bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of scaffolding in children’s questions: Implications for (preschool) language assessment from a usage-based perspective
Authors: Behrens Heike , Madlener Karin , Skoruppa Katrin 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThis article outlines a range of theoretical, empirical, and practical desiderata for the design of (preschool) language assessments that follow from recent insights into language development from a cognitive-linguistic and usage-based perspective. To assess children’s productive communicative abilities rather than their ability to judge the acceptability of complex sentences in isolation is a new perspective in language testing that requires theoretical motivation as well as operationalizable criteria for judging the appropriateness of children’s language productions, and for characterizing the properties of their language command. After a brief review of the basic rationale of current strands of preschool assessment in Germany (Section 2), the fundamental usage-based assumptions regarding children’s developing linguistic competence and their implications for the design of preschool language diagnostics are characterized (Section 3). In order to assess children’s language production, in particular its flexibility and productivity in context, a test environment needs to be created in which children are allowed to use a certain range of language in meaningful contexts. Section 4 thus zooms in on the central question of scaffolding. Section 5 presents corresponding corpus evidence for adult strategies of prompting children to elaborate their answers and for typical child responses. Sections 6 and 7 discuss the corpus-based findings with respect to their implications for the design of ( preschool) language assessment and point to further challenges.
Destabilisation, IL variation and restructuring in foreign language learning
Authors: Kounatidis Jannis 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
The article presents and analyses research data gathered in a German secondary school with early learners of English. Research on L2 development needs a clear and precise documentation of learner responses over a longer period of time. Accompanying learners in longitudinal settings helps to outline major processes in foreign language acquisition. Moreover, it provides a profound understanding of how learners’ IL systems develop. The underlying hypotheses are that (a) IL systems are constantly being restructured, (b) learner responses feature diverse variants indicating their attempts to figure out the target-like rule, and (c) the degree of variability reflects the learners’ difficulties with incorporating the target-like structures. The study’s focus was on the acquisition of three linguistic phenomena (the copula BE, negation and preterite formation) in a classroom setting. For each area, several questionnaires were developed, the responses were analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively, the IL development for the structure in question was determined and potential error sources were identified. The results of the study show what learners struggle with in the course of acquisition. Knowledge about probable difficulties does not only yield insights into the learners’ acquisition process, it can also improve current teaching materials, enable adequate interventions and provide the learners with appropriate tasks for practicing their language skills. The results of the study indicate that incorporating linguistic findings into the compilation process of textbooks proves constructive for second language teaching.
The current state of the creation and modernization of national geodetic and cartographic resources in Poland
Authors: Doskocz Adam 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAll official data are currently integrated and harmonized in a spatial reference system. This paper outlines a national geodetic and cartographic resources in Poland. The national geodetic and cartographic resources are an important part of the spatial information infrastructure in the European Community. They also provide reference data for other resources of Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI), including: main and detailed geodetic control networks, base maps, land and buildings registries, geodetic registries of utilities and topographic maps. This paper presents methods of producing digital map data and technical standards for field surveys, and in addition paper also presents some aspects of building Global and Regional SDI.
