline of the Goësvatnet glacial dammed lake in 2002. Hence, the lowest (and very thick, up to 150–160 m) part of the former glacier tongue and dammed lake were transformed into a new terraced river valley south of the glacier and a typical marginal zone with glacial landforms north of the glacier. Since 1961, the equilibrium line altitude of the Gåsbreen glacier has risen from ca 350 to ca 500 m a.s.l. and now is located below the very steep rocky walls of the Mehesten mountain ridge, 1378 m a.s.l. Hence, the glacier is being fed by snow avalanches from these rocky walls and much more snow melts during the warmer summer seasons, stimulating a quicker recession of the lowest part of the glacier. This recession may be stopped only by significant climate cooling or increase in snow.
Modelling of the thermal regime of permafrost during 1990–2014 in Hornsund, Svalbard
Authors: Wawrzyniak Tomasz , Osuch Marzena , Napiórkowski Jarosław , Westermann Sebastian 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe thermal state of permafrost is a crucial indicator of environmental changes occurring in the Arctic. The monitoring of ground temperatures in Svalbard has been carried out in instrumented boreholes, although only few are deeper than 10 m and none are located in southern part of Spitsbergen. Only one of them, Janssonhaugen, located in central part of the island, provides the ground temperature data down to 100 m. Recent studies have proved that significant warming of the ground surface temperatures, observed especially in the last three decades, can be detected not only just few meters below the surface, but reaches much deeper layers. The aim of this paper is evaluation of the permafrost state in the vicinity of the Polish Polar Station in Hornsund using the numerical heat transfer model CryoGrid 2. The model is calibrated with ground temperature data collected from a 2 m deep borehole established in 2013 and then validated with data from the period 1990–2014 from five depths up to 1 m, measured routinely at the Hornsund meteorological station. The study estimates modelled ground thermal profile down to 100 m in depth and presents the evolution of the ground thermal regime in the last 25 years. The simulated subsurface temperature trumpet shows that multiannual variability in that period can reach 25 m in depth. The changes of the ground thermal regime correspond to an increasing trend of air temperatures observed in Hornsund and general warming across Svalbard.
Female sporogenesis in the native Antarctic grass Deschampsia antarctica Desv.
Authors: Domaciuk Marcin , Leszczuk Agata , Szczuka Ewa , Kellmann-Sopyła Wioleta , Koc Justyna , Giełwanowska Irena 
Published: June 2016

Abstract
The development of megasporocytes and the functional megaspore formation in Deschampsia antarctica were analyzed with the use of microscopic methods. A single archesporial cell was formed directly under the epidermis in the micropylar region of the ovule without producing a parietal cell. In successive stages of development, the meiocyte was transformed into a megaspore tetrad after meiosis. Most megaspores were arranged in a linear fashion, but some tetrads were T-shaped. Only one of the 60 analyzed ovules contained a cell in the direct proximity of the megasporocyte, which could be an aposporous initial. Most of the evaluated D. antarctica ovules featured monosporic embryo sacs of the Polygonum type. Approximately 30% of ovules contained numerous megaspores that were enlarged. The megaspores were located at chalazal and micropylar poles, and some ovules featured two megaspores – terminal and medial – in the chalazal region, or even three megaspores at the chalazal pole. In those cases, the micropylar megaspore was significantly smaller than the remaining megaspores, and it did not have the characteristic features of functional megaspores. Meiocytes and megaspores of D. antarctica contained polysaccharides that were detectable by PAS-reaction and aniline blue staining. Starch granules and cell walls of megasporocytes, megaspores and nucellar cells were PAS-positive. Fluorescent callose deposits were identified in the micropylar end of the megasporocytes. During meiosis and after its completion, thick callose deposits were also visible in the periclinal walls and in a small amount in the anticlinal walls of megaspores forming linear and T-shaped tetrads. Callose deposits fluorescence was not observed in the walls of the nucellar cells.
Adsorption of volatile polonium species on metals in various gas atmospheres: Part II – Adsorption of volatile polonium on platinum, silver and palladium
Authors: Maugeri Emilio Andrea , Neuhausen Jörg , Misiak Ryszard , Eichler Robert , Dressler Rugard , Piguet David , Vögele Alexander , Schumann Dorothea 
Published: July 2016

