bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A relaxed splitting preconditioner for saddle point problems
Authors: Li Cui-Xia , Wu Shi-Liang , Huang Ai-Qun 
Published: December 2015

AbstractIn this paper, we introduce a relaxed splitting preconditioner for saddle point problems. Spectral properties of the preconditioned matrix are analyzed and compared with the closely related preconditioner in recent paper [New preconditioners for saddle point problems, Appl. Math. Comput. 172 (2006), 762-771] by Pan et al. Numerical experiments are given to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed precoditioner.
On the logarithms of matrices with central symmetry
Authors: Lu Chengbo 
Published: December 2015

AbstractFor computing logarithms of a nonsingular matrix A, one well known algorithm named the inverse scaling and squaring method, was proposed by Kenney and Laub [14] for use with a Schur decomposition. In this paper we further consider (the computation of) the logarithms of matrices with central symmetry.We first investigate the structure of the logarithms of these matrices and then give the classifications of their logarithms. Then, we develop several algorithms for computing the logarithms. We show that our algorithms are four times cheaper than the standard inverse scaling and squaring method for matrices with central symmetry under certain conditions.
Changes in incidence of iatrogenic and spontaneous preterm births over time: a population-based study
Authors: Lucovnik Miha , Bregar Andreja Trojner , Steblovnik Lili , Verdenik Ivan , Gersak Ksenija , Blickstein Isaac , Tul Natasa 
Published: December 2015

AbstractTo examine the proportion of iatrogenic births among all preterm births over a 26-year period.A registry-based survey of preterm deliveries between 1987 and 2012 analyzed by the onset of labor: spontaneous with intact membranes, preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) or iatrogenic. Stratification into categories by gestation (22 weeks to 27 weeks and 6 days, 28 weeks to 31 weeks and 6 days, 32 weeks to 33 weeks and 6 days, 34 weeks to 36 weeks and 6 days) was performed. Preterm birth rates were analyzed using the Mantel-Haenszel linear-by-linear associationOverall preterm birth rate was 5.9% (31328 deliveries) including 2358 (0.4%) before 28 completed weeks, 3388 (0.6%) between 28 weeks and 31 weeks 6 days, 3970 (0.8%) between 32 weeks and 33 weeks and 6 days, and 21611 (4.1%) between 34 weeks and 36 weeks and 6 days There was an increase in overall preterm birth rate (P<0.001). The rate of iatrogenic preterm births and PPROM increased over time (P<0.001 and P<0.014, respectively). Rates of spontaneous preterm birth decreased (P<0.001). After accounting for potential confounders, year of birth remained an independent risk factor for iatrogenic preterm delivery in all four gestational age categories (P<0.001).The incidence of iatrogenic preterm birth is increasing with a concomitant decrease in the incidence of spontaneous preterm birth. Attempts to analyze, interpret and decrease preterm birth rates should consider spontaneous and iatrogenic preterm births separately.
The Impact of US Military Spending on Public Debt in Europe (1992–2013): A Note
Authors: Caruso Raul , Di Domizio Marco 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThis paper investigates the relationship between the US military spending and public debt in a panel of European countries in the period 1992–2013. Under the established evidence of the interdependence between US and European military spending, we exploited a dynamic panel estimation. Findings show that the debt of European countries is: (1) positively associated with US military spending; (2) negatively associated with average military burden of other European countries.
Explicit algorithms to solve a class of state constrained parabolic optimal control problems
Authors: Lapin Alexander , Laitinen Erkki , Lapin Sergey 
Published: December 2015