Establishing Bias in an Expert Witness: The What, Why and How
Authors: Pal Sahana 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAn expert witness is one who is allowed to provide opinion testimony at trial based upon his or her specialized knowledge, training or experience, on matters that are relevant to the issues in the case and will help the fact finder to reach a decision. However, more often than not, these experts are found to be biased in several manners and thus render the exercise useless in the eyes of the Court. This paper discusses the various ways an expert can be considered to biased, the reasons behind such bias and the ways to establish bias in an expert witness.
A Novel Approach to the Design of Passive Filters in Electric Grids
Authors: Filho da Costa Castro José , Lima Lucas Ramalho , Belchior Fernando Nunes , Ribeiro Paulo Fernando 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
The design of shunt passive filters has been a topic of constant research since the 70’s. Due to the lower cost, passive shunt filters are still considered a preferred option. This paper presents a novel approach for the placement and sizing of passive filters through ranking solutions based on the minimization of the total harmonic distortion (THDV) of the supply system rather than one specific bus, without neglecting the individual harmonic distortions. The developed method was implemented using Matlab/Simulink and applied to a test system. The results shown that is possible to minimize the total voltage harmonic distortion using a system approach during the filter selection. Additionally, since the method is mainly based on a heurist approach, it avoids the complexity associated with of use of advanced mathematical tools such as artificial intelligence techniques. The analyses contemplate a sinusoidal voltage utility and also the condition with background distortion utility.
Real-Time Smart Grids Control for Preventing Cascading Failures and Blackout using Neural Networks: Experimental Approach for N-1-1 Contingency
Authors: Zarrabian Sina , Belkacemi Rabie , Babalola Adeniyi A. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractIn this paper, a novel intelligent control is proposed based on Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to mitigate cascading failure (CF) and prevent blackout in smart grid systems after N-1-1 contingency condition in real-time. The fundamental contribution of this research is to deploy the machine learning concept for preventing blackout at early stages of its occurrence and to make smart grids more resilient, reliable, and robust. The proposed method provides the best action selection strategy for adaptive adjustment of generators’ output power through frequency control. This method is able to relieve congestion of transmission lines and prevent consecutive transmission line outage after N-1-1 contingency condition. The proposed ANN-based control approach is tested on an experimental 100 kW test system developed by the authors to test intelligent systems. Additionally, the proposed approach is validated on the large-scale IEEE 118-bus power system by simulation studies. Experimental results show that the ANN approach is very promising and provides accurate and robust control by preventing blackout. The technique is compared to a heuristic multi-agent system (MAS) approach based on communication interchanges. The ANN approach showed more accurate and robust response than the MAS algorithm.
The morphology of Shilluk transitive verbs
Authors: Remijsen Bert , Miller-Naudé Cynthia L. , Gilley Leoma G. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThis paper offers a descriptive analysis of the morphology of transitive verbs in Shilluk. Shilluk is a language in which stem-internal changes, many of them suprasegmental in nature, play an important role in the morphology, alongside affixal markers. In particular, tone, vowel length, Advanced Tongue Root (ATR), vowel height, and the stem-final consonant are involved in the morphological marking of a range inflections, expressing tense-aspect-modality, valency changes, agreement, and focus. The paper lays out the inflectional marking of these operations, for each of seven classes that can be distinguished among transitive verbs. In this way, the study extends our understanding of stem-internal morphology and its development in West Nilotic languages.
Ultrastructural Study of the Synaptic Glomeruli in the Rat’s Cochlear Nucleus
Authors: Pencheva Svetla P. , Ivanov Emilyan A. 
Published: December 2016