Abstract
This work presents the results obtained from studying the interaction between polonium compounds formed in different atmospheres and platinum, palladium and silver surfaces obtained by thermochromatography. These results are of crucial importance for the design of cover gas filter systems for lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE)-based nuclear facilities such as accelerator driven systems (ADS). The results obtained from studying the interaction of polonium and platinum under inert atmosphere and reducing atmospheres with and without addition of moisture show that polonium is deposited at temperatures between 993 and 1221 K, with adsorption enthalpies ranging from –235 to –291 kJ mol−1, indicating a very strong adsorption of the polonium species present on platinum surfaces. The interaction between polonium and silver was investigated using purified inert, reducing and oxidizing carrier gases. Results show a deposition temperature between 867 and 990 K, with adsorption enthalpies ranging from –205 to –234 kJ mol−1. The interaction of polonium and palladium was studied in purified helium and purified hydrogen. For both conditions a deposition temperature of 1221 K was observed corresponding to an adsorption enthalpy of –340 kJ mol−1. No highly volatile polonium species was formed at any of the applied experimental conditions.
HbA1c as a Predictor of Dyslipidemia in Algerian Type 2 Diabetic Patients
Authors: Laissaoui Aicha , Allem Rachida , Azzoug Said , Yahiaoui Ibrahim , Belouazni Ahmed 
Published: June 2016

Abstract

Background and Aims: The aim of our study was to test whether HbA1c can serve as a predictor of dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetic patients.

Materials and Methods: 450 type 2 diabetic patients (165 males, 285 females), mean age of 58.7±9.9 years were included in this study. Venous blood samples were collected from all patients; serum was analyzed for HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein-C (LDL-C). LDL-C/HDL-C and TC/HDL-C risk ratio were also calculated. For the data evaluation, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and independent samples t-test were used. Statistical significance was defined by a probability level of p < 0.05.

Results: 399 (88.66%) of our patients had dyslipidemia. Low HDL-C was the most common form of dyslipidemia, observed in 311 patients (69.11%). Hypertriglyceridemia was found in 184 (40.88%) and elevated LDL-C in 229 (50.88%) patients. Values of HbA1c >7.0 % showed significant correlation with TC, LDL-C, TG, LDL-C/HDL-C and TC/HDL-C risk ratio, as compared to patients with HbA1c ≤ 7.0% (p<0.05 for all). HDL-C levels didn’t differ between the two groups (p= 0.322).

Conclusions: The study suggests the usefulness of HbA1c as a predictor of dyslipidemia for screening of type 2 diabetic patients at high risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Assessment of Nerve Conduction Study and Electroencephalogram Abnormalities in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Abass Farah N. , Abdul-Atheem Moshtak , Aswad Hanan F. 
Published: June 2016

Abstract

Background and aims: This study aims to evaluate the electroencephalographic and nerve conduction changes in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with and without peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and to investigate the relationship with other variables such as age, gender, duration of the diabetes and the degree of metabolic control.

Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional study, including 100 patients with T2DM and 100 control subjects, aged 34 to 77 years. All patients enrolled in the study were subjected to full assessment, including: history, biochemical and electrophysiological tests.

Results: The study found that patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in comparison to patients without DPN and control subjects were older, had longer duration of diabetes and poorer glycemic control reflected by fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin. The electrophysiological findings showed that patients with DPN have significant differences in nerve conduction study (NCS) parameters when compared to patients without DPN and control subjects in the form of axonal degeneration and demyelination. They also had abnormalities of the electroencephalogram (EEG) which are correlated with nerve conduction study severity.