AbstractWe consider an optimal control problem of a system governed by a linear parabolic equation with the following features: control is distributed, observation is either distributed or final, there are constraints on the state function and on its time derivative. Iterative solution methods are proposed and investigated for the finite difference approximations of these optimal control problems. Due to explicit in time approximation of the state equation and the appropriate choice of the preconditioners in the iterative methods, the implementation of all constructed methods is carried out by explicit formulae. Computational experiments confirm the theoretical results.
System-L amino acid transporters play a key role in pancreatic β-cell signalling and function
Authors: Cheng Qi , Beltran Violeta D , Chan Stanley M H , Brown Jeremy R , Bevington Alan , Herbert Terence P 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
The branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) leucine, isoleucine and valine, are essential amino acids that play a critical role in cellular signalling and metabolism. They acutely stimulate insulin secretion and activate the regulatory serine/threonine kinase mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), a kinase that promotes increased β-cell mass and function. The effects of BCAA on cellular function are dependent on their active transport into the mammalian cells via amino acid transporters and thus the expression and activity of these transporters likely influence β-cell signalling and function. In this report, we show that the System-L transporters are required for BCAA uptake into clonal β-cell lines and pancreatic islets, and that these are essential for signalling to mTORC1. Further investigation revealed that the System-L amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) is abundantly expressed in the islets, and that knockdown of LAT1 using siRNA inhibits mTORC1 signalling, leucine-stimulated insulin secretion and islet cell proliferation. In summary, we show that the LAT1 is required for regulating β-cell signalling and function in islets and thus may be a novel pharmacological/nutritional target for the treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes.
Autopercepción de habilidades de lectura crítica en estudiantes de ciencias de la educación
Authors: Díaz Juan Pablo , Bar Aníbal Roque , Ortiz Margarita Cristina 
Published: December 2015

Este artículo propone identificar habilidades de lectura crítica autopercibidas por estudiantes de Ciencias de la Educación de una universidad pública de la ciudad de Resistencia (Chaco – Argentina). Se trabajó con una muestra de sesenta alumnos del cuarto y quinto nivel del Profesorado y la Licenciatura en Ciencias de la Educación, aplicando un cuestionario estructurado (CPC2), elaborado y estandarizado por Santiuste Bermejo. Si bien dicho instrumento indaga la percepciones respecto de las habilidades de lectura, escritura y verbalización, en esta ocasión se investigó sólo el primer tópico. Los ítems seleccionados para el análisis de la información se agruparon conforme con los procesos cognitivos que se describen en cada caso: en primera instancia, aquellos que dan cuenta de habilidades vinculadas con el análisis previo a lectura; y en la segunda, en relación con el propio examen crítico. . Los resultados muestran que la mayoría de los estudiantes señala reconocer ideas relevantes y tesis, realizar inferencias, valorar soluciones, apreciar la vigencia del contenido y los argumentos para la toma de decisiones fundadas. No obstante, se observa cierta ambigüedad en relación con la habilidad para acordar o no con la postura de los autores. Estos hallazgos son consistentes con lo esperado de estudiantes de carreras multiparadigmáticas.
The roles of the instructors in an ESP-task based language teaching course
Authors: Vargas Vásquez José Miguel , Moya Chaves Maciel , Garro Morales Carolina 
Published: December 2015

The graduate program in Teaching English at the University of Costa Rica offers yearly English courses to satisfy the language learning needs at different departments, research centers, or similar institutions. The objective of this article was to analyze the extent to which a group of student teachers fulfilled the roles of the instructors in the Task Based Language Teaching method used in the graduate program. The study used a mixed-methods approach and the subjects were three instructors during their teaching practicum. The roles of the instructors were assessed by the practicum supervisors, fellow students in the practicum, the students in the course, and the instructors themselves through rubrics, observation sheets, surveys, and teaching journals. The results from the different instruments using different scales pointed to the instructors fulfilling the roles of sequencing tasks and motivating the learners a majority of the times. The roles of preparing the learners for tasks and raising consciousness were fulfilled to a lesser extent, which indicated that the instructors needed to work further on these areas. The study concluded with recommendations for improving the roles that revealed weaknesses, notably aimed to provide a manageable numbers of vocabulary items and grammar structures in the pretask, as well as to provide prompt feedback, and to elicit students’ knowledge for the development of lessons.
Dinamika Kehidupan Beragama Kaum Nahdiyin-Salafi di Pamekasan Madura
Authors: Hasan Nor 
Published: December 2015