Summary
The granule cell domain of the cochlear nuclear complex contains interneurons, which are the targets for nonprimary auditory inputs from the superior olivary complex, inferior colliculus, auditory cortex, cuneate and trigeminal nuclei of the somatosensory system. The cellular targets of the non-primary projections are unknown due to a lack of information regarding postsynaptic profiles in the granule cell areas. In the present paper, we examined the synaptic relationships between a heterogeneous class of large synaptic terminals, called mossy fibers and their targets within subdivisions of the granule cell domain. During the late stage of postnatal development, we observed heterogenous groups of complex synaptic glomeruli. Using electron microscopy, we provide evidence for ultrastructural features of dendrites that receive input from the mossy fibers. The distinct synaptic relations between mossy fibers and dendrites of microneurons further imply fundamentally separate roles in processing of acoustic signals.
Effects of Long-Term Treatment with Atorvastatin and Rosuaastatin on Active Avoidance Test in Intact Rats
Authors: Georgieva-Kotetarova Maria T. , Kostadinova Ivanka I. , Delev Delian P. 
Published: December 2016

Summary
Statins are widely used for treatment of hyperlipidemia. They have been shown to possess pleiotropic effects apart from their lipid-lowering activity - anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and neuroprotective. Most studies suggest that statins can protect the brain against damage but it is not clear whether they improve cognitive function in patients without neuropathy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of 3-month treatment with atorvastatin and rosuvastatin on learning and memory processes in rats without brain damage. Wistar rats were treated orally for 90 days with atorvastatin and rosuvastatin at a dose of 10 mg/kg b. w. in parallel with the vehicle-treated group. After that period, learning ability and memory retention was evaluated using an active avoidance test - automatic reflex conditioner (shuttle box). The learning session was carried out on 5 consecutive days. Memory retention test was performed on day 12. The following behavioral reactions were investigated: conditioned responses (avoidance), unconditioned responses (escapes), and intertrial crossings. We found increased number of conditioned responses in groups, treated with atorvastatin 10 mg/kg b.w., and with rosuvastatin 10 mg/kg b.w. during the learning session and on the memory retention test, as compared to the same-day control group. The atorvastatin-treated group showed an increased number of unconditioned responses on days 1 and 2, as compared to the control group. In the group treated with Rosuvastatin there was an increased number of escapes on days 1,2 and 4, as compared to the vehicle-treated group. Atorvastatin and rosuvastatin at a dose of 10 mg/kg b.w. improved processes of learning and memory retention after the 3-month treatment.
Late Prosthetic Vascular Graft Infections after Reconstructions on Aortoiliac Segment: An Eleven Years Experience
Authors: Beshev Lyubomir Ts. , Edreva-Besheva Valentina E. , Sredkova Mariya P. , Nguen Dobromir D. 
Published: December 2016

Summary
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the frequency and etiology of late prosthetic vascular graft infections after reconstructions on aortoiliac segment. From 2001 to 2011,545 primary reconstructions were performed on 545 consecutive patients. We had 18 cases of late intracavitary graft infections in 14 of them. A total of 58 clinical specimens collected from patients before, during and after reoperation were analyzed. Pathogens were isolated using conventional methods for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. The isolates were identified down to species level by conventional biochemical methods, VITEK 2 and mini API Systems (bioMereux, France). During an 11-year period after prosthetic grafting of the abdominal aorta and aortoiliac segment the incidence of late (more than 4 months after implantation) infection was 3.11%. The mean interval between the initial operation and development of infection was 39.2 months (range 4 to 84). Positive microbial cultures were found in 46 clinical specimens. A total of 66 microbial isolates were cultured, comprising 27 clinical strains. Gram-positive bacteria were predominant - 15 (55.55%) strains, followed by Gram-negative bacteria - 9 (3 3.33%), Candida albicans - 2 (7.4%) and Bacteroides fragilis - 1 (3.7%). In 7 cases, the infection was monobacterial, caused predominantly by Staphylococcus species. In the rest of the cases, the infections were polymicrobial, caused by association between two microbial species. Mortality rate was 35.71% (5 cases) - in 4 of them the infection was caused by association between two species of Gram-negative bacteria or between Gram-negative bacteria and Candida albicans. The incidence of late intracavitary vascular graft infection was low. The average period for development of this complication was about 3 years after reconstruction. Among the causative agents, Gram-positive microorganisms had a predominant role but infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria, especially when they were in association, had a worse outcome.
Predisposition to Thrombophilia and Hypofibrinolysis in Pulmonary Embolism: Analysis of Inherited Factors
Authors: Komsa-Penkova Regina , Tonchev Pencho T. , Kovacheva Katya S. , Georgieva Galya B. , Ivanov Yavor Y. , Ivanov Petar D. , Golemanov Georgi M. , Iliev Sergey D. 
Published: December 2016