Conclusion: Routine NCS is an important method for evaluating DPN. Investigating sensory nerves of lower limbs is helpful in discovering the early stages of DPN when other tested nerves are normal. The F-wave can be used as a sensitive indicator for the early diagnosis of DPN and it can help to detect the subclinical lesions. EEG examination in diabetic patients with severe DPN is important in showing the defect in the central nervous system.
Estimated Glucose Disposal Rate (eGDR) – A Marker for the Assessment of Insulin Resistance in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Bîcu Mihaela L. , Bîcu Daniel , Gârgavu Sigina , Sandu Magdalena , Vladu Mihaela I. , Clenciu Diana , Moţa Eugen , Moţa Maria 
Published: June 2016

Abstract

Background and Aims: Studies have shown an increased incidence of chronic complications in people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) with insulin resistance (IR) compared to people with T1DM without IR. Estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR) is an important indicator of IR in patients with T1DM, lower eGDR levels indicating greater IR. It was shown that T1DM patients with chronic complications (diabetic retinopathy - DR, diabetic peripheral neuropathy - DPN or diabetic kidney disease - DKD) exhibit higher IR compared to patients without chronic complications. The aim of our study was to evaluate eGDR as a marker for the assessment of IR in T1DM patients.

Materials and Methods: The study was observational, cross-sectional and included 140 T1DM patients with diabetes duration>10 years. The collected data were analyzed using the Statistic Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 software (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA).

Results: eGDR presented statistically significant correlations (p<0.05) with the presence of metabolic syndrome (MS), obesity, chronic complications of T1DM, cardiovascular risk (CVR) and smoking status in patients with T1DM duration >10 years.

Conclusions: eGDR represents a reliable marker for assessing the IR in T1DM.
Antidiabetic Activity of Different Extracts of Myrtus Communis in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Panjeshahin Mohammad Reza , Azadbakht Mohammad , Akbari Niattollah 
Published: June 2016

Abstract

Background and aim: Hydroalcoholic (70°) extract of leaves of Myrtus communis has been shown to have antidiabetic effect in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats in our previous study. In this study, we intended to determine the components of the mentioned extract and identify the mechanism for its action.

Materials and Methods: The leaves of Myrtus communis were extracted using petroleum ether by soxhlet. 100 g of the powder remaining in the strainer soxhlet apparatus were placed in two different percolators. The extraction was carried out by percolation method with ethanol-water (1-1) or distilled water in 72 hours. The remaining powder of water extract was further extracted using again ethanol (percolation method). The study was conducted on forty-eight matured male Charles-River rats (200-300 g) divided into 6 groups (n=8). Diabetes mellitus was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of 35 mg/kg of streptozotocin (STZ). Hydroalcoholic, water, and ethanol extracts of Myrtus communis were used at the dose of 4, 2, and respectively 2 g/kg body weight per day for 5 days. All extracts were given orally by gastric tube.

Results: We found that the total hydroalcoholic extract of Myrtus communis leaves showed a moderate antidiabetic effect. In this study, we showed that the ethanolic extract of leaves (2 g/kg) had a better hypoglycemic effect in diabetic rats compared with the aqueous extract (p < 0.05). Our results also showed that the oral administration of the ethanolic extract (2 g/kg) had an additive effect on the hypoglycemic action of glibenclamide (oral administration 5 mg/kg) in rats.

Conclusion: A review of previous researches on leaves of Myrtus communis and also the present study suggests that the extracts may stimulate the β-cells of pancreas to release insulin.
Effect of Soya based Protein Rich Diet on Glycaemic Parameters and Thyroid Function Tests in Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Sarathi Vijaya , Kolly Anish , Chaithanya Hulivana Boranna , Dwarakanath Chinthamani Suryanarayana 
Published: June 2016

Abstract

Background and Aims: Medical nutrition therapy plays a major role in the management of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, control of postprandial blood glucose values is often a challenge in Asian Indian GDM women due to high carbohydrate content in Indian diet.

Materials and Methods: Women presenting with GDM diagnosis were randomised to high fiber complex carbohydrate diet and soya based protein rich diet (25% of cereal part in the high fiber, complex carbohydrate diet replaced by soya food) groups.

Results: At the end of one week after initiation of dietary intervention, patients who received high fiber complex carbohydrate diet (n=30) had significantly higher postprandial blood glucose levels than those who received soya based protein rich diet (n=32). The need for insulin therapy at the end of one week after initiation of dietary intervention (15.62% vs. 40.0%) and at delivery (18.75% vs. 50%) were significantly lower in soya based protein rich diet group. Maternal thyroid function at diagnosis of GDM and delivery and neonatal TSH were not significantly different between the groups.