In principle, the Salafi-Islam attempts to call for genuine Islamic teaching as practiced during the period of the Prophet. Salafi-Islam came to Indonesia in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, then spread to different places in the Archipelago. In Larangan, Pamekasan, the spread of Salafi-Islam is still in its nascent stage, from person-to-person, and appears as a small phenomenon in the midst of predominantly mainstream Islam. Salafi teachings spread through different forms of communication media (radios, televisions, magazines, and books) and religious practices of its proponents. The movement manifests itself in the pratices of rituals, not in politics. The implication of encounter between salafi-Islam and NU as the mainstream religious group in Pamekasan is as follows: (1) religous life in Pamekasan becomes more dynamic; (2) there emerges inward-looking attitude at their own religous practices as well as outward-looking attitude to the others. This phenomenon can be observed among more educated members of the society. Among the common people, however, there are two types of attitude: ignorance and negative reaction; and (3) an attempt to search for the common ground and dialogue among different religious communities is being conducted.
A problemática ambiental decorrente dos resíduos sólidos gerados no processo produtivo do queijo
Authors: Silva M. A. , Almeida S. N. R. , Almeida R. R. P. , Carolino E. C. A. , Crispim D. L. 
Published: December 2015

<p>O processo de fabricação e comercialização de queijo, sejam eles em grandes agroindústrias ou de modo artesanal em pequenas propriedades rurais, é parte importante na economia brasileira, sobretudo para algumas regiões, a exemplo da região nordeste do Brasil. O objetivo deste trabalho foi efetuar uma caracterização preliminar da produção de queijo, enfatizando o levantamento de suas relações com o meio ambiente e os possíveis aspectos e impactos ambientais decorrentes da produção de queijo. Para tanto, utilizou-se como processo metodológico uma revisão bibliográfica da problemática em estudo a fim de se obter a maior quantidade possível de informações, além de fazer uma correlação com estudos que traz alternativas para o aproveitamento do principal efluente gerado no processo produtivo do queijo, que é o soro derivado do leite. O soro do leite é um subproduto de alto potencial poluidor, e as empresas perceberam que agregando valor a esse subproduto derivado do leite tem-se uma alternativa viável economicamente, além da redução dos custos com o tratamento de efluentes. Destacando assim, a necessidade de conscientização dos empresários deste segmento, bem como da instalação e/ou adequação de sistemas de tratamento eficientes dos resíduos e efluentes gerados em todas as etapas do processo, haja vista o alto potencial poluidor e impactante desta atividade.</p><p align="center"><strong><em>The environmental problems resulting from solid waste generated in the production process cheese</em></strong></p><p><strong>Abstract</strong><strong>: </strong>The process of manufacturing and marketing of cheese, whether in big agribusiness or artisanal way in small farms, is an important part in the Brazilian economy, especially for some regions such as the northeast region of Brazil. The objective of this study was to perform a preliminary characterization of cheese production, emphasizing raising its relations with the environment and potential environmental aspects and impacts of the cheese production. For this purpose, it was used as a methodological process a literature of the problematic review of study in order to obtain the largest possible amount of information, and make a correlation with studies that brings alternatives to the use of the main wastewater generated in the production of the cheese making process, which is derived from milk serum. Whey is a high pollution potential by-product, and companies have realized that adding value to this byproduct derived from milk has an economically viable alternative, in addition to reducing the costs of treating effluents. Highlighting thereby the need for awareness of entrepreneurs in this segment as well as the installation and / or suitability of efficient treatment systems for waste and effluents generated at all stages of the process, given the high pollution potential and impacting this activity.</p>
Consuming the Coast: mid-century communications of port tourism in the southern african Indian Ocean
Authors: Gupta Pamila 
Published: December 2015