Summary
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a relatively common cardiovascular emergency, though its exact incidence is difficult to assess. Accurate diagnosis is critical because of the high 30-day mortality in patients in whom the diagnosis is missed on admission. Doubt for PE is often raised by the presence of risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE), which are categorized into inherited and acquired. Among these, the importance of inherited/genetic thrombophilic factors is increasingly recognized. The most frequent markers of inherited thrombophilia are Factor V Leiden (FVL) and G2021OA prothrombin gene mutation. Among the inherited factors causal to thrombophilia, the C677T variant in methylentetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene as well as factors like P1A1/P1A2 polymorphism in platelet glycoprotein Ilb/IIIa (P1A2) and hypofibrinolytic polymorphism 4G/4G in PAI-1 gene are discussed with controversial results. In our study, thrombophilic and hypofibrinolytic genetic variants were identified in 54.2% of 115 patients with PE. The most common significant genetic defects were FVL- 16.5% in patients versus 6.2% in controls (OR=3.102; p=0.05), G20210A PT 5.7% versus 2.1% (OR=2.983; p>0.05). P1A2 was found in 27.3% patients versus 19.9% in controls (OR= 1.523, p>0.05) and PAM 27.8% versus 22.6% (OR =1.501 p>0.05). MTHFR C677T carriage was inverse: 6.7% in patients versus 13.4% in controls. (OR=0.461 p=0.05). Of all the patients studied, 15.65% had a history of recurrent embolic incidents. The risk of recurrence was higher for the carriers of FVL and G20210A prothrombin gene mutation. The association between carriage of thrombophilic genetic factor and the early onset of the first embolic episode was found in the patients with PE. The awareness of risk factors and risk stratification is a critical issue in treatment and prevention policy. Preventive measures should be taken in particular medical conditions.
Abnormal Levels of Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Markers in Patients with Arterial Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Danovska Maya P. , Alexandrova Margarita L. , Gencheva Irena I. 
Published: December 2016

Summary
Individuals with hypertension and diabetes mellitus are at high risk of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Recent advances in the multifactorial pathophysiology of atherogenesis provide important information about the complex interrelations between traditional risk factors, inflammation and oxidative stress in mediating all stages of atherosclerosis. The objective of the study was to determine if some inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in patients with arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus differ from those in healthy age-matched controls. Our results revealed a significant difference in blood pro/antioxidant activities in hypertensive diabetics and the controls. The investigation of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers along with traditional risk factors proves useful in complex assessment of vascular risk and primary prophylaxis of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events.
Popliteal Aneurysms as a Cause for Arterial Insufficiency
Authors: Beshev Lyubomir Ts. , Marinov Angel P. , Andreev Tihomir V. , Totzev Nachko I. , Velikov Valentin Ch. , Georgiev Tsvetomir G. , Grigorov Angel S. , Tsankov Boris D. , Ignatov Borislav A. 
Published: December 2016

Summary
Clinical manifestations, possibilities for accurate diagnosis of popliteal aneurysms, and operative approaches applied depending on their location are presented, as well as results from treatment over a four-year period. Popliteal artery aneurysms accounted for 5.63% of all 266 cases of acute arterial insufficiency. The mean age of the patients was 68.8 years, and the male:female ratio – 4:1. In five patients (33.33%), the localization of aneurysm was unilateral. In 80% of the cases with bilateral popliteal aneurysms, the aneurysms were combined with aneurysms of other locations. The surgical technique applied was posterior approach with resection of the aneurysm and interposition of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) prosthesis. The early patency rate of the reconstructed segment was 100%. Late patency rate of the reconstructed segment was 90.9%. Despite the better late results in femoropopliteal reconstruction, we think that a posterior approach with prosthesis implantation is better because it saves the great saphenous vein. The presence of multiple aneurysms in the patients studied (80%) determined the low survival at 5 and 10 years, which makes it comparable to the results from applying the two surgical methods.
Study of the Carrier State for Five BRCA1/BRCA2 Deleterious Mutations in Bulgarian Women with Breast Cancer
Authors: Kovacheva Katia S. , Kamburova Zornica B. , Popovska Savelina L. , Ivanov Ivan N. , Simeonova Maria N. , Angelova Petia N. 
Published: December 2016