Conclusion: Consumption of soya based protein rich diet reduced the need for insulin therapy in subjects with GDM. Short term consumption of soya food did not alter maternal and neonatal thyroid functions.
A Male with Extreme Subcutaneous Insulin Resistance: A Case Report
Authors: Ahmed Zuhayer , Prasad Indrajit , Rahman Hafizur , Ansari Jalil , Hassan Khaled 
Published: June 2016

Abstract

Introduction: Though insulin has no upper limit in dosage, we do not encounter very high dose requirements too often. The reported case is the first in Bangladesh to require more than 1000 international units (IU) of subcutaneous insulin per day.

Case presentation: A 44-year old male diabetic patient from Bangladesh presented with unusually uncontrolled diabetes mellitus due to extreme insulin resistance. Despite dramatic increase in insulin step by step up to 1110 IU of concomitant short and intermediate acting insulin per day by subcutaneous route, his blood glucose remained over 12 mmol/L persistently, in all the fasting, pre-prandial, postprandial and random samples. He was also treated with several oral hypoglycemic agents including metformin, vildagliptin, glimepiride, pioglitazone and miglitol along with insulin but blood glucose levels remained almost unchanged. However, intravenous infusion of insulin over 4 hours caused a plummet in the glucose level. His blood test for insulin autoantibody was negative.

Conclusion: This paper provides a scope to review literatures on extreme subcutaneous insulin resistance and its management. It also reveals the limitations of management due to lack of facilities in an underdeveloped country, which hinders proper exploration to many medical issues.
Factors Limiting Adoption of Technologies by Farmers in Catabola Municipality, Angola
Authors: Rušarová K. , Mazancová J. , Havrland B. 
Published: June 2016

Abstract
The objective of the paper is to define the factors influencing the adoption of animal traction and/or mechanical-power technology in the conditions of Catabola municipality where hand-tool technology is being used on 99.7% of the area cultivated by small farmers. Primary data collection was conducted in the period July–August 2011; semi-structured questionnaires and focus group discussions were the most frequent methods used. In total, 151 small-scale farmers from 9 villages participated in the survey. Ten factors influencing the dependent variable – level of technology used by farmers in combination with hiring of labour – were defined. The factors were statistically analyzed by ANOVA. The area of cultivated land and the educational level of both parents and children were found to be the factors limiting the process of animal traction or mechanical power adoption by small farmers in the Catabola municipality. In addition, a relatively high rate of child labour was observed. With the exclusion of childless families, 62.7% of small farmer families regularly use children aged 0–14 years for field operations. The results confirm that the factor of hiring extra labour is irrelevant in determining the development in technology use by small farmers in the Catabola municipality.
Economic Growth and Life Expectancy: The Case of Iran
Authors: Mahyar Hami 
Published: June 2016

Abstract
Regarding the link between economic growth and it’s public outcomes, this paper studies the effect of economic growth on life expectancy in Iran during 1966-2013. To achieve the research objectives, annually data collected from World Bank Database and I used the life expectancy at birth and annually GDP growth rate to measure the research variables. Then I applied Vector Error Correction Model to estimate the proposed model. The results on this study show that economic growth has a positively significant effect on life expectancy in Iran during the observation period.
Re-Visting the Electricity-Growth Nexus in South Africa
Authors: Phiri Andrew , Nyoni Bothwell 
Published: June 2016

Abstract
This research study contributes to the ever-expanding literature by examining multivariate cointegration and causality relationships between electricity consumption, economic growth and other growth determinants for quarterly South African data collected between 1994/Q1 – 2014/Q4. The motivation behind this current research case study becomes apparent when taking into consideration that no previous studies have gone further than bivariate and trivariate analysis in investigating the electricity-growth nexus in South Africa. In conducting our empirical investigation, our obtained empirical results are two-fold in nature. Firstly, we find significant multivariate long-run cointegration relationships between economic growth, electricity consumption and other growth determinants. Secondly, our empirical analysis offers support in favour of the neutrality hypothesis, that is, the notion of no causal effects existing between electricity consumption and economic growth in the long-run. However, we find that exports directly cause electricity consumption whereas economic growth, domestic investment and employment levels causally flow to exports.