<p>Throughout the early to mid-20<sup>th</sup> century, tourist passenger cruise liners moving along the Southern African coast were a popular leisure activity, undertaken by largely elite (white) Europeans (predominately British), Americans, and South Africans, with stopping off points including multiple Indian Ocean port cities such as Cape Town and Durban in South Africa and Lourenço Marques and Beira in Portuguese Mozambique. By considering the above twined port cities in relation to their entangled colonial and tourist pasts, and as operating within a distinct regional “cultural corridor”(NUTALL, 2009) of Southern Africa, this paper explores a series of leisured port spaces as inter-connected via the passenger cruise liner. The basis for my historical navigation is the tourism yearbooks produced by the <em>Union-Castle Line, </em>Round Africa service, those for 1939 and 1949 respectively. That these guidebooks serve as portholes into the cosmopolitan microcosmic world of cruise ships makes them invaluable for understanding the history of leisure (and its concomitant products, consumer goods and advertising) in Southern Africa.</p>
Contamination of drinking water between source and point-of-use in rural households of South Africa and Zimbabwe: implications for monitoring the Millennium Development Goal for water
Authors: Gundry Stephen W. , Wright James A. , Conroy Ronan , Du Preez Martella , Genthe Bettina , Moyo Sibonginkosi , Mutisi Charles , Ndamba Jerikias , Potgieter Natasha 
Published: December 2015

Aims: To assess contamination of drinking water in rural Zimbabwe and South Africa
Methods: We conducted a cohort study of 254 children aged 12-24 months in rural South Africa and Zimbabwe. In dry and wet seasons, we measured water quality, using the indicator organism E. coli, at improved and unimproved sources, in household storage and drinking cups. We also recorded hygiene and socio-economic factors for each household.
Results: For improved sources, samples with E. coli counts less than 10 cfu/100ml were as follows: at source: 165 (88%); in household storage 137 (59%); in drinking cups 91 (49%). The corresponding values for unimproved sources were: source 47 (29%); household storage 32 (19%); drinking cups 21 (18%). This significant deterioration in microbial quality of water from improved sources was seen in both countries and both survey rounds.
Conclusion: Although improved sources generally delivered ‘safe’ water at the point-of-supply, 12% of source samples were contaminated and as such were ‘unsafe’. Furthermore, in household storage, more than 40% of samples were ‘unsafe’. For monitoring the Millennium Development Goal for water, UNICEF-WHO are assuming an equivalence between ‘improved’ sources and ‘safe’ water. Our findings suggest that this equivalence may be unsound.
Induced Magnesium Ammonia Phosphate Precipitation to Prevent Incrustations and Measures for Phosphorus Recovery
Authors: Heinzmann Bernd , Engel Gerd 
Published: December 2015

In 1994 for the first time massive incrustations in the centrifuges treating the digested sludge were detected in some wastewater treatment plants (WWTP’s) of the Berliner Wasserbetriebe, which were, as was found out later, mainly due to the precipitation of white MAP (magnesium ammonium phosphate = struvite) deposits with small portions of different calcium phosphate compounds. The reason for this was the over saturation of the digested sludge and the process water (from the separated centrate of the digested sludge) with carbon dioxide, the spontaneous release of or degassing of carbon dioxide, causing the pH to increase, thus altering the solubility equilibrium, and facilitating crystallisation, resulting in deposits (incrustations) on the walls. Obviously, the wastewater purification process used, with enhanced biological phosphorus removal and concentrated streams of digesting sludge, favours the formation of incrustations during sludge treatment. These incrustations were the cause of a lot of operational problems.
To prevent incrustations, modifications in the process engineering technology have been applied after several studies and trials. Deliberate extraction of the CO2, e.g. by air injection through a fine-bubble surface aeration system at the bottom of the digested sludge storage tank just before the centrifuges, causes the pH to rise to approx. 8 and thus to cause induced struvite precipitation.
This technology enables a precipitation product suitable for recycling to be generated and separated from the anaerobic sludge using a hydro-cyclone. A subsequent second hydro-cyclone stage allowed a further increase in the P-concentration to approx. 40 kg/m3, giving a yield of phosphorus of 20 %. This corresponds with P-load of approx. 316 kg/day and amounts to 18 % of the P inlet load in the WWTP Waßmannsdorf. It was shown that this experimental process is in principle suitable for the separation of the MAP precipitation product in the anaerobic sludge. A complete washing process for the raw MAP is not yet installed, and furthermore, to find the best sizes of nozzles in the hydro-cyclones and most effective pressures tests will have to be carried out soon at pilot level.
A comparison with the minimum nutrients content for different kinds of fertiliser (super-phosphate, dicalcium-phosphate with magnesium, NP-fertiliser) defined by the German Fertiliser Regulations, shows that the precipitated MAP is within the range of other legally certified fertilisers. The MAP showed contaminant levels 5 times or more below the limit values of the German Sewage Sludge Ordinance. The MAP precipitation product is very soluble in different solvents (from ammonium chloride to hydrochloric acid). This implies that the precipitation product can be used as a long term fertilizer. In two test soils having a pH value of 6.6 and 7.1, the MAP precipitation solid was tested using standard ryegrass and showed good phosphorus availability from this material leading to a good grass growth.
The Volatility of Other Comprehensive Income and Audit Fees
Authors: Huang Hua-Wei , Lin Steve , Raghunandan K. 
Published: December 2015