Summary
Genetic testing for BRCA 1/2 mutation is a well recognized medical management tool. Identification of healthy carriers of such mutations allows effective risk reduction procedures to be performed. There is no data reported on the founder mutations in the Bulgarian population. To evaluate the contribution of genetic factors to breast cancer (BC), we investigated the carrier state of Bulgarian women with BC for five common (according to BIC database) deleterious BRCA1/2 mutations. The list of patients diagnosed with BC between January 2011 and April 2012 was obtained from the Cancer Registry of University Hospital, Pleven. Eighty-two women with BC were interviewed and a pedigree was constructed of each of them. The patients were classified into seven categories, according to personal, disease and family history. Based on the preliminary prepared selection criteria and the personal family history, we defined a target group of 33 Bulgarian women with BC. They were screened for five deleterious mutations: 5382insC in BRCA1 and 6174delT, 6079del4, 8138del5, 5946delCT in BRCA2, by DNA sequencing. The genetic analysis detected none of the tested mutations. Two polymorphic variants were found in BRCA2 gene: c.5744C>T (rs4987117, SNP database) in exonl 1E in one patient and c.7806-14T>C (rs9534262, SNP database) in exonl7 in 22 patients. In conclusion, without basic information on the founder mutations in the population, the genetic screening for the specific mutations in a small group of tested patients is ineffective.
Challenges and Variables Affecting the Success of Sentinel Lymph Node Biospy in Malignant Melanoma a 4-Year Analysis of Clinical Results
Authors: Dimitrov Dobromir D. , Kirov Veselin I. , Ignatov Borislav A. , Tsankov Boris D. , Feradova Hyuliya E. , Vutova Vasya , Hristova Silviya P. , Nanev Vasil D. , Valcheva Genoveva B. , Deliyski Tashko S. 
Published: December 2016

Summary
In the last 15 years, sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for patients with malignant melanoma (MM) has been introduced into the clinical practice. Our aim was to make a retrospective analysis of clinical results in order to assess the success ratio of SLNB and the variables affecting it in MM patients, treated in the Oncology Center at the University Hospital “Dr George Stranski” - Pleven, Bulgaria for a 4-year period. A research index card was used to process the oncologic files of 82 out of 102 patients with MM, treated and monitored at the Oncology centre between 01.01.2008 and 31.12.2011. TNM-stages, Breslow and Clark levels, location, characteristics of the skin lesion, diagnostic excision, type of lymph node dissection, number of SLN, localization of SLN, etc. were registered in the index card. SLNB staging was carried out in 28 patients. Sentinel lymph nodes were found in 22 of them. The success ratio of the method was 78.6%. Histologically, metastatic SLN were found in 4 cases. The Patent Blue Dye method was used in 22 of the cases (78%). A combined radiocolloid and dye method was used in 5 cases (18%). A radiocolloid method was used in 1 case (4%) only. Our research showed that more therapeutic lymph node dissections were performed in cases of locally advanced MM, which in turn worsened the clinical results. According to our research, the SLNB success ratio depends on the precision of diagnostic excision (p=0.019), lesion location (p=0.015), Clark level (p=0.0229), mapping method (p=0.08) and the type of melanoma (p=0.088).
Evaluation of Recovery of Activities of Daily Living in Patients with Sequelae from Cerebral Vascular Disease
Authors: Vacheva Danelina E. , Simeonova Verjinia K. , Stamenov Boyko St. 
Published: December 2016

Summary
Bulgaria ranks first in the world in incidence, morbidity and death associated with cerebrovascular disease. The aim of the study was to investigate, follow-up and register recovery of activities of daily living (using the toilet and maintaining personal hygiene) in patients with sequelae from cerebrovascular disease in a subacute stage, who underwent physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Sixty-one patients were included and followed up. They were given tailored physiotherapy and rehabilitation. This included kinesitherapy, occupational therapy and electrotherapy. All the patients filled in self-assessment questionnaires before and after the rehabilitation course. Major parameters were assessed, irrespective of the limb affected -dominant or non-dominant. Results were analyzed using the Wilcoxon rank test. At the end of the rehabilitation course, the Wilcoxon curves were driven to the right, confirming improvement concerning independence, irrespective of involvement of dominant or non-dominant limb.