SYNOPSIS
The volatility in other comprehensive income (OCI) reflects how market-related price movements, such as exchange rate and equity price changes, affect a firm's future profits. Hence, firms with higher volatility of OCI are likely to have higher inherent risk. Using hand-collected data from 2002–2006, we find that the volatility of OCI is positively associated with audit fees and provides significant incremental explanatory power for audit fees over and above the level of OCI and the volatility of net income. We also find that the effect of the volatility of each component of OCI on audit fees is consistent with the prediction of how it might affect a firm's future profits. Our results support recent efforts by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) to require firms to present separately OCI components that may affect future earnings from those that may not affect future earnings.
L'institut catholique de Paris : politique et architecture sous la Troisième République
Authors: Georgeon-Liskenne Anne 
Published: December 2015

"The Catholic University of Paris : some thoughts on policy and architecture in the Third Republic", by Anne Georgeon-Liskenne.
Founded in 1875 in the wake of the law on Higher Education, the University then Catholic University of Paris has been housed in the monastic premises of the Carmélites in the rues d'Assas and de Vaugirard for about twenty years. In 1894 a first building is constructed of brick and iron-framed in a Gothic neo-Roman style by the architect of Historie Monuments, Gabriel Ruprich-Robert. As it has to face financial difficulties and an anticlérical Third Republic that Sequesters religious goods in accordance with the 1905 Law, only in 1929 is the Catholic University of Paris allowed to buy back its premises and to have the rue d'Assas building completed by the same Gabriel Ruprich-Robert in the same style used forty years ago.
Un « Port-Royal laïque » : l'école normale supérieure d'institutrices à Fontenay-aux-Roses
Authors: Le Cœur Marc 
Published: December 2015

"A 'secular Port-Royal' : the Ecole normale supérieure for schoolmistresses in Fontenay-aux- Roses", by Marc Le Cœur.
Founded in 1880, the Ecole de Fontenay was long in one of the key positions in the System of primary éducation ; besides, it is also hère the French higher education opened up to women. Yet, despite its significant part, the institution did not find expression in monumental buildings : it was housed in some ancient buildings during the first years, subsequently by brick buildings looking like a comfortable middle-class house, opened out onto a vast park. Its facilities history was marked by the meeting of two Protestant personalities : the old pastor, Félix Pécaut, who was the "spirit" of the school, and the architect Charles Le Coeur. Year after year, after many plans were wrecked, the second one successfully made the new buildings convey the secular and feminist ideals the first one meant to inculcate in the young girls he was responsible for. Built on simple lines, the Ecole de Fontenay contrasted with the new Sorbonne, erected at the same time. Yet, both of them convey in their own way a certain idea of the Republic.